News Briefs

When it comes to filing for trademarks, a discount retailer tops the list.

Target Corp. filed for more trademark applications than any other company in the U.S. last year, submitting 525 trademark applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It marked the third-consecutive year that Target has led the nation in trademark filings, reported The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Target’s filings reflected the retailer’s ongoing focus on expanding its private-label assortment. The retailer currently has more than 40 private, or “owned,” brands that accounted for approximately $30 billion in sales in 2024. 

The company's private label assortment include well-known lines such as Cat & Jack, Good & Gather, and Threshold, as well as newer ones that include Dealworthy, a value-priced essentials brand, the company launched last year. Also last year, Target relaunched and expanded its up+up brand, which it debuted 15 years ago and now accounts for nearly $3 billion in annual sales. 

More recently, in April 2025, Target launched its first-ever standalone fresh floral brand, Good Joy Garden.

Target was by no means the only retailer among the top trademark filers in 2024. Aldi had 255 applications, Walmart had 211 applications, and Lidl had 177 applications.  

Broken Yolk Café is expanding into a major new market.

The California-founded breakfast and brunch chain has signed a new four-unit development deal that will bring four locations to Los Angeles County, introducing the chain to a new area. The first location, which is tentatively set to open in the first quarter of 2026, will debut in Downey.

Brothers John, Bryant and Jason Corona have partnered with their father, Juan Corona, and uncle, Saul DeLa Rosa, to expand Broken Yolk’s presence in Southern California. Juan was the first-ever franchisee to join El Pollo Loco in 1981. The family also operates multiple Movita Juice Bar locations.

“Our family had the opportunity to dine in at one of Broken Yolk Cafe’s Las Vegas locations not too long ago, and the experience left a lasting impression,” said John Corona. “The food was incredible, the hospitality was infectious, and after getting to meet the brand’s president for ourselves, it was clear the leadership and direction of the franchise were second to none.”

Founded in 1979 in the San Diego area, Broken Yolk has expanded into Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. The chain operates a systemwide total of 41 locations.

[READ MORE: Report: Restaurants to add 490,000 summer jobs this year]

“Even as Broken Yolk stretches its roots across the American Southwest, it’s wonderful to watch as our brand continues to grow more prominent right here at home in Southern California,” said John Gelastopoulos, president of Broken Yolk Café. “Juan’s family understands what it means to lead with a people-first mentality, and will be excellent partners in sharing our ‘Brunch on the Sunnyside’ mantra with new communities along the West Coast.”

A new mobile app streamlines the process of finding and purchasing groceries at the best available prices.

Initially rolled out in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Grocery Dealz uses artificial intelligence technology to provide real-time price comparisons and automate the digital checkout process, linking consumers to their preferred retailer websites to complete their purchase.

"This app is for the mom already doing everything to stretch her grocery budget," said Micheal Waldroup, Grocery Dealz co-founder and CEO. "We’re not here to teach you how to save — we’re here to make saving fairer, faster, and less frustrating."

Built with the help of digital product service provider InspiringApps, the free app delivers real-time price comparisons across local grocery stores, as well as provides smart product suggestions when preferred items aren’t on sale. Grocery Dealz will then directly integrate with grocery apps for seamless checkout.

[READ MORE: Survey: Majority of shoppers visit multiple retailers, compare prices]

Following the Dallas-Fort Worth launch, Grocery Dealz plans to evaluate user feedback and market response before expanding to additional Texas markets. The company’s long-term vision includes nationwide availability and continued enhancement of its savings features.

"It can be very time-consuming to coupon clip and find the best deals," said Waldroup. "Our platform helps you compare prices across stores and products, and complete purchases through your preferred retailer’s app. It’s grocery savings all in one app.”

The Wendy’s Company has started a search for a new leader.

The quick-serve restaurant company said that Kirk Tanner, president and CEO, is leaving to become president and CEO of The Hershey Company. Tanner joined Wendy’s in 2024 after more than 30 years at PepsiCo. His last day at Wendy’s will be July 18.

The Wendy’s board has appointed CFO Ken Cook as interim CEO while it conducts a “comprehensive” search to select a permanent CEO. Cook, who remains CFO, played a major role in developing Wendy's long-term growth strategy, the company said.

Prior to joining Wendy’s, Cook spent 20 years at United Parcel Service (UPS) in roles of increasing responsibility, including having most recently served as head of financial planning and analysis. Prior to that, he served as CFO for the $60 billion U.S. domestic segment of UPS. 

"Our senior leadership team has established a very clear strategic blueprint for growth and is already beginning to execute on this strategy,” said Wendy's board chairman Art Winkleblack. “We are grateful to Ken for accepting the role of interim CEO and have the utmost confidence in him and the senior leadership team to lead the company and to continue to execute on our growth plan."

Winkleblack added, "We understand Kirk's decision to return to the consumer-packaged goods industry and wish him well in leading Hershey."

Tanner will become CEO of Hershey’s effective Aug. 18. He will succeed Michele Buck, who is retiring after almost 20 years at Hershey, including almost eight as CEO.

Moms are very often the lead decision makers for family purchases – and product information plays a key role in what they decide to purchase.

A new survey from motherhood and pregnancy media outlet What to Expect reveals that more than three-quarters (77%) of mothers are primary decision-makers for family purchases, with more than half (55%) saying that managing family finances mostly falls to them.

More than half of moms (57%) surveyed said “proven safe” is a top priority when buying for their kids, and 52% say they’ve walked away from a product because of poor online reviews. A quarter of moms said they’ve skipped a purchase entirely because the product lacked enough photos or details that could address any safety factors or concerns. 

Forty-three percent of moms said they want to choose products that make them feel like they’re doing the best they can for their family.

Product reviews are key to purchase decisions, especially with prices remaining high amid new tariffs on imported goods. What to Expect said that one mom in its survey said “I care about quality, ease of use and adaptability, but I also have a tight budget.” Another noted that she struggles with “having to choose between so many options, and price differences.”

[READ MORE: JLL: Back-to-school spending to rise 17%]

What to Expect surveyed 1,881 women in January through February 2025 for its How Mom Shops Today Study. Respondents were U.S. women, age 18-54 who were either pregnant or had a child under eight years old.

[READ MORE: Bob’s Discount Furniture to open 20 new stores in 2025]