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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Fransmart Expands Leadership Team to Prepare for Investment in New Brands

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Fransmart plans for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of category-leading franchise brands by the end of 2030. To reach this goal, Fransmart will continue to identify and invest in concepts ripe for national and international expansion, while accelerating growth of its legacy brands. Additionally, the company is expanding its best-in-class leadership team to support each of its brands with operational expertise and highly-effective sales and marketing strategies. “To succeed in the world of franchising requires continual improvements to the brand’s business model, growth strategy, systems and processes,” says Dan …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

BRIX Holdings, LLC Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Dallas — BRIX Holdings, LLC, a Dallas-based multi-brand restaurant management and franchising company, has appointed Pamela Hunt as its chief financial officer. Hunt has more than 20 years of experience as a financial and operational leader for global organizations. In her new position, Hunt will oversee the BRIX Holdings’ finance organization and all financial activities including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury and tax for the BRIX Holdings’ portfolio companies, which includes Friendly’s Restaurants, Orange Leaf, Red Mango, Smoothie Factory and other brands. Hunt was most recently vice president of …

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Newspeopleretailers

West Marine Names New Chief Commercial Officer

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — West Marine, Inc. has appointed Stacey Renfro as chief commercial officer. She joins the company’s senior leadership team and reports to CEO Eric Kufel. She is a seasoned retail veteran whose resumé includes leadership positions at The Vitamin Shoppe, Pier 1 Imports and JC Penney. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Stacey Renfro to the West Marine team,” says Kufel. “Through her complex growth initiatives and game-changing strategies, she has built lifestyle brands and transformed omni-channel retailers to accelerate digital strategies. Stacy’s passion for boating and …

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Newspeopleretailersvendors

Superior Group of Companies Names Retail Operations Veteran as its New CFO

by Katie Lee

Seminole, Fla. — Superior Group of Companies, Inc. has appointed Michael Koempel to the role of chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 31, 2022. He previously served as COO of various major retail brands. Koempel, with more than 30 years of broad financial experience, has an impressive record of building and scaling high growth apparel and retail brands. Most recently, Koempel was chief operating officer of IT’SUGAR®, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S. Prior to that, Koempel served as chief operating officer of Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, …

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Newspeopleretailers

Independent Appliance Retailer Recruits 2 Executives to Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

La Habra, Calif. — Howard’s, Southern California’s premier independent appliance retailer, has added Joy Banducci and Daryl Massy to its senior leadership team. Banducci joins the company as chief financial officer & technology officer, and Massy as senior vice president & chief merchant. “Banducci brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, systems, IT and project management/operations,” says John Riddle, CEO of Howard’s. She comes to the company from Swann Communications where she served as CFO. Swann Communications is a global leader in smart home security systems that partners …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Zaxby’s Hires CDO and Elevates Interim Chief Digital & Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, the premium quick-service restaurant brand founded in Athens, Ga., has hired industry franchising veteran Mike Mettler as its new chief development officer, while Mike Nettles, interim chief digital & technology officer, has been elevated to the position long term. “Franchising growth requires four things. A strong business model, a solid culture, passionate franchise owners and strategic areas to develop — Zaxby’s has them all,” says Mettler. Adds Nettles: “Zaxby’s has had a great ride thus far, but digital accessibility will be our ‘secret sauce’ for the …

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Newspeopleretailers

REI Co-op Expands Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Seattle — REI Co-op has made two additions to its senior leadership team. Sylvia Wilks joined REI on May 23 as the company’s first senior vice president, chief supply chain officer. Minnie Alexander will begin her role as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary on May 31. “Sylvia and Minnie join our team from customer-centric organizations that are deeply focused on creating best-in-class experiences. Their talent will help REI deliver on our promise to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone by serving our members, employees and broader …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Clean Juice Names New COO

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, the first and only national USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise and quick-service restaurant, has hired Tripp Setliff to chief operating officer (COO). In the role, he will oversee all store operational initiatives including development, supply chain, training and field support to grow average unit sales volumes and profitability. Setliff is a veteran fast-casual, quick-serve franchise restaurant executive having worked with Jersey Mike’s Subs and Cici’s Pizza brands. Tripp’s franchise operations, development and marketing experience led him to executive leadership roles at Driven Brands, Inc. and …

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Newspeopleretailers

GameStop Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Grapevine, Texas — GameStop Corp. has appointed Nir Patel to the role of chief operating officer, effective May 31, 2022. Most recently, he was chief executive officer at Belk, a privately-owned national retailer with more than 300 stores across 16 states. Patel previously held senior roles at Kohl’s and Lands’ End after beginning his career at Target and Gap. He has approximately two decades of experience in operations, merchandising, supply chain, and retail and store operations.       SOURCE: GameStop Corp.

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Newspeoplerestaurants

GPS Hospitality Promotes Team Member to COO of Popeyes and Pizza Hut

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, one the nation’s largest franchisees of BURGER KING®, Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut®, has promoted Mike Kovac to chief operating officer for Popeyes and Pizza Hut. “Mike has been an instrumental part of GPS Hospitality’s growth strategy, having led our team through multiple acquisitions as well as the expansion into the Popeyes and Pizza Hut Brands,” says Michael Lippert, president of GPS Hospitality. “Mike’s natural leadership skills coupled with his experience with Popeyes and Pizza Hut gives him great insight and makes his well deserving …

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