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Greensboro, N.C. — The board of directors of The Fresh Market, Inc. has appointed Brian Johnson as president and chief executive officer (CEO) effective Feb. 3, 2025, replacing Jason Potter, who has decided to pursue a new opportunity. Johnson has served as chief operating officer (COO) at The Fresh Market since 2020 and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. In the last 5 years, Johnson has helped oversee the expansion of TFM stores into new markets across the East Coast and Midwestern United States. Previously, Johnson …

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Nordborg, Denmark — Danfoss has named Kristian Strand as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions. He succeeds Jürgen Fischer who, after 16 years with Danfoss, has decided to retire. Strand, who is currently serving as divisional president, commercial compressors in Danfoss Climate Solutions, will join the Danfoss Group executive team and take over as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions on April 1, 2025. Prior to his current role, Strand served as divisional president, refrigeration & air conditioning controls, in Danfoss Climate Solutions. He has played a crucial role in the Climate …

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St. Louis — Panera Bread has hired Brian Krause to be the company’s new chief development officer. He will be responsible for driving strategic new store growth for Panera Bread, leading development planning, franchise development and sales, design & construction and real estate. Krause joined the company on Jan. 13 and reports to the interim CEO, Paul Carbone. An industry veteran in franchise development and sales, Krause joins the company from GoTo Foods where he oversaw growth-driving efforts for all seven brands including Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s …

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Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets, Inc. has promoted Bob Gleeson to chief operating officer (COO) of the company. As COO, Gleeson will oversee the company’s merchandising, marketing, advertising, store operations, information technology, asset protection and pharmacy departments. He will also have oversight of the supply chain departments including distribution, transportation and manufacturing. He will continue to report to Jonathan H. Weis, chairman, president and CEO of Weis Markets, Inc. Gleeson joined the company in 2018 and was promoted to vice president of fresh merchandising in July 2019. He was promoted …

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Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants has named Meredeth Jones as vice president of franchise development and design. Bringing more than15 years of experience in franchising, Jones will play a key role in advancing the growth and expansion of the 105-year-old brand. “When growing our A&W family, we look for people who love and know our brand, are passionate about franchising and dedicated to supporting our franchisees’ success, and for us, that person is Meredeth,” says Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W Restaurants. “As the food-service industry continues to evolve, entrepreneurial opportunities …

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Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has promoted Scott Mezvinsky to KFC division chief executive officer, reporting to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, effective March 1, 2025. Mezvinsky, a 20-year veteran of the company who currently serves as president of Taco Bell North America and international, will succeed Sabir Sami, who is stepping down as KFC CEO at the end of February. Mezvinsky will assume global responsibility for driving the brand strategy and performance of KFC. “Scott is one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, with more than 20 years …

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Pomona, Calif. — Apex Imaging Services welcomes former Target and Bureau Veritas executive Blake Brosa to its leadership team. He joins Apex with nearly 20 years of AEC management and business development leadership experience. Previously, Brosa spent 6 years with Target Corporation in various property development roles and the last decade with Bureau Veritas, where he oversaw sales, marketing, strategy and client experience. “Retailers are seeking single-source solutions and partners that can truly deliver at scale,” says Brosa. “I was immediately impressed by Apex’s differentiated self-perform capabilities, investment in its …

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Minneapolis — Target Corporation has made a number of changes across its leadership team to position Target for success in 2025 and beyond. Mark Schindele, executive vice president and chief stores officer, will be retiring after 25 years with Target. Adrienne Costanzo, senior vice president, store operations, will be Target’s next chief stores officer. Since joining the company in 1999, Schindele has served in multiple roles spanning merchandising and operations. Over the past 5 years as chief stores officer, he led the stores organization through the pandemic and during the …

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Atlanta — GoTo Foods, parent company of the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, has appointed Urvi Patel as the chief brand officer of Cinnabon. As chief brand officer, Patel will be responsible for providing executive-level guidance on brand strategy, managing marketing efforts and developing key operational strategies to drive financial growth and ensure franchise success for the brand. “Urvi’s appointment as Cinnabon’s new chief brand officer presents significant opportunities for the iconic brand,” says Shelly Harris, chief operating officer at GoTo Foods. …

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Atlanta — Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, one of the fastest-growing hot food concepts in the convenience store business with over 3,200 locations, has appointed Jim Zielke as its chief financial officer. Zielke will report to CEO Jim Norberg. Zielke most recently served as the chief financial officer for the Peruvian-inspired restaurant brand Viva Chicken Holdings, LLC, where he oversaw finance, human resources, legal and IT departments for the company. He brings over 30 years of experience in the industry. “Jim has a wealth of knowledge and experience from the chicken and …

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