Bolingbrook, Ill. — McDonald’s has announced plans to test CosMc’s, a new smaller format concept featuring a beverage-led menu with new food and drink items. The first location will open this month in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, where the first McDonald’s franchise location opened in 1955. By the end of 2024, the company plans to open 10 pilot locations for the concept, with target markets set to include the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metropolitan areas. CosMc’s will offer digital and drive-thru ordering formats only, with dynamic menu boards, …
News
San Francisco — President & CEO Chip Bergh has decided to retire from Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) as of April 26, 2024. In anticipation of Bergh’s retirement, the company’s board of directors has elected Michelle Gass, currently the company’s president, to succeed Bergh as president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 29, 2024, completing the transition plan announced on Nov. 8, 2022. In addition, the board has elected Bergh as executive vice chair of the board until his retirement date. Thereafter, Bergh will transition to the role of senior …
Charlotte, N.C. — Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has appointed Caren Prince as chief financial officer. Prince, who formerly held executive roles at both Krispy Kreme and Mars Inc., succeeds now-retired Firebirds CFO Christopher Olson. Earlier this year, Firebirds was acquired and re-capitalized by Garnett Station Partners, a New York-based principal investment firm that manages over $2 billion of assets. The award-winning restaurant concept operates 58 restaurants in 20 states and has aggressive growth plans, which Prince’s strategic financial expertise will help fuel. “Caren brings a brilliant and unique perspective to …
North Plainfield, N.J. — Levin Management Corporation (LMC) has added Greg Tocco as executive vice president. He brings more than 20 years of broad industry and leadership experience to this key senior management role at the North Plainfield, N.J.-based commercial real estate services firm. Prior to joining LMC, Tocco was executive vice president of asset services at Metro Commercial. He previously held positions at Seritage Growth Properties and Rait Financial Trust. Tocco is overseeing LMC’s property operations, accounting and lease administration, and will be integral in implementing corporate growth initiatives …
Atlanta — AutoZone, Inc., the leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, has expanded its partnership with RELEX Solutions, provider of unified supply chain and retail planning solutions. AutoZone began upgrading its distribution center (DC) capabilities in 2019 with the highly configurable forecasting and replenishment capabilities provided by RELEX. Based on the successful implementation and results across the U.S. and Mexico, AutoZone has now decided to implement RELEX to support its DC operations in Brazil. This expansion is a part of AutoZone’s efforts to streamline its …
Atlanta — Huddle House has named Blain Shortreed as its new brand president. Shortreed is a career restaurant professional with more than 30 years of experience leading top brands, most recently as CEO of Long John Silver’s. As Huddle House brand president, he will oversee company operations, the franchise system, marketing and culinary innovation. “We are thrilled to welcome Blain to the Ascent Hospitality Management senior executive team as he assumes leadership of the Huddle House system,” says James O’Reilly, chief executive officer for Ascent Hospitality Management®. “He brings extensive …
Addison, Ill. — Parts Town, the technology innovator and market-leading distributor of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) foodservice equipment parts, has expanded its Same Day Delivery service, now available from over 125 Parts In Town locations across the U.S. Parts Town’s Same Day Delivery is designed to provide customers with lightning-fast order fulfillment, aiming for delivery within 2 hours or less from the time of order placement. When shopping on partstown.com, customers will now find a “Same Day Delivery” shipping option available for eligible items within a 20-mile radius of local …
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Fairfax Market, a new neighborhood market by Meijer, will open in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, on Jan. 16, 2024. Fairfax Market is the retailer’s first small-format neighborhood market outside of Michigan. The new 40,000-square-foot market is part of a mixed-use neighborhood revitalization project being developed in partnership with the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic, the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation and Fairmount Properties. Located in the Cleveland Innovation District, Fairfax Market will contribute to creating a healthier community by addressing food insecurity, supporting economic development …
New York City — Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil, has signed a lease agreement for its fourth New York City location joining existing restaurants in Midtown Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn at City Point (opening soon). The new 5,009-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open in 2024 at The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, the largest shopping complex in Manhattan with 125 retail shops. Located at the corner of Church and Cortland streets with convenient street-level access, the restaurant will offer a new dining experience to the 10 …
Bolingbrook, Ill. — Scott Settersten has informed Ulta Beauty of his decision to retire as chief financial officer, treasurer and assistant secretary after nearly 20 years with the company, effective April 1, 2024. Paula Oyibo, senior vice president of finance, will succeed Settersten as CFO and will report to Dave Kimbell, chief executive officer. “Scott has had a tremendous impact on Ulta Beauty as a key member of our leadership team and a passionate steward of our business for nearly two decades,” say Kimbell. “From his early days of supporting …