Mergers & Acquisitions

New York — Noble Roman’s, the franchisor of Nobel Roman’s Pizza and Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs, has announced signed agreements for eight more stand-alone locations, brining the total of signed locations to 29.

To date, eight locations are open and 21 are under development.

ZAANDAM, Netherlands — Dutch supermarket-operating company Ahold has appointed Abbe Luersman as the company’s chief human resources officer.

Ahold said that Luersman, who will report to CEO Dick Boer, will assume the new position on Nov. 1. Ahold's U.S. division operates the Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., and Giant Food of Landover, Md., supermarket banners, as well as the Peapod online grocery service.

Lafayette, La. — Hungry Howie’s has opened a new pizza shop in Lafayette, La., near the University of Louisiana campus.

It is the third store for the young franchise. The other two stores are in nearby Baton Rouge.

Wellesley, Mass. -- In a pilot at its Matthews, N.C. store, Harris Teeter, which was recently acquired by The Kroger Co., is using Paydiant's white label mobile wallet solution as part of its Express Lane online shopping service in Matthews, N.C., beginning this month. The deployment allows the Express Lane customers to use the Harris Teeter mobile wallet called “HT Express Pay” to pay for groceries ordered online. Payment will occur from within a customer’s vehicle at Express Lane curbside pick-up locations.

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has appointed Tom Williams to SVP of store operations and human resources, replacing Ken Haverkost.

Haverkost announced his retirement as EVP of store operations, a position he held since joining the company in 2007. He will remain a part-time employee through March 2014 to assist in the transition process.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. isn’t taking any chances. The retailer on Thursday announced it has adopted a one-year shareholder’s rights plan to protect itself against any future hostile takeover efforts.

Cincinnati — Phillips Edison-ARC Shopping Center REIT has acquired Paradise Crossing, a 67,470-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store.

Located in Lithia Springs, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, Paradise Crossing is 93.7% occupied. When combined with the Publix lease, 64% of the rents for the center derive from national tenants.

The acquisition brings the REIT’s portfolio to 50 grocery-anchored properties, with an aggregate portfolio purchase price of approximately $729.6 million.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap has elected Padmasree Warrior, chief technology and chief strategy officer of Cisco Systems, to its board of directors, effective Sept. 30.

“Padma is an accomplished business leader with nearly 30 years’ experience within the technology industry, as both a strategist and innovator,” said Glenn Murphy, Gap Inc. chairman and CEO. “As we increase our investment in serving customers across all channels, Padma’s relevant expertise will be an asset to our board and management team.”