APPAREL / RETAIL
Del Taco Ratchets Guidance Down
Del Taco Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: TACO) lowered full-year guidance in its most-recent quarterly report. Revenue and net income grew on a 1.4% increase in systemwide same-store sales, with franchised restaurant comps growing faster than company-owned locations.
Sears Closing South Coast Plaza Location
Sears Holdings Corp. plans to shutter its location at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza as part of its just-announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Taco Bell Operator Plans 50 in Australia
Collins Foods Ltd. will open 50 Taco Bell locations in three years in three states in Australia.
GSF in Talks to Sell Some Sites
Golden State Foods Corp. in Irvine said it’s talking with Rosemont, Ill.-based McDonald’s distribution and logistics firm Martin-Brower LLC to sell some distribution centers serving the Golden Arches and reinvest the proceeds to diversify operations.
September Auto Sales Down
Nearly all of the OC automakers reported a drop in September sales on Tuesday with the exception of Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motors North America.
Nékter in 4-State, 30-Unit Deal
Nékter Juice Bar Inc. in Santa Ana said a franchisee will open 30 locations of the juice and smoothie chain in Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, and Washington D.C. The latter two are new markets for Nékter; the first store should open in Florida early next year.
Habit Burger Signs Rare Franchise Deal
Habit Restaurants Inc. said a franchisee will develop nine locations in Eastern Washington and Idaho, with the first ones scheduled to open early next year.
Johnny Rockets Promotes President to CEO
Lake Forest-based Johnny Rockets Group Inc. named President Mike Nolan its chief executive, effective Oct. 1, replacing John Maguire, who has left the company.
Pizza Chain Names Yum Vet President, COO
Mountain Mike’s Pizza LLC hired Jim Metevier as president and chief operating officer.
Rossignol Picks Global Bike Chief
Rossignol Group, a French maker of ski, snowboard and biking products, named Scott Rittschof to a new position as senior vice president of its global bicycle business, based in Irvine.
Restaurant Temp Firm Adds Delivery
ShiftPixy Inc. said it will offer delivery driver employees to fast food and fast casual restaurant clients.
PE-Backed Sauce Maker Buys Salsa Co.
Stir Foods LLC in Orange and Pacifica Foods, which has a facility in Corona, bought an Oceanside-based salsa maker on undisclosed terms.
Ruby’s Files BK
Six affiliates of Ruby’s Diners Inc. filed for bankruptcy August 29, including Ruby’s Quality Diners LLC, Ruby’s SoCal Diners LLC, and four covering specific locations in Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills, Oceanside, and Palm Springs.
Hybrid Apparel Names President
Cypress-based Hybrid Apparel promoted David Lederman from chief operating officer to president.
Marijuana Themed Sub Shop to OC
Cheba Hut Franchising Inc. in Ft. Collins, Colo., wants to open eight locations in Orange County, part of a push for at least 38 shops in Southern California.
