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Newspeoplerestaurants

La Madeleine Appoints New President

by Katie Lee

Dallas — La Madeleine, a beloved, French-founded neighborhood café and bakery, has appointed seasoned restaurant and franchise industry executive John Dillon as its new president, further strengthening its next-level growth leadership and aggressive expansion plans under Groupe Le Duff. Dillon most recently served as founder and principal lead at HMS Growth Partners, an advisory firm supporting leaders and companies across diverse industries, including restaurants, hospitality, retail, education and franchising. Prior to HMS, he spent over 16 years at Denny’s, where he held a succession of senior leadership roles, including EVP …

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Newspeopleretailers

RumbleOn, Inc. Names Leadership Changes, Including CEO and COO

by Katie Lee

  Irving, Texas — RumbleOn, Inc., the largest powersports retailer in North America, has made the following leadership changes, effective as of Jan.13, 2025: Michael Quartieri, chairman of the board of directors, has been appointed chief executive officer; Cameron Tkach, vice president of dealership operations, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company; Becca Polak, chair of the compensation committee of the board of directors, has been named vice chairman and lead independent director; and Michael Kennedy is no longer CEO or a member …

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NewspeopleProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Rack Room Shoes Improves Store Operations with Zebra Technologies Workcloud Software

by Katie Lee

Lincolnshire, Ill. — Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, has helped Rack Room Shoes to operate with greater efficiency, leveraging Zebra’s Workcloud Task Management software and mobile computing solutions. For a century, Rack Room Shoes, with more than 500 stores across 36 states, has been committed to offering high-quality, brand-name footwear at competitive prices while ensuring exceptional customer service. To maintain its commitment, the retailer needed to streamline its operations and overcome communication bottlenecks so its store associates could be more productive and accelerate …

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Newspeopleretailers

Tandy Leather Factory Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. has appointed Johan Hedberg as its new chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, effective Jan. 6. Hedberg will replace Janet Carr, who will remain with the company for transition through March 2025. Hedberg brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail leadership experience, most recently as chief sales officer and president, Americas, of Fiskars Group, after serving as senior vice president of global sales and then global chief sales officer. “We are extremely grateful to Janet …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Bloomin’ Brands Promotes Carrabba’s President to EVP, President of Outback Steakhouse

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has promoted Pat Hafner to executive vice president, president of Outback Steakhouse. He will be responsible for leading operations and development for the company’s largest brand. He most recently served as president of Carrabba’s Italian Grill. “Pat is an ‘operator’s operator’ who has held a variety of roles and led special projects at Bloomin’ Brands,” says Mike Spanos, chief executive officer of Bloomin’ Brands. “He is a guest-centric leader who builds high-capability teams that deliver outstanding business results.” Hafner’s restaurant career began with Outback …

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Newspeopleretailers

Books-A-Million Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Birmingham, Ala. — Books-A-Million, Inc. has appointed Damian Doggett as chief financial officer. In this role, he will lead the finance organization and will be responsible for all aspects of financial operations. Doggett joined Books-A-Million in 2006 and has held various leadership roles within the finance organization including accounting manager, senior accounting manager, assistant controller, controller, senior vice president and chief accounting officer. “I am pleased to announce Damian’s well deserved promotion to CFO,” says Terrance G Finley, chief executive officer of Books-A-Million. “His years of strong creative leadership, coupled …

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Divert, Inc. Expands Executive Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

West Concord, Mass. — Divert, Inc., a sustainable solutions company on a mission to solve the wasted food crisis and advance a circular economy, has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of four new strategic hires: Andrew Johnston as vice president of industrials, Derek Spillane as vice president of IT, Frenchie Audette as vice president of food service, and Lee DeVasier as vice president of transportation and supply chain. Johnston and Audette will spearhead strategy and revenue growth with the company’s industrials and food service customers. Spillane will …

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Newspeopleretailers

Ulta Beauty Names CEO Transition

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Dave Kimbell plans to retire from his position as chief executive officer of Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer, after 11 years with the brand. He will also step down from the company’s board of directors. Kecia Steelman, president and chief operating officer, will succeed Dave Kimbell as president and CEO and joined the company’s board on Jan. 6, 2025. Kimbell will serve as an advisor to the company through June 28, 2025. “On behalf of the board, we are grateful to Dave for his …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Panera Brands Appoints Interim CEO

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Panera Brands Inc., which includes the iconic fast-casual concept Panera Bread as well as the Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. brands, has named Paul Carbone, currently its chief financial officer, as interim chief executive officer of Panera, effective Jan. 7, 2025. Carbone, who joined Panera in 2023, brings decades of experience in the restaurant, consumer goods and retail industries, including as long-time CFO of Dunkin’ Brands. Carbone will lead the company while the board of directors completes a comprehensive search process, considering both internal and external candidates …

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AutoZone Promotes 2 Vice Presidents of Merchandising

by Katie Lee

Memphis, Tenn. — AutoZone, Inc. has promoted two vice presidents to senior vice president positions. Bailey Childress, vice president, merchandising, has been promoted to senior vice president, omnichannel and merchandising support, and Luke Rauch, vice president, merchandising, has been promoted to senior vice president, merchandising and global sourcing. Childress and Rauch will join the company’s executive committee and report to Bill Hackney, executive vice president, merchandising, marketing and supply chain. “We are very pleased to announce today’s promotions. Bailey is a proven leader who has delivered outstanding results throughout his …

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