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La-Z-Boy Opens Renovated Showroom at High Point Market, Names CFO Succession

by Katie Lee

High Point, N.C., and Monroe, Mich. — La-Z-Boy Incorporated has opened a newly renovated showroom at High Point Market in Furniture Plaza, High Point, N.C. In addition, Bob Lucian, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will retire at the end of the fiscal year, effective April 26, 2025. Taylor Luebke, vice president, finance and treasurer, will succeed Lucian on January 1, 2025. Luebke joined La-Z-Boy Incorporated in 2021 and has held roles of increasing responsibility, most recently working in close partnership with the CFO. Lucian joined La-Z-Boy Incorporated in …

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franchise developmentkitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Killer Burger Partners with Toast to Enhance Operations

by Katie Lee

Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a fast-growing better burger concept, has implemented technology to increase its operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The company has launched a test with Toast on self-serving kiosks that allows guests to browse the menu, customize their orders and pay at their own pace — reducing wait times and improving the overall guest experience. Killer Burgers has also launched Toast’s Kitchen Display System to streamline back-of-house operations. Since implementing Toast’s Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), and launching its single-ticket flow operating system, Killer Burger has cut its …

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Zaxbys Debuts in New Jersey with Plans for First 6 Locations

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Zaxbys™, a rapidly expanding Georgia-based QSR franchise, plans to open its first-ever location in New Jersey. The first two locations, set to open in South Jersey in summer 2025, mark the beginning of a major expansion into the Garden State. This ambitious move is being made by the GSP Group, led by Premanand Gupta, a longtime New Jersey resident. Currently, the GSP Group has signed on to open six Zaxbys locations across south, central and north New Jersey, with plans to open more in the future. Its first …

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Costco Partners with Electric Era to Rapidly Roll Out EV Charging

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Accelerating the pace of electric vehicle charging, Electric Era, an end-to-end EV charging solution partner, has entered into an EV fast-charging station deployment with fellow Washington state native Costco Wholesale Corporation. The partnership sets an industry-leading pace with just 7 weeks between contract signature to station launch. As EV charging rapidly becomes an essential business objective for retailers, Costco faced a critical challenge: while industry-standard EV infrastructure projects typically take years, the retailer needed a rapid deployment solution for its new Ridgefield, Wash., store that could meet local …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smalls Sliders Opens Up 6 New States for Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Smalls Sliders, known for its innovative modular restaurant design, has named six new states that are now open for franchise development: Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia. The brand now has active development across 30 states. In addition to its expansion into these new states, Smalls Sliders has officially sold out in eight states, with Arizona and Georgia being the latest states to sell our initial phase development. These states join Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi, which sold out initial phase development earlier …

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Newspeopleretailers

PetSmart Names New Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — PetSmart LLC, a leading omnichannel pet retailer, has appointed Ken Hicks as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 31, 2024. Hicks will also serve on the board of directors. He joins the company from Academy Sports + Outdoors. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I am thrilled to welcome Ken Hicks to PetSmart,” says Raymond Svider, chairman of the board of directors of PetSmart and chairman of BC Partners. “His depth and breadth of retail experience, visionary leadership and proven track record of creating shareholder …

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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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