Strategy

New Orleans — Smoothie King Franchises has announced that it is targeting Atlanta for franchise expansion. The company, which will unveil its new store design next month in South Florida, plans to open 25 new locations in the Atlanta region over the next five years.

Los Angeles — CBRE Group has promoted Curt Grantham to president, global corporate services, Americas. In his new post, Grantham will oversee client management and account operations as well as all GCS regional leadership in the Americas. He will report to Jim Wilson, global chief operating officer, GCS, CBRE.

In his new position, Grantham will join CBRE’s Americas operations management board. He will continue to serve on CBRE’s GCS executive committee.

Albertson, N.Y. - Facilities service management company ServiceChannel is partnering with cloud-based business intelligence platform GoodData. Through this partnership, ServiceChannel customers will now be able to have access to more than a dozen years of independent GoodView cost and performance data through its ProView intuitive reporting and visualization platform.

President Obama in his State of the Union address last night said he plans to sign an executive order increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour for workers on new government contracts and asked Congress to approve the same increase for all workers — and the National Retail Federation is not happy.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued a response ahead of the president’s address.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target Corp. announced that it will continue its Canadian expansion in 2014 by adding another nine locations to the 124 Target stores now open in all 10 provinces. The majority of the new stores will open in Ontario, with single store additions planned for Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.

Leading global brand extension agency Beanstalk has promoted Allison Ames to president of the company. In her new role, Ames will assume many of the day-to-day leadership and operational responsibilities for the company globally.

She will also work alongside CEO Michael Stone on many of the company’s short and long-term strategic growth initiatives.

New York -- Record levels of engagement helped Facebook grow revenue in its fourth quarter, ended December 31, by 63% to nearly $2.59 billion. Full year revenues advanced 55% to nearly $7.9 billion.

Net income increased 116% to $1.13 billion, from $523 million, or three cents a share.

Target plans to carry on its Canadian expansion this year with nine additional stores, the majority of which will open in Ontario, although the retailer plans to open single stores in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.