Finance & Capital Management

Alpharetta, Ga. -- McAlister's Deli announced plans to develop 17 restaurants in Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia as part of new multi-unit development agreements with two existing franchise groups.

"We are pleased that our existing franchisees are continuing to expand with McAlister's Deli," said McAlister's Deli president and CEO Frank Paci. "Their commitment to develop demonstrates their confidence in the brand's strength and its ability to provide franchisees with an attractive investment."

Bolinbrook, Ill. – Ulta Beauty will open 12 new stores in DDR shopping centers by year-end 2013.

The stores will open in DDR shopping centers in the towns of Salisbury, Md., Charlotte, N.C., Richmond, Va., Cleveland/Akron, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, Hartford, Conn., Salt Lake City, Denver, St. Louis, and Lansing, Mich. Year-to-date, Ulta and DDR have opened six new stores, and are scheduled to open an additional six stores prior to year-end, bringing Ulta's total store count to 43 locations across DDR's portfolio.

New York -- Saks Inc. announced that its chairman and CEO, Stephen I. Sadove, along with the company’s president and chief merchant, Ronald L. Frasch, plan to leave the company following the closing of its acquisition by Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Co.

Walmart awarded a $500,000 grant to the Northwest Arkansas Council to support the advancement of healthy living and economic improvement initiatives throughout Northwest Arkansas. 

The grant is part of a three-year commitment by Walmart to fund the Greater Northwest Arkansas Development Strategy, a regional growth and development plan spearheaded in 2010 by the Northwest Arkansas Council, local chambers of commerce and other organizations. 

New York -- The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Loblaw Cos.’ acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Completion of the arrangement remains conditional on compliance with the Competition Act and certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of first quarter 2014.

NEW YORK — Saks has announced that upon completion of its acquisition by Hudson’s Bay Company Stephen I. Sadove, chairman and CEO of Saks, and Ronald L. Frasch, president and chief merchant of Saks, will be leaving the company.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Monday said it plans to obtain a senior secured term loan facility of up to $1 billion to help lower borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The company said that the term loan would be issued under its existing credit agreement, which provides for a $3.28 billion revolving credit facility.

The term loan is expected to mature in June 2018.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Brands plans to open 17 new franchise Dunkin’ Donuts stores in west and central Texas in the next several years.