Mergers & Acquisitions

Fresh & Easy to close 55 stores
Fresh & Easy plans to close 55 stores, which would leave the chain with about 110 locations, the Orange Country Register<span style="color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-
H&M opening 400 stores in 2015 amid 36% jump in Q1 profit
New York -- Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) on Tuesday posted a 36% jump in its first quarter profit, easily beating forecasts, and confirmed earlier reports that it plans to open 400 stores in its current fiscal year, with most of the locations in China and the United States. In New York, it will open a 61,000-sq.-ft. flagship — one of the largest H&Ms to date — in Manhattan’s Herald Square area.

Fresh & Easy to close 55 stores as it transitions to new convenience model

New York -- Fresh & Easy plans to close 55 stores, which would leave the chain with about 110 locations, the Orange Country Register reported. Fresh & Easy is owned by the Yucaipa Cos., which bought the supermarket chain out of bankruptcy in 2013 from U.K. retailer Tesco. It operates stores in Nevada, California and Arizona.

The stores slated for closing do not meet Fresh & Easy’s new model of “modern convenience.”
Ebay names two directors as it readies for PayPal split

San Jose, Calif. -- EBay Inc. on Monday announced it has appointed two independent directors to its board as it prepares for the spinoff of its payments division, PayPal, in the second half of this year.

Ebay appointed Tony Bates, president of action camera maker GoPro, and Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, to its board.
Papa Murphy’s plans Southeast expansion

Vancouver, Wash. – Pizza retailer Papa Murphy's Holdings Inc. plans to strengthen and grow its presence in the Southeast.

The company, which currently has more than 1,400 locations in 38 states, recently completed acquisitions of existing Papa Murphy's franchise stores in Jacksonville, Forida, as a springboard for further expansion throughout the Southeast.
The Melting Pot goes global with Indonesia location

Tampa, Fla. – The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. has opened its first restaurant outside of North America in Jakarta, Indonesia. The latest opening comes on the heels of the company announcing its plans for continued international expansion.

The Melting Pot is on track to open its first restaurants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later in 2015, as well as its fourth location in Mexico City, Mexico.
McAlister’s Deli sees rising Phoenix franchise opportunity

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli is targeting Phoenix for franchise growth. The fast-casual dining chain is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand McAlister's presence in the market through multi-unit development agreements in areas such as Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and Goodyear.
Haggen opens in California, names expansion team

As burgeoning food retailer Haggen charts a path of expansion across the West Coast, the company is also making some key executive moves to support its growth in the Southwest.

The grocery chain Haggen named the first five senior members of its Pacific Southwest leadership team this week:
Mattress Firm to open as many as 220 stores

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. is revving up its growth in fiscal 2015, with plans to open as many as 220 new stores this year.
Mattress Firm plans 200-220 new stores in fiscal 2015

Houston – Mattress Firm Holding Corp. is revving up its growth in fiscal 2015, with plans to open 200 to 220 new stores.

Fresh & Easy to close 55 stores

H&M opening 400 stores in 2015 amid 36% jump in Q1 profit

Fresh & Easy to close 55 stores as it transitions to new convenience model

Ebay names two directors as it readies for PayPal split

Papa Murphy’s plans Southeast expansion

The Melting Pot goes global with Indonesia location

McAlister’s Deli sees rising Phoenix franchise opportunity

Haggen opens in California, names expansion team

Mattress Firm to open as many as 220 stores

Mattress Firm plans 200-220 new stores in fiscal 2015