News Briefs

The Wendy’s Company has big expansion plans for the next few years.

At the quick-serve hamburger giant’s 2025 Investor Day event, the chain detailed its future growth strategy, which includes new stores worldwide and new investments in technology and operations. 

Wendy’s plans to add 1,000 net new restaurants globally by 2028, reaching between 8,100 and 8,300 total. The chain says it will invest in “key markets” and “globalize” its supply chain to build stronghold positions to fuel growth at scale.

"In order to execute on our strategy, we are investing in building new restaurants around the globe and deploying technology that will enhance the customer experience and increase restaurant profitability," said Ken Cook, chief financial officer at Wendy’s, who joined the quick-serve chain in December. "Our objective is to create value for our customers, our franchisees, and our shareholders.”

Wendy’s says it plans to improve its customer experience by prioritizing convenience through “seamless digital and technology integration,” and raising the level of hospitality, consistency and “executional excellence” across its global system.

“The Wendy's brand has tremendous strength, and we will unlock its full potential, scaling our system to match the power of our brand," said Kirk Tanner, president and CEO of Wendy's. "Our relentless pursuit of excellence in our food and our restaurants will position Wendy's for long-term success as we win across our global markets.”

[READ MORE: Taco Bell eyes 3,000 international stores by 2030]

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Wendy’s operates more than 1,000 restaurants worldwide. 

Lands’ End Inc. is looking into its options.

The women’s apparel retailer said that its board has started a process to explore strategic alternatives, including a sale, merger or similar transaction to maximize shareholder value.

The move comes several weeks after billionaire investor and majority shareholder Edward “Eddie” Lampert sent a letter to the board in February advocating for a sale. (Lands’ End was spun-off by Sears Holdings in 2014 as a standalone public company under the direction of CEO Lampert.)

“While we remain confident in the company’s potential for future value creation, the board also believes that the market is undervaluing this great company and its upside potential,” said Josephine Linden, board chair.

“As a result, in consultation with the board’s legal and financial advisors, we have determined it is an appropriate time to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.”

No assurances can be given as to the outcome or timing of the board’s process, the company said.

Perella Weinberg Partners serves as Lands’ End’s financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz serves as Lands’ End’s legal advisor.

A regional grocery wholesaler and co-op is deploying an end-to-end automation system at a Utah supply chain facility.

Associated Food Stores (AFS), which operates corporate and member stores across the Intermountain West, is now utilizing an automated platform with robotic case pick capabilities from Symbotic at its distribution center in Farr West, Utah.

As a result, the grocer hopes to improve a variety of enterprise supply chain workflows, including expanding its assortment. AFS also seeks to improve the accuracy of store deliveries while also making store aisle-friendly pallet deliveries.

In addition, AFS intends to increase speed-to-shelf and SKU availability while improving inventory utilization for AFS itself.

"The successful activation of phase one is a testament to our dedication to providing exceptional service to our member retailers," said David Rice, AFS president and CEO. "By embracing advanced automation and partnering with Symbotic, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of supply chain innovation, ensuring that our retailers receive products more efficiently and accurately than ever before."

Symbotic recently entered a $500 million-plus deal with Walmart that will see the company, which has a longstanding warehouse automation partnership with the discounter, enhance Walmart’s current online pickup and delivery fulfillment systems. Symbotic will also design new systems to help it develop an integrated and automated supply chain.

"Implementing the Symbotic system creates great opportunities for our distribution center team members to grow their skill sets and expand their future opportunities with the company,” said Glen Keysaw, AFS VP of distribution.

All current employees at the distribution center will have jobs going forward.

[READ MORE: Associated Food Stores personalizes customer engagement]

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, AFS serves nearly 500 retailers across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

Seven & i Holdings announced a major restructuring as part of its effort to head off a $47 billion bid by Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard, whose holdings include Circle K and other convenience store chains.

As part of the restructuring, the company is planning an initial public offering of its North American 7-Eleven business, which is based in Texas, by the second half of 2026. Seven & i would retain majority share of 7-Eleven, which operates 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada

In addition, Seven & i Holdings appointed Stephen Hayes Dacus, chairman of the board and lead independent outside director of the company, as CEO, effective in May. Dacus, who speaks fluent Japanese, is the company’s first non-Japanese leader. He has worked for years in Japan’s retail industry, including stints at Uniqlo’s parent company and as CEO of Walmart Japan, reported the New York Times.

Seven & i also plans to sell some non-convenience store assets, including supermarkets and other retail stores, to Bain Capital for $5.37 billion, with the transaction is scheduled to close in September. The company plans to use the proceeds of the sale to Bain and the 7-Eleven IPO to repurchase approximately $13.2 billion in share buybacks that return the aggregate capital to shareholders.

At a news conference in Tokyo, Dacus said that, with its recent restructuring efforts, Seven & i aimed to pivot from a “general retailer” to a “global convenience store champion” that would focus on bringing Japan-quality food to overseas markets, including the United States, the Times reported.

In North American, in addition to its namesake stores, 7-Eleven also operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Co. and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations.

Walmart Inc. is making it easier for expecting and new parents (and their families and friends) to acquire baby products.

The discount giant is launching an updated version of its baby registry with omnichannel features including the ability to register and shop online, in-app and at any of its more than 4,000 U.S. stores.

Thes upgraded Walmart baby registry also provides gift-tracking capabilities and gift receipts, shopping checklists, an exclusive one-year return window for registry users, and a free welcome box with complimentary items for parents and baby upon signing up.

Thousands of items on the Walmart baby registry are available for its Express Delivery service that provides delivery in 30 to 90 minutes, as well as for curbside pickup.

"Less time running around means more time for snuggles, first smiles, and maybe even a little rest, because when every moment counts, giving time back to parents is the most valuable gift of all," said Ryland Allen, VP of merchandising, baby consumables & hardlines at Walmart.

'Baby Days' promotion returns to Walmart

In another nod to babies and their parents, Walmart is once again hosting an omnichannel “Baby Days” promotion featuring online and in-store deals on products for infants and toddlers.

Running through Monday, March 31, 2025, Walmart Baby Days includes discounts on products such as car seats, strollers, baby wash, baby monitors, and apparel items. See specific examples of products on sale here.

[READ MORE: Walmart prices thousands of back-to-school items under $10]

Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.

Academy Sports + Outdoors has added to its C-suite with a tech-focused appointment.

The Texas-based sporting goods and outdoor recreation chain has announced the appointment of Sumit Anand to the role of executive VP and chief information officer. In this position Anand will oversee all enterprise technology operations including cybersecurity, IT infrastructure and operations, and IT shared services supporting the company's corporate, distribution center, and retail initiatives.

Anand joins Academy from home decor retailer At Homes, where he served as chief strategy officer and chief information officer since June 2018. He was previously senior VP of business and technology transformation at Signet Jewelers for more than three years, and spent eight years at IT company Accenture before that.

[READ MORE: Academy Sports details 2025 store opening plans]

Founded in 1938 as a family business, Academy operates more than 300 stores across 21 states. Last year, the company said it plans to open 20 to 25 stores in 2025.