Baskin-Robbins Opens 4000th International Location … And More Industry News

MANAGEMENT CHANGES

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Carpinteria, Calif.), parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant chains, promoted Brad Haley to chief marketing officer. Haley previously served as executive vp of marketing for Hardee’s in 2000, and had added responsibility for Carl’s Jr. marketing in 2004.

Brand consulting and design firm Landor Associates (Cincinnati) promoted Mary Zalla to president, beginning in August. Zalla currently serves as managing director of the Cincinnati and Chicago offices. In her new role, Zalla will work with Landor’s global leadership team; retain oversight of the Cincinnati and Chicago offices; and continue to report to Craig Branigan, chairman and acting ceo of the firm.

STORE OPENINGS

Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics retailer hhgregg opened four 30,000-square-foot stores in the Pittsburgh area, bringing the company’s total number of locations in Pennsylvania to 18. The chain operates about 180 stores in the U.S.

Ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins (Canton, Mass.) opened its 4000th international location in Novena Square, Singapore. The location also marks the brand's first shop in Singapore and the 48th country in which Baskin-Robbins has a presence. The store features Baskin-Robbins' new international design, which includes lounge-style seating, “pink spoon” door handles, textured walls reminiscent of Baskin-Robbins waffle cones, interactive LCD menu displays and improved dessert displays.

Tex-Mex restaurant El Chico, owned by Consolidated Restaurant Operations Inc. (CRO, Dallas), opened a location in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CRO has development agreements in place to build 100 restaurants over the next seven years including restaurants now operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Cairo. The company operates 117 stores, including Cantina Laredo, Cool River Cafe, Silver Fox, Good Eats, Lucky's and III Forks.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Artitalia Group’s International Visual Corp. (IVC) has expanded its signage offering with Shopview, a digital retail signage service. Earlier this year, the Montreal-based company also opened a West Coast office in Portland, Ore., as well as partnered with a European manufacturer in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.

Carpet manufacturer Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Dalton, Ga.) has increased the recycled content in its Eco Solution Q product to 45 percent. Eco Solution Q, the company’s premium branded Cradle to Cradle Silver certified carpet fiber, now contains 20 percent pre-consumer recycled content and 25 percent post-consumer recycled content.

Flooring manufacturer Amtico Intl. (Atlanta) was certified to the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). The certification recognizes Amtico’s manufacturing facility in Madison, Ga., for safety and health management systems that exceed OSHA standards.

Behavioral research and consulting firm Envirosell (New York) has partnered with creative and marketing communications service provider Index Creative Village (Bangkok) to form Envirosell Thailand in Bangkok.

Gemini Inc. (Cannon Falls, Minn.), manufacturer of dimensional letters, logos and plaques for the sign industry, received re-certification for the Minnesota Green Star Facility Award from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The award recognizes manufacturers for their stewardship in recycling efforts, managing waste streams and protection of human health and the environment.