In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Aldi Inc. will reportedly open its first location in the state of Maine. The grocery store is slated for the city of Portland. The company plans to open more than 225 new stores this year.

• The Food Industry Association has named Craig Boyan as its new Chairman.

• The Kroger Co. has named David Kennerley as Senior VP and CFO. Todd Foley, who held the CFO position on an interim basis, will retire at the end of March.

• Tops Markets LLC has promoted Samantha Merithew to the role of Deli/Bakery Specialist for the East Region.

• Wegmans Food Markets Inc. reported it plans to open its first grocery stores in Connecticut and Long Island in 2025. A new 101,000 sq. ft. store will open in Long Island, NY, this month. An 80,000 sq. ft. store will open in Rockville, MD, in June, and a new 92,000 sq. ft. store will open in Norwalk, CT, in July.

Retail

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. is opening four stores in Texas early next year. It will be the first locations in the state for the retailer.

• Dollar General Corp. announced Steve Deckard has been promoted to Exec VP of Strategy and Development. Tracey Herrmann has been promoted to Exec VP of Store Operations.

• Fossil Group, Inc. has named Joe Martin as Chief Commercial Officer. Antonio Carriero has been named as its Chief Digital Information Officer and General Manager of its Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

• Hustler Hollywood is now providing on-demand delivery in less than one hour via DoorDash.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. announced it plans to close eight stores in 2025.

• Levi Strauss & Co. announced Karyn Hillman is now Chief Product Officer and Chief Design Officer. Jason Gowans is now the Chief Digital Officer and Chief Technology Officer. Harmit Singh is now CFO, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Transformation Officer. Bernard Bedon has been appointed Chief Human Resources Officer. Liz O’Neill, COO, has announced she will retire.

• Macy’s Inc. appointed Barbie Cameron as its new Chief Stores Officer.

• Mattress Firm Inc. reported John Eck, CEO, has left the company.

• PayMore Stores is planning to open 90 more stores in the United States in 2025.

• Skechers USA Inc. has plans to open 180 to 200 new stores this year.

• Tailored Brands, Inc. has appointed Whit Alexander as Exec VP and Chief Customer Officer.

• Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. has promoted Brett Parent to the role of Chief Strategy Officer. The company also announced Richard McLeod has been named Chief Marketing Officer of Merrell.

Restaurant

• Burger King is continuing their remodeling plans and the company has plans to have remodeled 85% of their restaurants by 2028.

• California Pizza Kitchen is currently testing two different types of vending machines in select airports.

• CosMc’s has opened a new location in Texas and the company has expanded their menu to include churros.

• Dave’s Hot Chicken is currently seeking a buyer.

• Denny’s is planning to close around 90 restaurants this year. Early projections were that the company would close around 60 restaurants.

• Domino’s largest master franchisee, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, is planning to close 205 international locations. The majority of these restaurants are located in Japan.

• In-n-Out currently operates out of two corporate offices, yet the company is now planning to close their office in Irvine, CA.

• KFC has named Catherine Tan-Gillespie as President.

• Popeyes is planning to spend more on marketing this year than ever before after 85% of franchisees agreed to increase marketing spending for the next three years.

• Red Robin CMO Kevin Mayer has left the company.

• Tropical Smoothie Café has named Jonathan Biggs as Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sasser as CFO, and Karen Wickliffe as General Counsel.