News

Katy, Texas — Academy Sports + Outdoors, a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, has opened its first store in Ohio. Located in Zanesville, the approximately 54,000-square-foot store marks the third store Academy has opened in 2024. Academy plans to continue its expansion efforts with the goal of opening 15-17 stores in its fiscal 2024 year, and a total of 160 to 180 new stores over the next 5 years. “Academy Sports + Outdoors is excited to join the Zanesville community and provide customers with a destination that …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Orlando, Fla.-based seafood restaurant chain plans to sell its business to an entity formed and controlled by its existing lenders. Red Lobster, which was founded in 1968 and operates some 600 restaurants across North America, has received a $100 million debtor-in-possession financing commitment from its existing lenders to facilitate this plan. The company stated that it would use the financing and bankruptcy proceedings to drive …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Dallas — At Home Group Inc. has named Brad Weston as chief executive officer, effective June 3. Weston brings more than three decades of experience in retail; most recently, he was chief executive officer of Party City Holdings Inc. Previously, Weston served in leadership roles for Petco, including as president and CEO from 2017-2018 and president and chief merchandising officer from 2015-2017 and executive vice president and chief merchandising officer from 2011-2015. “We are excited to welcome Brad, a proven leader with a distinguished track record of transforming and scaling …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Columbus, Ohio — Sbarro, a leading global pizza brand known for its Original New York Style Slices and Strombolis, has appointed Mario Bojorquez as its new president, North America. He joins Sbarro from Restaurant Brands International. “Mario is a talented restaurant executive with a proven track record of results and a solid understanding of franchising in our industry,” says David Karam, Sbarro CEO and chairman of the board.” He is a great cultural fit for Sbarro. His strong people focus and industry expertise will complement the experience and skills of …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Los Angeles — 911 Restoration has experienced significant early 2024 growth, with new franchise locations set to open in 10 new territories by the end of the second quarter. After onboarding its new executive director of franchise development, Ken Sussex, the restoration brand has been signed new franchise agreements in California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Tennessee, and plans are in place for further expansion across the East Coast and Midwest.  “We are proud to see the impact our brand is making, and the interest we are …

2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. — Wawa, Inc. has opened its first store in the state of North Carolina. Located in Kill Devil Hills, this is the first of nine Wawa stores slated to open in North Carolina before the end of summer and 10 by year’s end. “We are excited to fly into North Carolina and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience and service to this state for the very first time. This historic milestone kicks off our ongoing growth and expansion in North Carolina as …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Toronto — Restaurant Brands International Inc., the Toronto-based parent company of Burger King, has completed its previously announced acquisition of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the largest Burger King® franchisee in the United States, for approximately $1 billion in an all-cash transaction. The company will invest a further $500 million to accelerate the reimaging of more than 600 Carrols restaurants before refranchising the majority of the acquired portfolio to new or existing smaller franchise operators over the next 7 years. Carrols is one of the largest restaurant franchisees in North America. …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Los Angeles — BH Properties, a vertically integrated, value-add real estate investment company, has named retail expert Greg Sullivan managing director of the company’s retail properties division. Sullivan comes to BH Properties from Brookfield Properties, where he was vice president of big box leasing/development with a primary focus on large format entertainment, big box, junior anchor, restaurant transactions and vacant anchor store re-development. For the past 6 months, Sullivan has been operating as a retail consultant to BH Properties, advising the firm on several mixed-use retail acquisitions, most notably the …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Atlanta — Perkins Restaurant & Bakery®, a family-dining restaurant serving homestyle comfort classics and fresh-from-the-oven pies since 1958, has signed a groundbreaking 10-unit development deal, marking Perkins’ first foray into California. “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as we introduce Perkins to the vibrant state of California,” says Peter Ortiz, chief operating officer of Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. “This expansion represents a huge milestone for our brand, and we are confident that our timeless concept and exceptional dining experience will resonate deeply with Californians.” Confirmed locations for …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Boston — Gordon Brothers has begun store closing sales at select Ted Baker locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including outlets. Store closing sales are also underway at eight Brooks Brothers and seven Lucky Brand retail locations in Canada. Ted Baker, a retailer of men’s and women’s high-end designer clothing and accessories, is closing 31 retail stores in the U.S. and nine stores in Canada. Ted Baker Canada, which conducts business operations for Ted Baker in Canada, Ted Baker Limited in the United States, Brooks Brothers in Canada and Lucky …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail