Mergers & Acquisitions

Fremont, Calif. – In another twist to the ongoing Men’s Wearhouse-George Zimmer saga, Reuters reports that Men’s Wearhouse founder and former executive chairman Zimmer is contemplating trying to recapture his position as executive chairman through such means as a buyout attempt with private equity backing or rallying the support of shareholders. Neither Zimmer nor Men’s Wearhouse has officially commented, but Zimmer is reportedly consulting advisers, including his legal counsel, Cooley LLP.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens cited a challenging economy and low front-end comparable store sales for its weaker than expected third quarter results. 

The company has therefore initiated a three-point plan to boost front-end performance as the company shifts its Balance Rewards customer-acquisition focus into second gear with a greater emphasis on redemption and rewards. 

New York -- George Zimmer, the founder of Men's Wearhouse Inc., resigned from the company board of directors on Monday, according to a letter he sent the board, which was obtained by Reuters.
   
Last week, Zimmer was fired as the company's executive chairman. On Monday he submitted a letter resigning from the board. In the letter, Zimmer said it was "clear" he was fired by the board "to avoid addressing my growing concerns with recent board decisions."

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Orin Rosenfeld has founded Rosenfeld Realty Advisors.

As president of the new firm, Rosenfeld will draw on 18 years of commercial real estate experience with CBRE and NAI Merin Hunter Codman. The company will specialize in office and retail real estate and will represent both landlords and tenants across South Florida.

In its PizzaRev case study series, CSA Online offers an insider’s look at the conception, initial rollout and growth of the southern Calif.-based fast-casual concept PizzaRev. Likened to “the Chipotle of pizza,” this innovative chain lets customers choose from an artisanal array of toppings to craft their own pizzas very quickly in a high-end stone hearth oven. A test kitchen in Northridge, Calif. was launched in April 2012 and two additional locations quickly followed.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Food manufacturer TreeHouse Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cains Foods, a privately owned manufacturer of shelf stable mayonnaise, dressings and sauces.

Cains is based in Ayer, Mass., and generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue. The company employs approximately 100 people. Its product portfolio offers retail and foodservice customers an assortment of packaging sizes, sold under both private label store brands and the Cains, Naturally Delicious and Olde Cape Cod brands.

Fort Worth, Texas -- The 15.5-acre Longview Plaza power center has been acquired by Morris-Floyd Capital Partners. Located in Longview, Texas, the property is 100% leased.

Anchors include Bed, Bath & Beyond, T.J. Maxx, Michael’s, Office Depot, Best Buy and Books-A-Million. Sperry Van Ness brokered the sale. Longview Plaza Ltd. was the seller.

Camp Hill, Pa.  -- Rite Aid Corp. has promoted Ken Martindale, currently senior executive VP and COO, to president and COO. Rite Aid chairman, president and CEO John Standley will continue in those roles.

The promotion of Martindale, 53, is effective immediately.