Strategy

Tampa, Fla. -- Burger 21, founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, has executed its first franchise agreement in Michigan, under which a debut restaurant in Ann Arbor will open summer 2015.

Additionally, the company signed two franchise agreements for single units in Ocala, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina. The new deals are part of the fast-casual concept's growth strategy to expand its presence in new and existing markets nationwide.

To date, Burger 21 has 13 open locations and 25 franchised restaurants in development.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has appointed Jennifer Kretchmar as chief product officer and innovation bear. She will report to CEO Sharon John.

Kretchmar will lead the company's merchandising and product development teams and be responsible for product development, design, quality, sourcing, merchandising, planning and wholesale.

Hudson, Ohio – Travis Smith has resigned as president and CEO of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Until a replacement has been identified, Jim Kerr, executive VP and CFO, will serve as Interim CEO of the company, while continuing in his current role as CFO.

The board of directors is undertaking a comprehensive search to identify a replacement. In his role as interim CEO, Kerr will partner with Riddi Kline, executive VP of marketing and merchandising, and Tom Williams, executive VP of operations and HR, to manage the business.

Montreal – Canadian grocery retailer Metro Inc. reported medium results for its third quarter fiscal 2014. Net earnings for third quarter 2014 were $144.5 million, an increase of 0.1% from net earnings of $144.4 million for the same quarter of 2013.

Mississauga, Canada -- Target Canada is launching several initiatives to improve business performance and better deliver the Target brand experience to Canadian customers. Among the initiatives are a partnership with interior designer and TV host Sarah Richardson, who will launch an exclusive home décor line at Target Canada in fall 2015.

Former Ahold and CVS executive Paula Price is the newest member of the Dollar General board of directors.

She joins the board of the 11,500 store retailer at a pivotal time. Dollar General is in the midst of a search for a top executive to succeed Rick Dreiling who has indicated he will step down next year and two of the company’s arch rivals, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, have announced plans to merge.

Columbus, Ohio — Glimcher Realty Trust announced that Scott Barrett has been appointed to the role of VP development – anchor leasing. In this role, Barrett will lead the development, leasing and design activity associated with anchor, big-box and peripheral land deals across the portfolio.

Bebida Beverage Company (BeBevCo), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation and energy products, is rolling out its flagship beverage, KOMA Unwind Liquid Relaxation, at select 7-Eleven stores in the Quad Cities.