Glendale, Calif., and Karachi, Pakistan — Dine Brands Global Inc. has signed a deal with several principals of Gerry’s Group, a leading Pakistan-based logistics and food-and-beverage group, to bring the IHOP brand to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The deal calls for 19 IHOP locations throughout the country over the next 9 years, nine of which will be franchised by the principals of Gerry’s Group with the other 10 sub-franchised. The first location is expected to open in Karachi by the end of 2019 and continues the brand’s expansion into …
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Cincinnati — LSI Industries, Inc. has appointed Nelson Wesley as vice president strategic initiatives. He will oversee initiatives focused on improving sales, driving operational efficiency and ultimately improving financial performance of the company. He will report to the CMO, Scott Coleman. Wesley joins LSI Industries with over 20 years of marketing, sales and product management experience. He started his career at Ingersoll Rand and most recently he served as vice president of sales, marketing and aftermarket, involving direct management of sales, marketing, aftermarket and bid teams at Ellis & Watts …
Orlando, Fla. — Orlando, Fla.-based general contractor Williams Company Southeast has completed Phase I of the 450,000-square-foot Vineland Pointe retail center in Orlando. A joint development effort of O’Connor Capital Partners and LaSalle Investment Management, the center’s initial phase includes Burlington, Marshalls, Ross, plus other major retailers. Located on 69 prime acres near Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, Vineland Pointe was designed by Orlando-based Eleven18 Architecture; the project engineer is Harris Civil Engineers LLC, also based in Orlando. Established in 1920, Williams Company’s operating units include Williams Company Building Division, Williams …
Nashville, Tenn. — J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., owner and operator of a collection of restaurants which includes J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill and selected other restaurants, has promoted Mark A. Parkey to president and CEO, effective May 1, 2019. He will succeed Lonnie J. Stout II, who has been named to a newly created position, executive chairman of the board of directors. Additionally, the company has promoted Jessica L. Hagler to vice president and CFO, also effective May 1. Frank Martire will become lead independent director …
New York City — Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest retail bookseller, has appointed Carlo Pochintesta as chief information officer. Pochintesta joins the company from Rag & Bone Holdings, LLC, where he also served as chief information officer. He will report to Allen Lindstrom, Barnes & Noble’s chief financial officer. “We are so pleased to welcome Carlo to Barnes & Noble, who brings with him decades of leadership in information technology at some of the country’s most respected retailers,” says Lindstrom. “His long and successful track record of innovation …
Atlanta — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the country’s fastest growing Mediterranean fast-casuals, has signed a multi-unit deal to expand its franchise to the Southeast. Franchisees Jay Gill and Patrick Sidhu will bring five locations to the Atlanta area over the next 2 years. Gill and Sidhu are partners in Premier Kings, Inc., the largest BURGER KING® franchise in the country. Starting with six BURGER KING® locations in 2010, their portfolio now includes more than 170 locations, as well as 14 Popeyes® restaurants throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South …
Fremont, Calif. — On March 5, 2019, Jos. A. Bank opened its newly renovated flagship store in New York City. The two-story location at the corner of Madison Avenue and 46th Street spans over 13,800 square feet. The Madison location, originally opened in 1994, has undergone a full transformation. The open concept store boasts 17-foot ceilings, custom furniture and fixtures in rich brown woods, marbled stone tops, brushed copper hardware and antiqued mirrors. Design elements of shields and a map of the city of Baltimore (where the company was founded …
Santa Monica, Calif. — Veggie Grill has partnered with Sodexo Inc., a global provider of food and facilities management, to offer Veggie Grill’s plant-based menu at university campuses. Since its inception in 2006, Veggie Grill has opened 32 locations in California, Oregon, Washington and Illinois. The brand will launch in East Coast markets, including New York City, this year and continue its extensive expansion through partnerships like Sodexo. “We have strategically opened several of our restaurant locations nearby or on college campuses, including UCLA, UC Berkeley and University of Washington,” …
Deerfield Beach, Fla. — Former ALDI development executive Jeffrey Williams has been promoted to executive vice president of development and construction for Konover South, LLC. Having previously served as senior vice president of development, Williams now provides management and oversight for all of Konover South’s development and construction projects. Built on a legacy of family tradition spanning three generations, Konover South continues the successful track record of The Simon Konover Organization, an industry-leading real estate company since 1957. Konover South is a fully integrated acquisition, development and management company operating …
Bethesda, Md. — The National Association of Electrical Contractors (NECA) has appointed T. David Long as chief executive officer. He will officially join the NECA staff on April 1, 2019. “After a national search, the executive committee unanimously selected David Long to serve as CEO,” says Larry Beltramo, chair of the NECA search committee and vice president at large. “David’s experience as an electrical contractor, his current service as NECA president and his unending dedication to advancing our industry make him the ideal leader for NECA at this important moment …