APPAREL / RETAIL
Habit Heads East, Farther East
Irvine-based Habit Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: HABT) signed deals to add 32 locations in new territories for the fast casual burger chain—New England and Cambodia.
Taco Bell Chief Brand Officer Departs
Marisa Thalberg resigned as Taco Bell’s chief brand officer, with her duties handed to Senior Vice President of Marketing Melissa Friebe and Tracee Larocca, senior vice president of advertising and brand engagement.
Hyundai Goes Long on NFL
Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley will sponsor the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kura Sushi Goes Public
Shares of Irvine’s Kura Sushi USA (Nasdaq: KRUS) surged during its first day of trading as the operator of 22 U.S. revolving sushi bar restaurants completed Orange County’s first initial public offering this year.
ShiftPixy Names New Finance Chief
Irvine-based ShiftPixy Inc., (Nasdaq: PIXY), a tech-based temp agency for restaurants, named Domonic Carney chief financial officer, replacing Patrice Launay, who is leaving a company that has steadily lost value this year.
JD Power Sold
Costa Mesa consumer data company J.D. Power was bought by private equity investor Thoma Bravo, in Chicago, on undisclosed terms.
Del Taco Shares Down on Same Store Miss
Del Taco Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: TACO) shares fell 8% after reporting second quarter same store sales that missed analysts’ expectations.
Nike May Sell Hurley: Reuters
Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE), the world’s largest sportswear maker, is considering selling Costa Mesa-based Hurley International, Reuters said, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.
Adderton Loses Bid to Buy Boost
Peter Adderton, the founder of Irvine-based Boost Mobile, said he was unsuccessful in his attempt to acquire his old firm from Sprint Corp.
Garden Grove Gets Entertainment Layout
Construction has begun on Starlight Cinemas West Grove, a 29,000-square-foot movie theater, which will anchor a new entertainment complex in Garden Grove.
BJ’s Revenue Up, Earnings Down
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: BJRI) in Huntington Beach reported net income of $14.2 million, down about 17%, on revenue of $301.1 million, up nearly 5%, in its second quarter, compared with the same period last year.
Under Armour to Outfit Local Football League
Teams in South County Trojans Youth Football in Mission Viejo will get game and practice apparel and uniforms from Baltimore-based Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA).
Chipotle Adds Worker Bonuses
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. added a program for hourly employees to qualify for bonuses of up to an extra month of pay annually for workers who qualify.
Chipotle Q2 Tops Analysts’ Expectations
Newport Beach’s Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) reported second quarter revenue and adjusted profit that beat analysts’ consensus estimates.
Sushi Seller Sets IPO Terms
Irvine’s Kura Sushi USA, which operates 22 U.S. revolving sushi bar restaurants, has set the terms for what could be Orange County’s first initial public offering this year.