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Duro-Last® Names New Vice President of Operations

by Katie Lee

Saginaw, Mich. — Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, has appointed Chris Warner as its new vice president of operations. With more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership and a strong background in lean manufacturing and strategic process optimization, Warner will be instrumental in enhancing Duro-Last’s operational excellence and advancing its commitment to safety and superior customer service. “I am honored to join Duro-Last and contribute to the legacy of excellence that has made the company a trusted leader in commercial roofing,” says Warner. “Duro-Last’s reputation for …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Names Director of Franchisee Communications

by Katie Lee

Honolulu — L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has appointed Kyler Kokubun as director of franchisee communications. In this role, Kokubun will focus on enhancing the relationship between the franchisor and franchisees, supporting franchisee operations and aligning marketing strategies with the brand’s vision. Kokubun brings nearly 15 years of experience in marketing, customer service and community engagement from his previous tenure at Consolidated Theatres, Hawaii’s oldest and largest movie theatre chain, where he was promoted from service associate to marketing and events manager for all locations across Hawaii. He has been instrumental in …

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Newspeopleretailers

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Announces CEO Transition

by Katie Lee

Emeryville, Calif. — Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has announced that Eric Lindberg, current chairman of the board, has been appointed interim president and CEO, effective immediately. Lindberg replaces RJ Sheedy, who has stepped down from his position and resigned from the board. The board has engaged a leading global executive search firm to begin the process of identifying a permanent CEO. With more than three decades of leadership experience at the company, Lindberg is a Grocery Outlet veteran with a deep knowledge of its operations and strategy. He previously served …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has named Max Wetzel as its new chief executive officer. He succeeds Charles Watson, who is stepping down after more than 16 years with Tropical Smoothie Cafe, including the past 6 years as CEO. “I am so proud of what our support center team members and franchisees have accomplished during my time at Tropical Smoothie Cafe,” says Watson. “I am confident Tropical Smoothie Cafe is well positioned to build on our many achievements to date and to advance its rapid growth, and I remain invested …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Red Lobster Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster® has appointed Larry Konecny as chief operating officer (COO). In this role, Konecny will lead the operational strategy for Red Lobster’s 545 restaurants across the United States and Canada. Reporting directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun, he will drive initiatives to deliver elevated food quality, customer service and operational efficiency, while fostering a culture rooted in teamwork and excellence. “Larry brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a genuine understanding of what it takes to build strong restaurant brands,” …

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Newspeopleretailers

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. Appoints CFO

by Katie Lee

Lakewood, Colo. — Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has appointed Richard Hallé s chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hallé has served as a member of Natural Grocers’ board of directors and audit committee since 2012 and will succeed Todd Dissinger, who will retire on Dec. 31, 2024. “I am thrilled to welcome Rich to the Natural Grocers executive team as chief financial officer,” says Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers’ chairman and co-president. “Rich’s deep, strategic knowledge of our company from his many years of service on the board …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeopleremodelsrestaurants

El Pollo Loco Unveils New Restaurant Design Ahead of 50th Anniversary

by Katie Lee

Costa Mesa, Calif. — El Pollo Loco, a premier fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, has unveiled its new restaurant prototype showcasing an enduring, yet modern and efficient, design. As the brand approaches its 50th anniversary next year, it looks to create a modern legacy of curated experiences, inspired by place and punctuated by new menu innovation. While the new restaurant prototype includes existing brand elements — such as the fire stack gradient, logo and font — that fans have come to know and love, these elements now reflect an updated color …

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Newspeopleretailers

Planet Fitness Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Hampton, N.H. — Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers, has appointed Jay Stasz as its next chief financial officer (CFO), effective Nov. 15, 2024. Stasz will join the company on Nov. 4, 2024, and will work with current CFO Tom Fitzgerald until assuming the role. Fitzgerald will remain with the company through Dec. 31, 2024 to ensure a smooth transition and will serve in a consulting capacity with the company through March 31, 2025. Stasz is an accomplished finance executive with …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Clean Eatz Appoints First CEO

by Katie Lee

Wilmington, N.C. — Clean Eatz, a health-focused lifestyle brand and meal plan franchise, has appointed 30-year restaurant and retail industry leader Eric Wyatt as the first CEO of the brand. Wyatt most recently served as CEO of California-based NORMS Restaurants and has held C-level leadership roles at Boston Market and Corner Bakery Cafe. He also held senior positions at Hardee’s Restaurants, Panera Bread and Starbucks, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to mentor and support team members, improve operational efficiency and lead successful market expansions. “Eric’s journey brings our founding …

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Newspeopleretailers

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. Announces CEO Transition

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. has announced that Jim Conroy plans to step down as chief executive officer (CEO) and president and as a member of the company’s board of directors, effective Nov. 22, 2024, to become CEO of Ross Stores, Inc. John Hazen, Boot Barn’s current chief digital officer, will assume the role of interim CEO, effective Nov. 22, 2024. Hazen joined the company in 2018 with responsibility for e-commerce, marketing and the customer experience. Additionally, Peter Starrett, Boot Barn’s current chairman of the board of directors, …

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