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WHP Global to Bring Toys”R”Us® Shop-in-Shops to 30 WHSmith Stores in the UK

by Katie Lee

New York City — WHP Global (WHP), parent company of Toys”R”Us®, has signed a long term license agreement with leading global retailer WHSmith as the exclusive shop-in-shop partner for Toys”R”Us in the United Kingdom. WHSmith will have the exclusive license for Toys”R”Us shop-in-shops in its High Street stores, including opening 30 new shops this summer. Following the successful launch of Toys”R”Us shop-in-shops in select WHSmith stores last year, this partnership is part of WHP Global’s mission to expand the presence of Toys”R”Us across the UK retail landscape. “We’ve got off …

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Blackstone Agrees to Acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe for Nearly $2 Billion

by Katie Lee

Atlanta and New York City — Private equity giant Blackstone has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a franchiser of fast-casual restaurants, from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. The deal values the Atlanta-based smoothie chain at around $2 billion, including debt, according to The Wall Street Journal. Tropical Smoothie Cafe began as a single location in Destin, Fla., in 1997. The chain has grown to more than 1,400 locations in 44 states today. The company opened more than 175 locations in 2023, 70% of which were …

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Kroger, Albertsons to Sell 166 Additional Stores in $2.9B Divestiture Agreement Ahead of Proposed Merger

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati and Boise, Idaho — Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. plan to sell an additional 166 grocery stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers in a divestiture package. This marks an amendment to an existing agreement with the buyer, which will now acquire a total of 579 stores in a $2.9 billion deal. The original divestiture package was announced in September of last year, in connection with a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. In February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to block Kroger’s $24.6 billion …

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CAP Hires New National Sales Executive

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — Commercial Asset Preservation, LLC (CAP), a Salt Lake City-based service provider established in 2009 to operate a network of independent commercial contractors throughout the United States, has hired Ryan Alford as a national sales executive. Most recently, he was a national sales executive with Midwest Gloves, Inc., the leading glove producer in the U.S. “Mr. Alford will make a significant impact on our organization and the needs of our customers,” says Marc Insul, president and COO at CAP. “His decades of sales, property management and insurance …

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Flynn Group to Open 25 New Applebee’s Restaurants in the U.S.

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Applebee’s recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next 7 years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings. “After 44 years as the neighborhood dining destination in America, this agreement reinforces the confidence in the Applebee’s brand from our largest franchisee — and the largest franchise operator in the world — Flynn Group,” says Tony Moralejo, …

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Newsretailers

JD Sports to Acquire Hibbett, Inc. for $1.1 Billion

by Katie Lee

Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, has entered into a definitive merger agreement in which JD Sports Fashion plc will acquire Hibbett for $1.1 billion. Following the closing of the transaction, Hibbett will join the JD Sports family of athletic footwear and fashion retail brands and will cease to be a publicly traded company. Mike Longo will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer, while Jared Briskin will take on the role of chief operating officer of Hibbett. Hibbett will maintain its corporate headquarters in …

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LSI Industries Acquires EMI Industries, Expanding Store Fixtures and Foodservice Equipment Business

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S. based manufacturer of commercial lighting and display solutions, has completed its acquisition of privately held EMI Industries for an all-cash purchase price of $50 million. EMI is one of the largest privately held retail fixture and food equipment companies in the North America. Florida-based EMI is an award-winning metal and millwork manufacturer of standard and customized fixtures, displays and food equipment for the convenience store, grocery and restaurant industries. For more than 40 years, EMI has worked closely with customers to develop …

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Noodles & Company Plans to Open 10 Locations in Oregon by 2030

by Katie Lee

Broomfield, Colo. — Noodles & Company, a national fast-casual chain known for its globally inspired noodle bowls, has signed a deal with DND Group Inc. to immediately acquire six restaurant locations and open a total of 10 new restaurants to the Portland, Ore., area. The first location will open in 2025. Dara Dejbakhsh, president and CEO at DND Group Inc., is a long-time restaurant operator with over 43 years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industry. Founded in 2007, DND Group Inc. operates 56 restaurants across nine states. Its …

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Newsretailers

Wayfair Sets Grand Opening Date for its First Physical Store

by Katie Lee

Boston — Wayfair Inc. has set the grand opening date for its very first large-format, brick-and-mortar store on May 23, 2024. The 150,000-square-foot store, located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Ill., is a one-stop-shop for all things home — including furniture, home décor, housewares and home improvement products, for any style space or budget. The inaugural Wayfair store also has an onsite restaurant, The Porch. Wayfair is a destination for all things home, in one inspiring place. The Wayfair family of brands includes Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main, …

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Smalls Sliders® Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Smalls Sliders has appointed industry veteran Julie Hauser-Blanner as its chief operating officer. In her new role, Hauser-Blanner will oversee all aspects of the brand’s daily operations, driving strategic initiatives to elevate efficiency, scalability and overall performance. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in multi-unit, multi-brand, global hospitality and restaurant companies, Hauser-Blanner brings a wealth of experience to the brand’s growing executive leadership team. Having most recently served as chief franchise officer at European Wax Center, Hauser-Blanner was responsible for all growth, strategy and support functions …

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