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Local Kitchens Names New CEO; Plans to Open First L.A. Location in June

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Local Kitchens, a category-defining restaurant brand known for its menu collaborations with award-winning chefs, has appointed Jay Gentile as its new chief executive officer. This leadership transition comes as its co-founders, Andrew Munday and Jon Goldsmith, step away from day-to-day operations, with Goldsmith continuing as chairman of the board. Gentile brings a wealth of experience in scaling and evolving restaurant brands, most recently leading Veggie Grill and its family of concepts. With a deep background in operations and market expansion, he successfully introduced and grew Caffè Nero …

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Kohl’s Terminates Chief Executive Officer, Names Interim CEO

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s Corporation’s board of directors has appointed Michael Bender as interim chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. Bender has served as a director of the board since July 2019 and was appointed board chair in May 2024. The board will initiate a search to identify a permanent CEO and retain a leading search firm to assist with this process. Bender’s appointment follows the board’s decision to terminate Ashley Buchanan for cause. An investigation conducted by outside counsel and overseen by the audit committee of the board …

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Sweetgreen Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Sweetgreen, Inc. has appointed Jason Cochran as its chief operating officer, effective May 5, 2025. Cochran will oversee field operations and as well as operations services and innovation for the company and will report directly to Sweetgreen’s co-founder and chief executive officer, Jonathan Neman. Cochran joins Sweetgreen from past positions with Pizza Hut, Chipotle and GameStop. “Jason is a trusted and visionary leader with hands-on operational experience at growth-oriented brands,” says Neman. “His strategic mindset, operational discipline and ability to inspire teams make him uniquely positioned to …

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TGI Fridays Appoints President of International Franchising

by Katie Lee

Dallas — TGI Fridays has appointed Phil Broad as president of TGI Fridays International Franchising. Based in Dubai, Broad will oversee the brand’s international operations and franchise partnerships, with a focus on accelerating global growth and delivering exceptional guest experiences worldwide. Broad served as managing director of TGI Fridays UK from 1997 to 2000. In addition to his deep understanding of the brand, he has over 30 years of global leadership experience in the food and beverage, hospitality and retail sectors. “Phil’s return to the Fridays family comes at a …

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Levin Management Corporation Names New CFO 

by Katie Lee

North Plainfield, N.J. — Levin Management Corporation (LMC) has appointed Jeanette Oliver as chief financial officer (CFO). LMC is an established, vertically integrated commercial real estate services provider with a 125-property leasing and management portfolio. Prior to joining LMC, she was chief accounting officer at Silverstein Properties Inc. Oliver has more than 25 years of experience in the real estate and development industries. She brings a wealth of finance and accounting expertise to her new role. Prior to Silverstein, she previously served as accounting director at Forest City Ratner Companies. …

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Salad and Go Names Former Krispy Kreme Chief as New CEO

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Salad and Go, a one-of-a-kind salad chain, has appointed Mike Tattersfield as its new CEO, effective immediately. Tattersfield, who is now a minority owner of the brand, brings over 30 years of retail and restaurant industry leadership experience to the expanding drive-thru-only salad concept. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Krispy Kreme for nearly a decade. Other top roles included CEO of Caribou Coffee Company and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, president at YUM! Brands and COO at Lululemon. “Salad and Go has built something special …

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Heritage Grocers Group Names Tony’s Fresh Market CEO as Chief Transformation Officer

by Katie Lee

Ontario, Calif. — Heritage Grocers Group, the largest Hispanic and ethnic food retailer in the country, has appointed Frank Ingraffia to the role of chief transformation officer (CTO). Ingraffia, CEO of Tony’s Fresh Market chain, takes on the Heritage CTO role in addition to his current duties and will work amongst the company’s offices in Chicago; Ontario, Calif.; and Dallas. He will report directly to Heritage Grocers Group’s chairman and CEO, Suzy Monford. As chief transformation officer, Ingraffia will lead Heritage’s transformation office which was created last December as the …

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Ulta Beauty Names Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has appointed Lauren Brindley as chief merchandising and digital officer, effective June 3, 2025. Brindley succeeds Monica Arnaudo who will retire in June. In her new role, Brindley will have executive responsibility for Ulta Beauty’s merchandising, e-commerce, wellness and marketplace strategies, while also leading the company’s assortment brand building strategy. “Providing our guests with the best beauty and wellness assortment while building strong, strategic partnerships with our brands is critical to Ulta Beauty’s future growth,” says Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer. “I’m …

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PGA TOUR Superstore CEO to Retire After 15 Years; Global Search for Successor Underway

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Dick Sullivan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS), will retire from his day-to-day CEO role with the company later this summer. A global search for a new CEO has begun, and Sullivan will remain CEO until a new leader is in place and then continue as executive chairman of the company into the future. PGATSS currently operates 76 stores in 28 states and a successful online business with robust expansion plans, including 16 more stores by the end of 2026. The company achieved …

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Vince Holding Corp. Promotes Controller to Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

New York City — Vince Holding Corp., a global contemporary retailer, has promoted Yuji Okumura, the company’s interim CFO since March 2025 and controller since September 2020, to the position of chief financial officer, effective April 14, 2025. “Yuji’s tenure with our company, his leadership and strong financial expertise are the attributes that we need as we begin our next chapter,” says Brendan Hoffman, chief executive officer of VNCE. “His financial discipline and insight will be invaluable as we continue to navigate a dynamic macroeconomic and consumer environment.” Okumura has …

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