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Red Lobster Names New CFO

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster® has appointed Bob Baker as chief financial officer (CFO). A seasoned leader with diverse experience across full-service, fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands, Baker will report to CEO Damola Adamolekun as part of the company’s executive leadership team. “Bob brings not only deep financial expertise but also a passion for restaurant operations,” says Adamolekun. “His wealth of experience gained across the restaurant industry, combined with his hands-on approach, will be invaluable as we continue to position Red Lobster for long term growth. Bob thrives on the …

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Arhaus Opens First Showroom in the State of Oklahoma

by Katie Lee

Boston Heights, Ohio — Arhaus, a leader in artisan-crafted furniture and home décor, has opened a new 17,000-square-foot showroom in Oklahoma City at OAK, the new mixed-use luxury development that opened in September. This showroom, which opened on Oct. 18, marks the brand’s first location in Oklahoma, with the nearest showrooms more than 200 miles away in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Arhaus is an anchor tenant of the new center. Founded in 1986, Arhaus is a rapidly growing lifestyle brand and omni-channel retailer of premium home furnishings. With more …

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TOGO’S Sandwiches Appoints CFO to CEO

by Katie Lee

Campbell, Calif. — TOGO’S Sandwiches, a beloved West Coast sandwich chain, has appointed its chief financial officer, Matt Dowling, to CEO following Glenn Lunde’s decision to step down. Lunde’s leadership helped position the brand for growth, and Dowling will follow suit in overseeing overall operations, set strategic goals, focus on growing unit count and drive financial performance while continuing his role as CFO. Dowling has more than 40 years of experience leading operations, company finances, analyzing financial data to guide strategic decisions, managing risks and communicating financial performance to stakeholders. …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Ballard Designs Opens First Store in Alabama

by Katie Lee

Birmingham, Ala. — On Oct. 21, leading furniture design retailer Ballard Designs opened its first Alabama location in downtown Birmingham’s historic Hardwick Building. “Our beautiful new store [is] a playground for home decorators,” says Karen Mooney, president of Ballard Designs. “Birmingham [now has] an exciting, go-to source for home decor as vibrant and colorful as the murals that help make downtown a magnet for art and design lovers.” Situated along the popular Rotary Trail, Ballard’s newest location occupies the renovated Hardwick Building’s street level with restaurants and other businesses filling …

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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Names New President, COO

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® has made two leadership appointments. Patrick Kirk, previously chief marketing officer, has been named president, in addition to his marketing role. Marshall Claycamp, previously executive director of operations services for IHOP, has been named chief operations officer for Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. In these new and expanded roles, Kirk will continue to define the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop experience, guide the brand’s future growth and manage all organizational aspects. Claycamp will lead all operations and franchise restaurant operations for the brand. “Patrick is no stranger to the …

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construction and designNewsretailers

REI Co-op To Open 6 New Stores in 2025

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op has announced its lineup of 2025 store openings, with a sneak peek into 2026. Stores will open in six communities next spring and summer, including the California cities of Carlsbad, Chico and Elk Grove as well as in Amherst, N.Y; Durango, Colo.; and Lynnwood, Wash. REI also intends to open in Prosper, Texas, in 2026, which will join a previously announced St. George, Utah, store. Additional stores for 2026 will be announced as leases are finalized. “Cities that will have new stores represent …

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Lamps Plus Names New Chief Digital Officer

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Lamps Plus, a leading home specialty lighting retailer, has hired Richard Hoalst as chief digital officer in a newly created role. Reporting to CEO Jason Goldberger, Hoalst will lead the transformation of the company’s digital commerce efforts across website, marketing, creative and marketplaces. He joins the company from Guitar Center. Hoalst joins the company with nearly 30 years of diverse leadership experience overseeing e-commerce, marketing and merchandising teams across iconic brands in a variety of industries. Most recently, he served as executive vice president – chief customer …

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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Appoints Industry Veteran as Franchise Sales Manager

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the leading global specialty coffee and tea house, has appointed seasoned industry executive Cory Davenport as its new franchise sales manager. Davenport will be responsible for driving brand awareness and spearheading the company’s franchise expansion efforts across North America. He joins the company from Panera. Working alongside Michelle Reap, senior manager of franchise development, Davenport will focus on strategically communicating the brand’s value proposition to potential franchisees, highlighting its attractive and scalable business model. He will also manage franchise candidate recruitment …

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Rural King Opens its First Store in the State of Georgia

by Katie Lee

Mattoon, Ill. — In mid-October, Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, opened its newest store in Bainbridge, Ga. — marking its first in the Peach State. With a legacy spanning over six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Bainbridge store location, located at 1615 E. Shotwell St., uses innovative features designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkouts, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King’s customer service. “Rural King is excited to …

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Smoothie King Sees Highest Single-Quarter Growth in 6 Years

by Katie Lee

Dallas — During the third quarter, Smoothie King has reported 38 new store commitments and 28 new store openings across 16 states, marking the highest number of store openings in a single quarter in 6 years and the second highest in its history. Key milestones this quarter included expansions into two new states (New Hampshire and Delaware); the grand opening of a new Austin, Texas, location (the first in the area in 3 years); a flagship store opening at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport; and the opening of two new stores …

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