News Briefs
- 6/6/2025
Little Caesars to make debut in India
Little Caesars is set to open its first stores in the world’s most-populated country.
The Detroit-based pizza giant is officially expanding into India, which will mark its 30th country of operation. The first store is set to open in the Delhi National Capital Region later this month, with plans for additional locations to follow.
Little Caesars’ expansion into India is led by Harnessing Harvest – a franchisee powered by nearly nine decades of legacy in the Indian food and hospitality industry. Recent international debuts include launches in markets such as Cambodia and Kuwait.
The chain says it has created an entirely new and unique menu exclusively for guests in India, blending its “signature quality and value with bold, local flavors.”
"Launching in India marks an exciting milestone for Little Caesars as we expand into our 30th country,” said Paula Vissing, president of global retail at Little Caesars. “With our delicious pizzas and unbeatable value, we're eagerly anticipating introducing a unique menu that we believe will captivate India. Our mission has always been to offer delicious, high-quality food at exceptional prices, and we can't wait to introduce Little Caesars to families, students, and busy professionals throughout India."
[READ MORE: These pizza retailers have the highest customer satisfaction ratings]
Founded in 1959, Little Caesars is the third-largest pizza chain in the world, operating more than 4,300 locations globally.
- 6/6/2025
Dave's Hot Chicken acquired for $1 billion
The same private equity firm that purchased Subway last year has acquired an emerging fast-casual powerhouse.
Roark Capital has acquired Dave’s Hot Chicken for approximately $1 billion, which the company says will allow the chain to enter its “next phase of growth and innovation.”
Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains, with more than 400 restaurants expected to be open worldwide by the end of the year. The company says it has sold the rights to more than 1,000 franchise locations in the United States, Canada and the Middle East, and will open more than 155 locations this year.
Started by three childhood friends in Los Angeles, Dave’s Hot Chicken is known for Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sandwiches. The chain’s leadership team will remain in place post-acquisition.
[READ MORE: Placer.ai: Raising Cane's, Dave's Hot Chicken top QSR, fast-casual sectors in Q1]
“This is one of the great entrepreneurial journeys of our time, and now we begin the next chapter in the story,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, who took the reins of the company in 2019. “Our entire organization is excited about the fit between Dave’s Hot Chicken and Roark, and we’re looking forward to continuing to blow our guests’ minds and unlocking growth and value for our franchise partners.”
Atlanta-based Roark has roughly $40 billion in assets under management. Last year, the firm acquired Subway for an estimated $9.6 billion, making it one of the biggest deals in the restaurant industry since Roark’s Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ Brands for $11.3 billion in 2020.
Other restaurant chains in Roark’s portfolio include Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby's, Jimmy John's and Sonic.
- 6/5/2025
Whole Foods opens third small-format store in Hell’s Kitchen
Residents of Hell’s Kitchen, the famed neighborhood west of the Theater District in New York City, were welcomed with free coffee, breakfast bites, and limited-edition tote bags at the opening of Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.
The 8,500-sq.-ft. market at 301 West 50th Street is just the third location for the chain’s new small format, the other two also being in Manhattan in Lenox Hill on the East Side and at StuyTown on the Lower East Side. The markets feature more than 400 local items from the Northeast.
“The Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood is very dynamic. We’re steps away from great entertainment and some of the best restaurants in the city,” said Joel Jimenez, the store team leader of Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.
“If you need a quick lunch, some ingredients on your way home from work, or if you’re stopping in for dinner to-go ahead of a show, we’re ready to serve you,” Jimenez said.
As part of its commitment to supporting local communities, Whole Foods Market contributed in-kind product to support the work of New York Common Pantry and plans to make a donation to the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project.
Future Whole Foods Market Daily Shop locations are also planned for Hoboken, N.J., and Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Additionally, the first location in the D.C. area is planned for the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Va.
- 6/5/2025
eBay to host national live sales event series
eBay Inc. is launching “eBay Live on Tour,” a live event series bringing livestream shopping and collector experiences to cities across the country.
Beginning Saturday, June 14, 2025, the tour will showcase top eBay sellers, curated inventory, special guests, and real-time broadcasts from hobby shops, conventions and trade nights.
"eBay Live is about more than just buying — it’s about bringing people together over shared passions," said Caroline Pougnier, U.S. GM, eBay Live. "This tour is our way of showing up for the community — meeting collectors where they are and celebrating The Hobby together."
The first stop is in Cooper City, Fla., at local hobby shop and eBay seller AA Mint Cards from 3–7 p.m. ET. The event will include livestreamed coverage, an appearance from collegiate basketball star Boogie Fland and hands-on experiences for local collectors.
The events will also be broadcast via the eBay Live interactive livestream shopping platform. Tour stops include (with more to be announced):
- June 14 – Cooper City, Fla: Hobby Block Party at AA Mint
- June 27–29 – Tampa: Card Party East
- July 19 – Los Angeles: Trade Night at Bullpen HQ
- July 24–27 – San Diego: San Diego Comic-Con
- Aug. 9 – Los Angeles: Hobby Block Party at Lucky Vault
- Aug. 19–23 – Oklahoma City: ANA World’s Fair of Money
- Sep. 27 – Hamilton Square, N.J.: Trade Night at TNT North Jersey
- Oct. 9–12 – New York: New York Comic Con
- Nov. 15 – Las Vegas: Hobby Block Party at Legacy Sports Shop
[READ MORE: ‘Pokemon Day’ returns to eBay – for three days]
- 6/5/2025
Dollar General teams with Kathy Ireland for new celebrity home line
Dollar General continues expanding its private brand assortments with help from some famous names and brands.
The discount retailer is revamping its "Home Valley" home selection with collections from celebrities, name brands and designers including supermodel Kathy Ireland, Betseyville, Beverly Hills Polo Club and Simply Belle by Simply Southern.
"With a shared commitment of serving the underserved, we are delighted to partner with Dollar General to offer affordable luxuries that will make a house truly feel like a home," said Kathy Ireland, chair and CEO of Kathy Ireland Brands.
Launching during summer 2025 across more than 20,000 Dollar General stores, the expanded Home Valley collections is designed to appeal to shoppers seeking quality items at affordable prices from recognizable national brands through a “treasure hunt” experience.
"Dollar General is committed to offering our customers a constant flow of exciting industry brands that amplify the surprise element of our non-consumable initiative," said Johanna Blankush, senior VP, general merchandising manager at Dollar General. "We are dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our customers while staying on top of the latest trends."
During the first quarter of 2025, Dollar General added approximately 100 new private brand products, more than half of which were under the Clover Valley name.
[READ MORE: Dollar General’s new private label items will include…]
As of May 2, 2025, Dollar General Corp. operated 20,582 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the U.S. and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico.
- 6/5/2025
Papa Johns names new chief administrative officer
Papa Johns has promoted a longstanding C-suite employee to a new role.
The pizza giant has named Caroline Miller Oyler as chief administrative officer, effective immediately. She has served as the company’s chief legal and risk officer since 2018 and will continue in her role as corporate secretary.
In her expanded role, Oyler will now oversee human resources and culture (People Experience), legal, risk, safety and security, internal audit and facilities. Papa Johns says the consolidation of these key business support functions is designed to “enable efficiency and closer collaboration across teams.”
Oyler has been with Papa Johns for 26 years and has served as interim leader of the human resources function on three occasions, from 2008 to 2009, 2018 to 2019, and in 2022.
“Caroline has been an integral part of Papa Johns for more than two decades,” said Todd Penegor, CEO of Papa Johns. “Her deep institutional knowledge and proven leadership across multiple functions make her ideally suited to lead this newly formed role as we continue to transform our company for long-term growth.”
[READ MORE: Papa Johns expands Google AI partnership]
Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories.
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