Whistling Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.) has named Paul Novak as chief development officer, in charge of all real estate, design and construction efforts and overall asset management for the company's 1078 stores.. He will report directly to president and ceo Frank Lazaran.

The company said Novak, a veteran of hospitality and food management, will focus on defining the core markets to better target the company's future investment and growth strategy. He will also review all non-core markets and developing strategies for exiting these markets. And he will oversee the company's strategic priorities for store image makeovers, which will include exterior and interior decor, lighting, etc., “helping,” the company said, “to create a clearly differentiated Winn-Dixie brand position.”

Last month, Lazaran described plans for an aggressive remodeling program for more than 600 stores over the next 12 months.

Novak was most recently executive vp, chief development officer for Burger King Corp.'s North America division (Miami, Fla.), where he was responsible for all company and franchise development, design and construction for both company and franchised restaurants, as well as asset management in North America. At Burger King, Novak directed a value-engineered re-imaging program for the restaurants.

He has also worked, in the hospitality sector, with Marriott International, Wyndham International and La Quinta Motor Inns. While at Marriott, he was instrumental in the creation of the Courtyard by Marriott and the Fairfield Inn brands and led the initial rollout and development of these two brands.

He replaces Dennis Sheehan, formerly senior vp of real estate, who has resigned from the company.