Corporate Governance

An industry veteran has been tapped to lead operations at of the nation's fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant companies.    Mod Super Fast Pizza Holdings has appointed  Paul Twohig to the new role of COO,  effective immediately. The appointment comes as the company continues its rapid expansion in the United States and abroad. With Twohig’s arrival, Chris Schultz, former senior VP of operations, will take on the new role of senior VP, international to lead Mod’s development abroad.  

Fred's named Jason Jenne as executive VP and CFO. He will replace outgoing CFO Rick Hans, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Hans will stay onboard as an advisor until August 18, to ensure a smooth transition.  

Amazon isn’t wasting any time in entering the booming meal kit category.  

On the heels of opening its first location in Arizona, West Elm is entering a new state.   The home furnishings retailer, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its first store in Maine, in the historic Old Port district of Portland. The 12,000 sq. ft. location will open its doors on Thursday, July 27.   

An important demographic for many retailers appears to be staying home more these days.   In remarks at  Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech Conference in Aspen, Colorado, Target CEO Brian Cornell cited an 11% dip in shopping activity among Hispanic consumers in the past several months. (A Target spokesman said later he was referencing industrywide data from the NPD Group, The Star-Tribune reported.)   “There’s almost a cocooning factor,” Cornell said.  

Businesses are eager to better serve their clients, but most lack the skills, processes and technology needed to leverage data effectively.   In fact, 61% of U.S. companies agree that inaccurate data is undermining their ability to provide an excellent customer experience, according to “Investing in Digital Transformation: The Year’s Most Sought-After Data Roles,” a report from Experian Data Quality.  

Pizza Hut is making big moves to improve the accuracy and reliability of its delivery experience.   The subsidiary of Yum! Brands plans to hire nearly 3,000 new drivers a month through the end of the year. The hiring effort, which will include full and part-time positions, will add approximately 14,000 new drivers across its delivery fleet, according to the company.   

The TJX Companies will debut a new, off-price home store concept in August.    HomeSense will open its initial U.S. location on  August 17, in Framingham, Mass.  Three additional stores are planned by the end of 2017, with locations in East Hanover, N.J., Ocean Township, N.J., and Westwood, Mass.  

Walmart is bringing 1,500 jobs to Florida as it continues to expand its e-commerce fulfillment network.  

  Retailers who frustrate consumers risk brand abandonment.    Almost half of North American and European consumers surveyed by the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council say they will abandon a brand if they continuously encounter a poor, impersonal or frustrating customer experience across channels of engagement. The study was undertaken in partnership with SAP Hybris.