News Briefs

Starbucks Corp. is testing out an assistant store manager position in select U.S. stores.

The coffee giant is running a pilot through December 2025 in select coffeehouses in California, Illinois and Texas where 62 employees are filling newly created, dedicated full-time assistant store manager roles. Of these new hires, Starbucks says 90% (56 out of 62) are internal shift supervisors and baristas who volunteered to step into the positions.  

Starbucks plans to bring at least one assistant store manager to every U.S. and Canadian location in 2026, which it says will create thousands of new leadership roles and double the leadership support in its stores.

According to the company, stores with high barista and shift supervisor engagement scores saw the strongest interest in assistant store manager roles and stores with stable leadership deliver stronger results across the board. Starbucks says its assistant store manager initiative is part of a commitment to hire 90% of retail leadership roles internally, within the next three years. 

Meanwhile, the company continues to revamp its U.S. operations as part of its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy under CEO Brian Niccol, who took the reins one year ago. The coffee giant has approved a restructuring plan, expected to cost about $1 billion, that includes closing underperforming locations and cutting more non-retail jobs. 

While Starbucks ending its fiscal year 2025 in September with store shutterings, the company said it is committed to growth and plans to grow the number of coffeehouses it operates in fiscal 2026. Starbucks also has launched an extensive store "refresh" initiative that involves upgrading more than 1,000 existing locations during the next 12 months with more comfortable furnishings and other enhancements. 

[READ MORE: Starbucks to give makeovers to 1,000 cafes by end of 2026]

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Amazon is continuing a program it began to assist food banks in the U.S. and U.K. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The online giant announced at its recent Delivering the Future 2025 event in San Francisco that its has delivered more than 60 million meals, for free, from food banks across the U.S. and U.K. directly to families and individuals in need.

Amazon is also extending its commitment to continue providing free delivery services for its more than 40 food bank partners through 2028. 

"The impact of home delivery goes beyond convenience—research shows that it can save families on average $100 monthly in time and travel costs," said Bettina Stix, Amazon global director of community impact. "By extending home delivery through 2028, we're committing to continue using our delivery network to help ensure families have reliable access to nutritious meals."

This partnership is designed to help food banks reach people facing transportation barriers, mobility challenges, or other obstacles that prevent access to traditional food assistance programs. The program leverages its existing delivery network, including Delivery Service Partner (DSP) delivery associates, Amazon Flex delivery partners, and its recently expanded rural delivery infrastructure.

[READ MORE: Amazon investing more than $4B in rural delivery]

Amazon transports groceries from suppliers to food banks, and from food banks to pantries, schools, and other community distribution points using its fleet of tractor-trailers, box trucks, and vans. The company is also piloting new programs designed specifically for rural areas and during summer 2025 delivered meals to kids while school was out.

The Kroger Co. is offering seasonal price discounts in a variety of categories and is giving loyalty members a chance to earn extra points.

The grocery giant is offering limited-time fall discounts on a variety of items including beef, eggs and produce throughout the remainder of October and into mid-November. These include a buy-one-get-one event from Wednesday, Oct. 29-Tuesday, Nov. 4, including some private label grocery items; as well as spend $75 and save $10 on Kroger pickup and delivery with a digital coupon Oct. 29-Saturday, Nov 8. See more discounts here.

In addition, Kroger is also offering a fall fuel event, offering 4X bonus fuel points 2X fuel points on gift card purchases during the weekend of Nov. 7-9. Customers can earn fuel points in October and November with additional offers including:

• 4X fuel points on Private Selection purchases now through Nov. 4, with a digital coupon or in-store with an accessible paper coupon.
• Customers who join the Boost by Kroger Plus paid loyalty program tier will earn 2X fuel points on purchases every day.  
• 25 fuel points for every qualifying prescription filled at Kroger store banners and 75 Fuel Points for every qualifying 90-day refill.

"As families have settled into back-to-school routines and traded grilling season for slow cooker meals, we are looking to help customers save in many areas of their budget from everyday grocery hauls to seasonal essentials and fuel," said Mary Ellen Adcock, executive VP and chief merchant and marketing officer. "With everyday low prices, weekly savings opportunities and fuel points, at Kroger, value is our key ingredient." 

[READ MORE: Kroger teams with GoodRx to offer pharmacy discounts]

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Kroger operates nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states across banners including Kroger, Mariano’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter.

A major East Coast real estate services firm has added veteran talent to its leadership team.

Levin Management Corporation (LMC) has appointed Nisha Patel as its new chief operating officer. In this leadership role, she will oversee day-to-day operations and support continued growth across LMC’s 16 million-sq.-ft. real estate portfolio.

Patel most recently served as head of asset management and dispositions at Essential Properties Realty Trust, where she oversaw a $6 billion retail portfolio. In that role, she led operational strategy, executed more than 100 property dispositions and maintained a portfolio vacancy rate below 1%.

[READ MORE: Levin Management Corp. hits nearly 570,000 sq. ft. of leases at midyear]

“Nisha has led some of the most complex real estate portfolios in the country and knows how to build strong, effective teams,” said Matthew K. Harding, CEO of LMC. “Her operational expertise and leadership style are a great fit for our firm. We’re excited to have her help drive the next chapter of our growth.”

LMC says that as COO, Patel will work closely with the firm’s executive leadership team in implementing technology solutions, strengthening cross-department collaboration and positioning the company for scalable growth.

“LMC has a long track record as a trusted operator,” Patel said. “I look forward to building on that legacy by strengthening operations, enhancing collaboration and helping the team continue to deliver great results for our clients and communities.”

North Plainfield, N.J.-based LMC is a full-service commercial real estate services firm with more than 70 years of experience. The company’s portfolio includes approximately 125 properties across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, primarily focused on grocery-anchored open-air retail centers.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers is quickly growing its store footprint in its home state and beyond.

The chicken finger franchise signed five franchise agreements in the third quarter, including a 44-unit deal and an eight-unit deal to expand in western Texas, a three-unit deal that marks the brand’s entry to Oregon, and a 13-unit addition to its Wisconsin franchisees' already multi-unit development agreement.

"The close of the third quarter was yet another milestone that marked the strength of our growth and Layne's increasing appeal nationwide," said Layne’s CEO Garrett Reed. "Sealing a landmark 44-unit deal in our home state – which means the Texas market is now 95% sold out – and expanding with existing owners in our system is a testament to the investment opportunity."

Founded in College Station, Texas in 1994, Layne’s has opened 14 new restaurants so far this year, including seven in the third quarter. The chain operates approximately 50 locations in total.

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"It's been an excellent quarter for us," said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer at Layne’s. "Opening seven exceptional restaurants was no small feat, and the fact that we were able to break systemwide revenue records shows just how incredible the demand for Layne's continues to be. And as always, we continue to look inward, celebrating milestones like our Wisconsin partners adding 13 more units to their agreement. This is the strongest validation we could ask for."

Layne’s is known for its chicken tenders and secret dipping sauce.