Strategy

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, owner of the Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch banners among others, said Friday it has named Mike Mrlik as SVP of CraftWorks and as president of Old Chicago.

Mrlik is charged with leading Old Chicago’s brand refresh as 55 locations roll out a redesign with an emphasis on ramped-up service and experience.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has promoted Jill Soltau to president. She will retain her position as the retailer’s CMO.

Soltau has more than 25 years of experience in the retail industry and joined Shopko in 2007 as SVP and GMM of apparel and accessories. In 2009, she was promoted to EVP and CMO. Prior to joining Shopko, Soltau held several senior level positions in merchandising, planning and private brand at Sears and Kohl's department stores. She started her career with Carson Pirie Scott in Milwaukee.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as the keynote speaker for the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting, which will be held April 20 to 23 in Palm Beach, Fla.

TTi Floor care, manufacturing of Hoover and Dirt Devil floor care products, is investing in American innovation.

The Glenwillow, Ohio-based company said it would hire more than 200 new electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, technicians and industrial designers nationwide over the next three years. The increased investment in engineering, innovation and design is part of the company’s strategy to stay at the forefront of its industry.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko announced that Jill Soltau has been promoted to the position of president and CMO.

Soltau joined Shopko in 2007 as SVP and GMM apparel and accessories. In 2009, she was promoted to EVP and CMO. Prior to joining Shopko, Soltau held several senior level positions in merchandising, planning and private brand at Sears and Kohl's department stores.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro is bringing the Tetris video game brand into the world of face-to-face gaming.

The Tetris Company, the exclusive licensor of the Tetris brand, has given Hasbro the green light to manufacture and globally market multiple face-to-face games based on the popular video game brand.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Appcelerator, a leading mobile development platform, has Gamiel Gran as VP of business development and Neeraj Gupta as VP of engineering.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that in 2013 it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, for an increase of 4.5% to 5%. The company also announced that it is expanding to Southern California as part of its long-term goal of having more than 15,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United States alone.