Solon, Ohio — Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, has appointed Winn Everhart to president and CEO of Tarkett North America. Eric Daliere, previously president and CEO of Tarkett Sports and Tarkett’s flooring division in North America, plans to leave the company. Since Daliere took the reins of Tarkett North America in mid-2020, the turnaround has been well established, and growth has resumed significantly. In addition to Everhart, Tarkett has welcomed Eddy Schmitt, formerly with Steelcase, to its team as president and CEO …
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Tucson, Ariz. — Quiznos is returning to Tucson, Ariz., with a new restaurant opening near the University of Arizona campus as part of a blockbuster deal calling for 30 new locations to open in Arizona over the next 5 to 7 years. This is the first new full-menu Quiznos in Arizona since 2010, and it comes with exciting new features like a drive-thru — only the second Quiznos in the U.S. to have one. The Tucson location had a soft opening on Sept. 26, with a grand opening planned for …
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer has surpassed its industry-leading 2025 sustainability goal of cutting carbon emissions by 50% — one year ahead of schedule. The retailer set a target to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2018 levels. The target has not only been met but surpassed, achieving a 57% reduction in 2023. The retailer credits its clear plan, senior leader involvement and the dedication of its team members. “At Meijer, we understand that to be a good company, we must be a …
Athens, Ga. — This year, Jittery Joe’s Coffee is celebrating 30 years in business. The specialty coffee roaster, based in Athens, Ga., is also now launching franchise opportunities for a new drive-thru model. Jittery Joe’s Coffee’s new drive-thru concept stands out by maintaining a smaller footprint, offering lower labor costs and enhancing efficiency. “As demand for coffee and energy continues to rise, savvy investments are shifting toward the smaller-footprint, drive-thru-only coffee model,” says Drew French, co-owner of Jittery Joe’s Franchising. “Our new drive-thru concept is poised to capitalize on these …
Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s, America’s largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, has opened 10 new stores in Texas. The new locations, all former 99₵ Stores, will bring even more brand name bargains to the Dallas, Houston, McAllen and San Antonio markets. “We are incredibly excited to open 10 more stores in the great state of Texas where the folks have been so good to us,” says John Swygert, chief executive officer of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. “With the closing of 99₵ Stores throughout the state, we’re thrilled to provide …
Pasadena, Calif. — IHOP®, a leader in the family dining restaurant sector, has announced that Jay Johns will retire after 16 years at Dine Brands and nearly 6 years as president of IHOP. Johns will step down from his role on January 6, 2025, but will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity until March 2025. Lawrence Kim, previously chief innovation officer at YUM! Brands, has been appointed president designee, effective October 21, 2024, and will assume the title of IHOP president on January 6, 2025. Since joining …
Orlando, Fla. — Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions (Filta), an industry leader in providing efficient, environmentally forward services to commercial kitchens, has reached a significant milestone: the recycling of 1 billion pounds of used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. This achievement underscores Filta’s commitment to sustainability and its innovative solutions that have transformed tens of thousands of commercial and restaurant kitchens across North America since the brand began franchising in 2002. Filta’s unique service model enhances commercial kitchen operations by micro-filtering cooking oil, deep cleaning fryers and offering bin-free waste oil …
Batavia, Ill. — ALDI SOUTH Group has a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, making it one of the first international grocery retailers with net-zero emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies to play their part in combating the climate crisis and set GHG emissions reduction targets in line with what is needed to mitigate global warming. As a part of ALDI SOUTH Group and one of America’s …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., a leading global franchising company and parent company of 18 brands including Twin Peaks, has opened the first converted Smokey Bones location to Twin Peaks in Lakeland, Fla. Since acquiring Smokey Bones last year, FAT Brands has identified a select number of Smokey Bones locations to convert to its fastest-growing brand, Twin Peaks. The global restaurant franchising company has identified this strategy as a key growth pillar for the brand and currently has a pipeline of approximately 30 Smokey Bones locations …
Salisbury, N.C. and Minneapolis — Recognizing the importance of collaboration across the value chain, Ahold Delhaize USA and General Mills have teamed up to create an innovative approach to address Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions within their shared value chain. Through co-investments in priority supply sheds — or geographic growing regions where key ingredients are sourced — the two companies will support farmers as they adopt regenerative farming practices. Utilizing expertise from Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC), a nonprofit member-based consortium, farmers will receive technical and financial support to implement …