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Slim Chickens Inks 12-Unit Franchise Agreement for Georgia and South Carolina

by Katie Lee

Savannah, Ga. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, has signed a multi-unit agreement with Southeast Slims Hospitality LLC to develop 12 restaurants across the eastern section of Georgia, including Savannah and Augusta, and the western section of South Carolina. The first location is slated to open in first quarter 2021. “Our team was completely taken aback by the Slim Chickens brand when we were first introduced. It seemed like a no-brainer to join such a dynamic concept,” says Casey …

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Loves Furniture & Mattresses Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

by Katie Lee

Warren, Mich. — Loves Furniture & Mattresses, owned by Dallas-based private equity firm U.S. Assets Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early January amid struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loves was formed in April of this year and acquired 27 Art Van Furniture locations across Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and Maryland in May. That deal did not include the stores’ underlying real estate, which had already been sold off, according to reports by the Detroit Free Press. The company also opened or acquired 13 additional …

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Starbucks Details CFO Succession Plan

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks Corporation has announced that, after a more than 35-year career in finance, Patrick Grismer has decided to retire from his position as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective February 1, 2021. Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance, Americas, and a 16-year Starbucks partner, will succeed Grismer as executive vice president and CFO, effective February 1, 2021. Ruggeri will report to Kevin Johnson, Starbucks’ president and chief executive officer. Grismer will remain with the company as an advisor to Johnson through May 2, 2021, …

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Biscuitville Promotes From Within to Name New CEO

by Katie Lee

Greensboro, N.C. — Kathie S. Niven, who joined Greensboro, N.C.-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern® in 2011 and became president in early 2018, has taken on an additional role as the company’s chief executive officer. Burney Jennings, who was formerly Biscuitville’s CEO, will become executive chair. “Kathie has tremendous passion and a deep knowledge of Biscuitville and its culture, and she’s fully prepared to assume the role of chief executive officer,” says Jennings (pictured at right). “Biscuitville has thrived under Kathie’s leadership as president during the last several years, and I’m thrilled …

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Macy’s to Shutter 45 More Locations, Including Longtime Store at Chicago’s Water Tower Place

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Macy’s will close its longtime department store at Water Tower Place in Chicago, according to several media reports. The downtown mall is situated on the Magnificent Mile. Macy’s will begin a clearance sale this month at the 170,000-square-foot store. The retailer will continue to operate nearby stores in Skokie, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Orland Park, Ill. In early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Macy’s announced that it would close 125 stores nationwide over a 3-year period in an effort to right-size its store fleet. During the first week …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Burger King® Undergoing First Complete Rebrand in Over 20 Years

by Katie Lee

Miami — Burger King® is introducing a completely new visual design that will be present throughout all touchpoints of the guest experience. Inspired by real and delicious food, the more modern look marks the first complete rebrand in over 20 years. The announcement signals a commitment to digital-first expression and recent improvements to taste and food quality, through the removal of colors, flavors and preservatives from artificial sources from menu items, as well as an ambitious pledge to environmental sustainability. The brand will be rolling out a new brand logo, …

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Westwood Contractors Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Westwood Contractors has added Stefan Figley as chief executive officer, a role he officially assumed on December 7, 2020. Robert D. Benda, who has served as CEO since 2005, will continue with the company as chairman of the board. Figley, a Certified Franchise Executive, has more than 24 years of experience employing his strategic vision focusing on the key metrics driving EBITDA performance and multimillion-dollar revenue growth. Westwood Contractors is a general contractor with 37 years of experience providing general contracting services for retail, healthcare, hospitality, …

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Bed Bath & Beyond Appoints Retail/Brand Veteran as GM of buybuy BABY

by Katie Lee

Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has named Patty Wu as senior vice president and general manager for buybuy BABY, effective January 18. Wu will report to John Hartmann, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and president of buybuy BABY. Wu will be responsible for growing buybuy BABY and its customer base by executing a six-point strategy and capital investment plan that was outlined during the company’s recent Investor Day. The strategy will include extending the product range to include items for young …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Ruby Red’s BBQ, Designed by Oculus, to Debut in Los Angeles

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Ruby Red’s BBQ, a new Texas-style barbeque restaurant, will be coming to Los Angeles in April 2021. The restaurant is owned by Steve Williamson of Ruby Red’s, Majestic Retail Group and Williamson General Contracting; Oculus Inc., a full-service architecture and interior design firm based in St. Louis, is designing the fast-casual restaurant that has a high-end feel. “We were thrilled when Steve chose Oculus to design his first restaurant,” says Brian Kern, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, principal and retail director at Oculus Inc. “We have a …

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MARQUE Luxury Continues U.S. Expansion with New Location in New York City

by Katie Lee

New York City — MARQUE Luxury, the wholesale industry’s leading authority in authentic pre-owned designer goods, has opened its New York City showroom located at 261 5th Ave. in Manhattan. MARQUE’s New York City showroom is the first in the Northeast and third East Coast location. The opening will also add a new business development manager/account manager to MARQUE’s corporate team, continuing the company’s aggressive expansion plans in the United States ahead of the New Year and adding talented, experienced, industry veterans to its roster. Throughout the U.S. and online, …

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