Chicago — Craveworthy Brands, an innovative, multi-brand restaurant platform, has appointed its first in-house general counsel, John Silvestri, J.D. With over 25 years of experience, Silvestri’s addition to the team strengthens Craveworthy’s goal to build a comprehensive legal framework that enhances operational resilience, supports partner success and drives the company’s vision forward. As general counsel, Silvestri will oversee corporate governance, franchise compliance, M&A negotiation and risk management across Craveworthy’s expanding portfolio of legacy brands and emerging concepts. “John’s expertise and leadership will be a game-changer for Craveworthy as we redefine …
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Santa Clara, Calif. — Legion Technologies, an innovator in workforce management (WFM), has formed a new partnership with Bealls Inc., a family-owned, privately-held retailer with stores in 22 states. Bealls Inc. will leverage Legion’s AI-native workforce management platform in demand forecasting, automated scheduling, time and attendance tracking, and frontline communications to improve the employee experience for associates across the company’s 650 retail locations. Headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., Bealls Inc. operates under the names bealls, Bealls Florida and Home Centric. The 110-year-old retailer’s longevity is based on the motto “outfitting families …
Newport Beach, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its 1,000th Chipotlane restaurant on Nov. 21. Located in the Kansas City metro area, in Olathe, Kan., the milestone restaurant features the company’s signature digital order drive-thru pickup lane. Of the company’s more than 3,600 restaurants in its real estate portfolio, nearly 30% feature a Chipotlane. “Chipotlanes are a critical piece of our long term growth goal of reaching 7,000 restaurants in North America,” says Chris Brandt, chief brand officer. “This restaurant format is the fastest way for fans to get Chipotle …
Atlanta — Pet parents can now book pet care services, including grooming, training, daycare and boarding for their pups at the first Atlanta location of Skiptown, the upscale off-leash dog park, social club and pet care concept. Skiptown Kirkwood will be hosting its grand opening event in December, including the debut of the dog park + restaurant and social club areas. Daycare: A stay in Skiptown’s daycare includes a schedule packed with play, so pet parents don’t have to worry while they’re away. Daycare pups are separated into play groups …
Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken is enhancing operational capabilities with the integration of Qu’s unified commerce platform. Designed to streamline the brand’s expanding network, Qu’s real-time data management and offline resiliency with Edge computing provide a critical upgrade to the brand’s in-store processes, ensuring seamless operational and guest experiences across locations. “Qu has been a game-changer for us because it provides an easy-to-connect API that allows us to push and pull data in real time,” says Leon Davoyan, chief technology officer of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Its flexibility and stability …
Lakeland, Fla. — According to Publix Super Markets CEO Kevin Murphy, Doug Stalbaum has been promoted to vice president of finance, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He joined the company in 2019 as director of business analysis and reporting, and was promoted to his current role, vice president and controller, in 2022. Prior to joining Publix, Stalbaum was a senior audit manager at an accounting firm for 8 years, senior director and controller at a restaurant chain for 6 years and director of finance at a furniture retailer for 3 years. …
Manasquan, N.J. — Private equity funds managed by Blackstone have agreed to acquire a majority ownership position in Jersey Mike’s Subs. The deal would value the Manasquan, N.J.-based sandwich restaurant chain at around $8 billion, including debt, according to The Wall Street Journal. Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will maintain a significant equity stake and continue to lead the business. Blackstone says the partnership is intended to help Jersey Mike’s accelerate its expansion across and beyond the U.S. market, as well as its continued investment in technology and …
Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart Inc. announces third-quarter results with strong growth in revenue and operating income. Globally, e-commerce grew 27% with penetration up across all segments. Walmart U.S. comp sales are up 5.3% with positive growth in general merchandise. Looking ahead, the company raises its guidance for fiscal year 25 with net sales expected to grow 4.8% to 5.1% and adjusted operating income to grow 8.5% to 9.25% in constant currency (cc). “We had a strong quarter, continuing our momentum,” says Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart. “Our associates are …
San Diego — Former CFO Lance Tucker is returning to Jack in the Box Inc., again as chief financial officer, effective Jan. 13, 2025. Tucker is currently chief financial officer of Davidson Hospitality Group, while having also served as CFO at CKE Restaurants Inc. and Papa John’s International, Inc. Tucker succeeds Brian Scott, who resigned from the company on Nov. 20. Tucker served as CFO of Jack in the Box Inc. from March 2018 to July 2020, during which he played an instrumental role in implementing the company’s securitization, while …
Savannah, Ga. — The board of directors of Citi Trends Inc. has appointed Kenneth (Ken) Seipel as chief executive officer, effective Nov. 18, 2024. Seipel has been serving as the interim CEO of Citi Trends since June 1, 2024, and on the board of directors since 2019. Concurrently, the board appointed Peter Sachse, the current executive chairman of the board, as chairman of the board. In addition, the company is announcing preliminary Q3 2024 results with sales of $179.1 million and comparable store sales growth of 5.7% vs. Q3 2023. …