Finance & Capital Management

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants is employing a high-tech solution to help it expand throughout the United States.

The fast-casual chain has partnered with Buxton to identify growth opportunities for Checkers & Rally's restaurants. The company, which operates and franchises both Checkers and Rally's restaurants, currently has more than 800 locations nationwide.

Whole Foods Market has partnered with national solar providers NRG and SolarCity to substantially increase the number of rooftop solar units on the company’s U.S. stores.

The retailer aims to install up to 100 additional solar rooftop units on its stores. If the goal is reached, the project has potential to be among the 25 largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the country.

Aldi now has three co-presidents overseeing its rapidly expanding U.S. business following the promotion of Brent Laubaugh.

Laughbaugh, a 20 year veteran of the company, currently serves as VP of the Aldi division based in the Pittsburgh suburb of Saxonburgh, was named co-president of Aldi U.S. In that capacity, he joins David Behm and Chuck Youngstrom who will continue in their roles as co-presidents. All three report to Aldi CEO Jason Hart.

March promises to be a busy month for Shopko.

The retailer will open 10 Shopko Hometown stores in late March, bringing its total number of stores opened this year so far to 12.

The company plans to continue to accelerate the expansion of its Hometown format with additional locations through 2017. Developed over the past five years to augment Shopko’s larger store model, the concept is focused on serving the needs of smaller rural communities. Stores average 15,000 sq. ft. to 35,000 sq. ft.

The last several years have seen numerous chapter 11 bankruptcies with the most recent being The Sport Authority. It may seem counterintuitive, but bankruptcies are a sign of vibrant industry and give rise to new opportunities for those who know where to look.

A new retailer aims to blend physical retailing with e-commerce — and to do it with Latin flair. The concept, Star World, is the brainchild of veteran retailer Jerry Azarkman, formerly with (and co-founder of) Curacao, a Los Angeles-based department store targeting Hispanics.

Star World made its debut in October, opening a two-level 30,000-sq.-ft. store in Huntington Park, California.

The federal government has extended the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar energy investments through 2019. It provides businesses that install solar panels a tax credit equal to 30% of the total solar installation price. The credit will ramp down to 26% in 2020, 22% in 2021 and to 10% in 2022 for commercial solar installations.

The number of U.S. businesses with solar energy installations grew to a new high in 2015. Enterprises ranging from family-run companies to some of the country’s biggest corporations are producing their own energy, cutting operating expenses and achieving environmental sustainability.

A recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides data and insights into the diverse mix of corporate offices, office buildings, retail, manufacturing, data centers, distribution and logistics centers, and convention centers that have gone solar.

Sam Dushey took the reins of his family-owned business, discount department-store chain Shoppers World, when he was just 27. The company was founded by his grandfather, an immigrant from Syria, in the 1930s, and then expanded upon by Dushey’s father, uncle and cousin.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a specialty grocer focusing on fresh, natural and organic foods at accessible prices, is on a roll.

Barely two years out of the gate (the first store opened in April 2014, in Illinois), the Chicago-based company now counts 32 locations throughout the Midwest.

Its aggressive growth strategy calls for 60 stores by 2019. Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio are among the states targeted for growth.