Seattle — REI has designed its new distribution center to be net zero energy and is pursuing LEED Platinum — the highest level in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) rating system. Situated in the Arizona desert, the facility is intended to be one of the world’s most sustainable distribution centers.
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Dallas — Rave Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Pie Five Pizza Co. and Pizza Inn, has hired Brett Heinen as the new director of franchise development. In this role, Heinen will be tasked with maintaining a robust development pipeline for both Pie Five and Pizza Inn as the brands look to expand in new and existing markets across the country.
San Diego — Petco’s chairman and CEO, Jim Myers, a 26-year company veteran and CEO since 2004, will be retiring. As part of Petco’s long term succession plan, the company’s president and chief merchant, Brad Weston, who joined Petco in 2011, will succeed Myers as CEO as of February 1, 2017.
Broomfield, Colo. — Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom has signed franchise development agreements with three of its existing franchise partners to open nearly two dozen new restaurants. These agreements will grow Old Chicago’s footprint across eight states, including Tennessee, South Carolina, Montana, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi.
Batavia, Ill. — Leading grocery retailer ALDI has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its environmentally sustainable distribution center and regional headquarters in Moreno Valley, Calif.
Boston — Toast Restaurant POS, the all-in-one restaurant technology platform, has partnered with Pieology Pizzeria, a leader in the fast-casual pizza segment, to serve as the company’s point-of-sale (POS) platform. The agreement includes Pieology’s nearly 130 restaurants currently in operation as well as future locations, which are expected to reach more than 200 units by 2017.
Boca Raton, Fla. — Office Depot, Inc. intends to sell its European business to The AURELIUS Group. Office Depot had previously disclosed its intention to explore strategic alternatives regarding its European business, under a process that began earlier this year.
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has named David Hoffmann as president of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. and Canada, effective October 3, 2016. He will report to Nigel Travis, chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands, and will serve on the leadership team.
Cleveland — ABCO Fire Protection is celebrating the relocation of its southern Kentucky shop into the city of Bowling Green. After 19 years in Smith’s Grove, Ky., Superior Fire & Safety (a division of ABCO) has relocated to 300 Lowe Ave. in the heart of Kentucky’s third-largest city.