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Indianapolis — Leading sports retailer Lids has appointed Greg Cox as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO). Cox, who has been with Lids for 8 years, has held a variety of accounting and finance leadership roles. In his new position, he will oversee the company’s finance, loss prevention, human resources and information technology departments. “Greg’s deep understanding of Lids’ operations and financial strategy, combined with his leadership experience, makes him uniquely suited to take on this critical role,” says Bob Durda, president of Lids. “His vision for simplifying and …

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Arlington, Va. — Golden Corral®, the nation’s largest buffet restaurant chain, is evolving beyond its in-store dining roots with a full-scale technology transformation. Partnering with Qu, Golden Corral has launched an advanced cloud-based platform that modernizes operations, expands digital ordering and sets the stage for long term growth. Founded in 1973, Golden Corral Corporation and its franchisees operate 351 locations across 39 states and Puerto Rico, serving all-you-can-eat buffet meals. The Golden Corral system has achieved a 31% increase in Average Unit Volume (AUV) since 2019 — making it arguably …

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Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, global specialty coffee and tea house, has appointed Tara Hinkle as the new president and head of Americas. She joins the company from Taco Bell and Starbucks. “We are thrilled to welcome Tara Hinkle as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s new president and head of Americas,” says Jose Pepot Miñana Jr., CEO for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “With her leadership in franchise growth and strategy, Tara is set to drive our expansion across the Americas. Her expertise and …

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San Diego — Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. has appointed three new leaders to Petco’s executive team. Sabrina Simmons, former chief financial officer at Gap, Inc., has been named chief financial officer, effective Feb. 17; Michael Romanko, former chief merchandising and marketing officer at Five Below, Inc., has been named chief customer and product officer, effective Feb. 24; and Jack Stout, former executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at 7-Eleven, Inc., has been named chief merchandising officer, effective Feb. 24. “Today’s appointments represent a significant evolution of Petco’s …

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Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands plans to designate two brand headquarters in the U.S., located in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, Calif. This decision will involve relocating KFC U.S. corporate office employees currently in Louisville, Ky., to the KFC and Pizza Hut Global headquarters in Plano, Texas. Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will maintain corporate offices in Louisville. KFC will continue its brand presence in Louisville, Ky., with the ambition of building a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant. Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine, Calif. “These …

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Irving, Texas — The Michaels Companies, Inc. has named David Boone as its new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 28, 2025. Boone will also serve on the company’s board of directors. “As we enter an exciting period of opportunity for Michaels, we are pleased to welcome David to the company,” says Andrew Jhawar, chairman of the board of directors. “David is a proven business leader with the strategic vision, customer focus and vast retail experience to continue to drive Michaels forward.” Boone is currently the interim CEO of Essendant, a …

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Pasadena, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, has opened its first dual-brand Applebee’s | IHOP restaurant in the U.S. in partnership with franchisee Ramzi Hakim Group. The new restaurant opened on Feb. 18, 2025, in Seguin, Texas, just outside of San Antonio. “For decades, Applebee’s and IHOP have been places where friends gather, families celebrate and careers begin. Now, with our dual-branded restaurant, we are combining the strengths of both brands to create a unique …

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Lexington, Ky. — Tempur Sealy International, Inc., which recently acquired Mattress Firm, has named its own chairman and CEO, Scott Thompson, as interim CEO of Mattress Firm following CEO John Eck’s recent decision to step down. Mattress Firm is the nation’s largest mattress specialty retailer. In the meantime, Tempur Sealy has entered into a consulting agreement with Eck to ensure a smooth transition. The company expects to appoint a new CEO of Mattress Firm within the next 6 to 9 months.   “We thank John for his successful 6 years at …

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Tampa, Fla. — Kelia Bazile has been promoted to president of Carrabba’s Italian Grill where she will be responsible for leading the operations and development for more than 190 Carrabba’s locations. Carrabba’s offers authentic Italian cuisine and is one of four brands in the Bloomin’ Brands portfolio. “Kelia has a proven track record of creating and maintaining high executional standards that drive sales and a warm guest experience,” says Mike Spanos, CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. “She builds strong teams with a hospitality-first mindset and is a true servant leader.” …

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Richardson, Texas — ENTOUCH, a leading energy management solutions provider for multisite operators, has selected 24 Hour Fitness as the recipient of the ENTOUCH 2023 Sustainability Award. This award recognizes companies that have significantly contributed to sustainability and energy efficiency. “We are proud to recognize 24 Hour Fitness for their commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency,” says Trey Hernandez, vice president of customer success for ENTOUCH. “Their dedication to reducing their environmental impact is an example for other companies to follow. We are proud to do our part in supporting …

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