The MULO Dozen: April in Review

In April, Karla Jo Helms of JOTO PR Disruptors called our media outlet a “must-read for MULO (multi-location) brands navigating the fast-changing terrain of local, digital, and retail.”  To that end, we bring you 12 top stories of each month from the retail, restaurant, service, franchise, hospitality, and convenience store ecosystem.

What these brands are realizing is that they share many of the same challenges in the brick-and-mortar world, as well as in integrating digital sales, marketing, and service into the mix. Looking outside your industry may bring you the best practices you need to scale and thrive.

This month’s news includes:

1. We heard about yet another restaurant / bar bankruptcy, as Bar Louis files for bankruptcy for a second time. The American chain founded in 1990, has about 69 locations. (BUST)
2. Big brands from outside the MULO ecosystem are  entering the “third space” and cashing in on the eatertainment wave. Netflix is the latest company to invest in in-person entertainment, dining, and shopping complexes (INNOVATION)
3. Retailers continue to have a tough time — from head to toe. Footwear brands Payless, Olympia Sports, Shoe City, Rockport Group, Shoes for Crews, & Soleply filed for bankruptcy (BUST)
4. Beyond (the brand that Overstock.com created when it bought Bed, Bath & Beyond) sold 75% ownership of fashion brand Zulily to Lyons Trading for $5 million, while retaining a 25% stake. They bought the brand a mere year ago but want to focus on their core brands, including Buy Buy Baby, which they bought for $5M. (LEADERSHIP)
5. Discount stores are building their own brands as Costco. BJ’s and Sam’s Club increased their store-brand products. Private-label products can help brands keep control of costs and build customer recognition and loyalty. (BOOM)
6. Following market research, The Cheesecake Factory has added 22 new items and removed 13 old ones. Not to worry…this restaurant brand still has cheesecake on the menu. (CONSUMER VOICES)
7. Churn is inevitable in the C-suite, and MULO brands often look to other CPG leaders for talent. Subway hired ex-PepsiCo marketer Greg Lyons as global CMO. (LEADERSHIP)
8. We have covered other food brand “marriages” like the recent combo of Applebee’s and IHOP. Another co-brand is that of Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s. They are opening new street-level and drive-thru locations. (INNOVATION)
9. FreshDirect co-founder and former CEO of FreshDirect was appointed President of Baldor Specialty Foods. (LEADERSHIP)
10. Sonder, which offers apartment-style accommodations, entered a partnership agreement with Marriott. As the implementation unfolds, Sonder reported layoffs and $50 million in cost reductions. (TALENT) 
11.  JCPenney announced even more closures (eight by mid-year 2025). They have closed about 200 stores since filing for bankruptcy five years ago.(BUST)
12. Why settle for just one shelf or section in the grocery store if you can have your products on many shelves? Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and J.M. Smucker are among the brands that are expanding existing products into new grocery store categories (INNOVATION)

Why just read news if you can experience it LIVE? We’re talking about Street Fight LIVE 2025. Watch for announcements of our speaker line-up in May and apply to speak or sponsor!