Mergers & Acquisitions

New York – Cache Inc. has entered into a new, three year, $30 million revolving credit facility with Salus Capital Partners LLC. The new facility replaces the company’s existing $25 million revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

“We are pleased to have secured this new credit facility with Salus Capital, which improves our financial flexibility as we continue to implement our turnaround plan to position Cache for profitable growth,” said Jay Margolis, chairman and CEO Cache.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is recruiting franchisees in Minnesota with an emphasis on Minneapolis and Mankato. Seven freestanding Dunkin' Donuts locations are planned to open during the next several years in the greater Duluth area.

To help fuel growth in Minnesota, special development incentives are available, which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $10,000 in local store marketing for stores that meet certain goals.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. will acquire the remaining shares of its Japanese joint venture, Starbucks Coffee Japan, for $913 million to accelerate growth across multiple channels in the country, including the introduction of new concepts such as Teavana. The acquisition is the largest to date made by Starbucks. Japan is the company’s second-largest market in store sales after the United States.

“Full ownership in this market is the right approach for the future," said Troy Alstead, COO, Starbucks, in a conference call with analysts.

Hasbro has entered into a strategic merchandising relationship with Disney Consumer Products for the Disney Princess and Frozen properties. The agreement gives Hasbro global rights (excluding Japan) to develop dolls based on Disney Princess stories and characters including Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Frozen beginning in 2016.

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc. will open a new store in Las Vegas on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Winterwood Pavilion.

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate 150 locations in 14 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014. Together, Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discounts currently operate over 1,300 off-price apparel and home fashion stores in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

A massive share repurchase program at Bed Bath & Beyond enabled the company to overcome increased expenses and a decline in gross margins to produce earning per share growth that exceeded analysts’ estimates.

Hingham, Mass. – Fast-casual burger chain Wahlburgers has signed a three-restaurant franchise agreement in Las Vegas with Vegas American Hospitality Inc. Wahlburgers will debut in Las Vegas in early 2015 with the opening of its first restaurant at a location soon to be disclosed.  

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc. will open its first store in Louisiana on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Westside South Shopping Center in Gretna.

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate approximately 150 locations in 14 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.