Milwaukee — Outlook Management Group LLC’s president Ray Balfanz has partnered with Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee and other local small businesses to donate food to Milwaukee residents in need. Balfanz created the CollectionConnection to raise money for meals. The six-week fundraiser will end Dec. 31. As of Dec. 11, $2,225 had been raised, which means meals plus one holiday meal for 20 families for one week have been donated through the program. Balfanz is teaming with Wisconsin-based companies such as Pinnacle Construction, LLJ Ventures and Wisconsin Mall Properties. Balfanz says …
Houston — Francesca’s, the Houston-based apparel and accessories chain for women, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will close an additional 97 stores across the country, according to documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Francesca’s had previously announced in mid-November that it would be closing 140 stores, or roughly 20 percent of its total count, and possibly pursuing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy declaration. According to CNBC, Francesca’s has received a buyout offer from Los Angeles-based TerraMar Capital and hopes to close a sale by late January.
Tamarac, Fla. — Sonny’s Enterprises has entered into an agreement to buy Lone Star Car Wash Systems for an undisclosed price. Sonny’s will use the acquisition of the Texas-based car wash company to expand and create Sonny’s CarWash Services of Texas. The Tamarac, Florida-based buyer says current car wash owners and potential investors will have a local team to rely on for help with everything from equipment and chemistry, to site and management consulting, maintenance and repair. “Our proposal to acquire Lone Star was an easy decision because it allows …
Nashville, Tenn. — Burger Republic has launched its “Defend Heroes” gift card promotion. For every $50 spent on a gift card, the Nashville-based burger chain will donate one meal to a frontline worker or first responder in the Music City. The promotion will run through Dec. 31. The gift cards can be purchased online or in-person at any of the four locations in metro Nashville. Drew Jackman, who partnered with Jeff Warne to create Burger Republic in 2012, says the “Defend Heroes” promotion was shaped in May during a buy …
Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has reported its comparable store sales for third-quarter 2020 rose 15.3 percent over third-quarter 2019. As of the end of the third quarter, which ended Oct. 31, the Harrisburg-based retailer operated 385 stores in 25 states. Net income increased 67.7 percent to $45.2 million for the quarter. “I am extremely proud of our entire team for working tirelessly during these unprecedented times and delivering another exceptional quarter,” says John Swygert, president and CEO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. “We once again demonstrated our ability to …
Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty Inc. has reported that its comparable sales decreased 8.9 percent compared with an increase of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Net sales decreased 7.8 percent to $1.6 billion, compared with $1.7 billion in third-quarter 2019. The Bolingbrook-based beauty retailer says the drop is due to the impact of COVID-19. This quarter, Ulta opened 17 new stores, compared with 31 new stores in third-quarter 2019. Net income was $74.8 million compared with $129.7 million for the same period last year. “We know …
Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc. reported a 47.5 percent increase in net sales for its third fiscal quarter that ended Oct. 24 relative to its fiscal third quarter in 2019. At Home has now achieved 21.5 percent growth in net sales on a year-to-date basis. The Plano-based home improvement retailer also reported $47.1 million in net income for its third quarter, a substantial increase from the $14.6 million net loss posted in the third quarter of 2019. The company currently operates 219 stores in 40 states. In a …
Cincinnati — Retailers and restaurants have adopted new techniques for serving customers in the midst of a global pandemic, according to Phillips Edison & Co.’s (PECO) Emerging Trends report. PECO says the most intriguing storylines to watch heading into 2021 are the rise of ghost kitchens, “groceraunts” and drone delivery. The Cincinnati-based company released the report as part of ICSC’s virtual ReCon event in New York City. Ghost kitchens are kitchens that cook and prepare food for delivery-only. Some national brands such as Fatburger, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, Shake Shack, …
Menomonee Falls, Wis. and San Francisco — Sephora will debut at least 850 “Sephora at Kohl’s” locations within Kohl’s stores by 2023, the San Francisco-based cosmetic company announced. The locations will span 2,500 square feet and will typically be situated near the front of each Kohl’s. Sephora at Kohl’s shops will replace Kohl’s current in-store beauty assortment. Exterior signage at locations that feature the in-store shops will display both Kohl’s and Sephora branding. These locations will be selected based on existing Sephora store proximity, market opportunity and customer insights. Menomonee …
Westlake Village, Calif. — Musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Westlake Village-based company did not announce plans to close any of its 297 stores, but it has retained A&G Real Estate Partners to explore opportunities for its real estate portfolio. In court filings, Guitar Center cited its business of instrument purchases, rentals, repairs and music lessons suffered amid the upheaval stemming from government-mandated shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The …