Irvine, Calif. — Joe Baksha, president and CEO of OSI Creative, a leading provider of global supply chain managed solutions for point-of-purchase (POP) displays, consumer product packaging and branded merchandise programs, will retire on March 31, 2019. He will be succeeded by John Kellogg, chief operating officer of OSI.
News
Atlanta — RaceTrac, one of America’s leading retail, fuel and convenience store destinations, has launched its new franchise program. RT Franchising, Inc. currently has franchise opportunities in the Central Florida cities of Clermont, Mt. Dora and DeLand. RaceTrac has more than 170 locations in Florida.
Topeka, Kan. — Payless ShoeSource will close all 2,100 of its stores in the United States and Puerto Rico as it moves toward liquidation. According to a statement by the company provided to USA Today, which first reported the news on Feb. 15, Payless expects all stores to remain open through March.
Pasadena, Calif. — Kitchen United, the virtual restaurant center for innovative brands building off-premise through pickup and delivery, has made a series of executive team hires to support its national rollout and expansion plans. Kitchen United plans to open 15 kitchen centers by the end of 2019.
Norfolk, Va. — On February 14, 2019, Jersey Mike’s Subs opened in Norfolk, Va., aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in the Main Navy Exchange food court. Franchise owners Martin Anderson and Clark Stallings, along with operating partner Tristan Lee, will celebrate with a fundraiser for The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Atlanta — SRS Real Estate Partners has brokered two new leases for Hobby Lobby in empty Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in greater Atlanta. The first location, the former Toys”R”Us/Babies”R”Us in the Akers Mill Shopping Center in Atlanta, is 58,907 square feet. The second location is in the North Point Market Center in Alpharetta. This location spans 50,275 square feet.
Greensboro, N.C. — Biscuitville Fresh Southern® has named Stephen Swoap creative director. In his role at Biscuitville, he will continue to evolve and elevate the look of the brand and oversee the execution of its visual identity across its media platforms along with experiential branding opportunities to enhance in-restaurant experiences for guests.
Manhattan Beach, Calif. — Skechers USA, Inc., a global footwear leader, has tripled its retail store presence in 5 years and has surpassed the 3,000-store mark with the opening of its new superstore in Shenyang, China — now the brand’s largest store at more than 32,000 square feet.
Denver — Mark Lohmann, a former senior executive with Qdoba Restaurant Group, has been named chief brand officer of REGO Restaurant Group, the fast-casual restaurant platform backed by High Bluff Capital Partners that includes Quiznos and Taco Del Mar. The news follows the recent appointment of President and CEO Tim Casey, as REGO looks to expand its brand portfolio through strategic acquisitions.