Restaurant

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Bedding Experts has opened a 4,019-sq.-ft. store at Deerfield Village Centre on Chicago’s North Shore.

The privately held mattress retailer took space vacated by Blockbuster Video, and opened on June 30.

Deerfield Village Centre features 44,083 sq. ft. of retail space that includes Chipotle, Leather Creations, Sprint, and Starbucks among others.
 

Denver -- Quick-serve sandwich chain Quiznos announced that it has named Stuart Mathis as president and CEO, effective July 30.

The company also named Susan Lintonsmith as chief marketing officer.

Mathis was previously president of The UPS Store. He succeeds Greg MacDonald, who is stepping down as Quiznos' president and CEO, effective immediately. 

Lintonsmith was previously senior VP and CMO of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.
 

Darden Restaurants’ recent $585 million purchase of one of casual-dining’s rising stars, Yard House USA, put a spotlight on the brand, which has 39 locations. But Yard House is also generating buzz with its first Boston location, which is located just a stone’s throw away from one of the nation’s most historic sporting venues: Fenway Park.

Dallas -- Davaco Inc. has promoted Tim Currier to VP business development.

In this role, Currier is responsible for identifying new business opportunities and building strategic partnerships with nationwide retail, restaurant and hospitality brands. He reports to Paul Hamer, executive VP business development.
 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- A recent survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers found that Americans consult their social media apps before, during and after retail store visits.

The survey, conducted by customer experience management solution-provider Empathica, found that mobile and social customer experience strategies are becoming more important than ever for brands, with nearly three in four consumers using Facebook to make retail and restaurant decisions.

Carpinteria, Calif. -- CKE Restaurants is planning to expand its Hardee's footprint in the Minneapolis area over the next several years and sees the potential to develop more than 59 new restaurants in the market.

“We are excited to expand in the Minneapolis area, and we're now looking for experienced multi-unit operators to join the brand,” said Jim Sullivan, CKE's senior VP domestic franchise development.

Orlando, Fla. -- Darden Restaurants announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. for $585 million in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners LLC. Yard House operates 39 restaurants in 13 states.

The brand will become part of Darden's Specialty Restaurant Group, which includes The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and Eddie V's.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday named James Skinner, Walgreens board member since 2005 and recently retired McDonalds CEO, as the new nonexecutive chairman of the board of Walgreens. Skinner will succeed Al McNally, who has served on the Walgreens board since 1999 and as nonexecutive chairman since 2009. McNally will continue serving on the Walgreens board.