Market Newsdesk

OAK BROOK, Ill., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hub Group (NASDAQ: HUBG), announced today that it has been awarded Supply & Demand ChainExecutive’s (SDCE) Green Supply Chain Award and Food Logistics 100+ Top Software and Technology Providers.

SDCE’s Green Supply Chain Award recognizes companies making green or sustainability a core part of their supply chain strategy and are working to achieve measurable sustainability goals within their own operations. The award also recognizes providers of supply chain solutions and services assisting their customers in achieving measurable sustainability goals.

The annual Food Logistics 100+ Top Software and Technology Providers honors leading software and technology providers that ensure a safe, efficient and reliable global food and beverage supply chain.

“This year’s 13th-annual award recognizes enterprises that leveraged green practices and solutions to further drive sustainable improvements in their supply chain,” says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. “From software solutions to transportation management systems to several other initiatives designed to reduce carbon footprint and improve the re-use of materials, sustainability continues to rank as a key component to a stronger, safer and more efficient supply chain.”

“Hub Group is proud to receive these two industry awards that reinforce our commitment to sustainability in the supply chain,” said David Yeager, Hub Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our solutions not only drive long-term success for our customers, but also long-term success for the environment.”

Winners of Supply & Demand ChainExecutive’s (SDCE) Green Supply Chain Award can be found online, at www.SDCExec.com and in the December 2020 print issue. Additionally, companies on this year’s 2020 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list will be profiled in the November/December 2020 issue of Food Logistics, as well as online at www.foodlogistics.com.

ABOUT SUPPLY & DEMAND CHAIN EXECUTIVE: Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive’s user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints, and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage. Visit us on the web at www.SDCExec.com.

ABOUT FOOD LOGISTICS: Food Logistics is published by AC Business Media, a business-to-business media company that provides targeted content and comprehensive, integrated advertising and promotion opportunities for some of the world’s most recognized B2B brands. Its diverse portfolio serves the construction, logistics, supply chain and other industries with print, digital and custom products, events and social media.

ABOUT HUB GROUP: Hub Group offers comprehensive transportation and logistics management solutions. Keeping our customers’ needs in focus, Hub Group designs, continually optimizes and applies industry-leading technology to our customers’ supply chains for better service, greater efficiency and total visibility. As an award-winning, publicly traded company (NASDAQ: HUBG) with $3.7 billion in revenue, our 5,000 employees across the globe are always in pursuit of “The Way Ahead” – a commitment to service, integrity and innovation. For more information, visit https://www.hubgroup.com.

Majority of LPs Plan to Increase Allocations to Alternative Investments

ROWAYTON, Conn., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new survey from Eaton Partners, one of the largest capital placement agents and fund advisory firms, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), finds a majority of institutional investors plan to increase their private market allocations next year, and expect those investments to either meet or exceed performance benchmarks.

The latest “Eaton Partners LP Pulse Survey” questioned leading limited partners (LPs) from around the world, over the past two weeks, about their views on alternative investments heading into 2021. Key findings include:

• 57% of those surveyed say they will modestly or significantly increase their private market allocations, with 43% planning to make no changes at this time. Importantly, no respondents anticipate cutting allocations.
• Investors are expecting solid performance from their private market investments. Three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed believe performance will meet or exceed their benchmarks, although 21% concede there are too many unknown variables to forecast potential returns.
• Private equity (62%) is seen as the most attractive alternative asset class heading into 2021, followed by real assets (23%) and private credit (15%).
• More than one-third of those surveyed (34%) believe the COVID-19 trajectory will have the most significant impact on their investing strategies in 2021, ahead of economic conditions (33%), market valuations (21%), or potential policy changes under the new Biden administration (10%).

“We anticipate a strong start to 2021 in fundraising as a result of pent-up demand by institutional investors,” said Jeff Eaton, Partner at Eaton Partners. “The fundraising environment is going to be very competitive, where strong track record performance will be paramount. Our survey found that 72% of institutional investors consider the prior success of a manager the single most important factor when evaluating a new investment.”

“LPs will also be looking to capitalize on recent market dislocation, with survey respondents most interested in buyout (48%) and venture (40%) strategies,” added Peter Martenson, Partner at Eaton Partners. “We also expect investors will seek unique and differentiated fresh ideas as the year unfolds, undoubtedly creating opportunities for emerging mangers to capture market share. In fact, our survey found that an overwhelming majority (71%) of respondents say their interest in emerging and first-time fund managers is about the same, or even greater, than in 2020.”

While fund closings were down sharply in 2020, the survey finds more than half of respondents (52%) anticipate a push for closings in the first half of 2021. One-fifth (20%) think closings will be concentrated in the back half of the new year, and 28% say it’s too hard to predict given the economic and pandemic uncertainty.

Finally, while investors have gotten comfortable making investments without physically meeting managers, 70% of survey respondents say virtual meetings are just a backstop until COVID-19 is behind us and travel opens up again. Only 20% consider virtual meetings a fine substitute for face-to-face interactions. As such, a gradual uptick is expected of high-value in-person meetings complemented by the continued use of virtual interactions as 2021 progresses.

Click here to view the full survey results.

The online survey of 61 top institutional investors was conducted from November 30, 2020, through December 10, 2020.

About Eaton Partners

Eaton Partners, a Stifel Company, is one of the world’s largest capital placement agents and fund advisory firms, having raised more than $100 billion across more than 140 highly differentiated alternative investment funds and offerings. Founded in 1983, Eaton advises and raises institutional capital for investment managers across alternative strategies – private equity, private credit, real assets, real estate, and hedge funds/public market – in both the primary and secondary markets. Eaton Partners maintains offices and operates throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Eaton Partners is a division of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Member SIPC and NYSE. Eaton Partners subsidiary Eaton Partners (U.K.) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Eaton Partners subsidiary Eaton Partners Advisors (HK) Limited is approved as a Type 1-licensed company under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. Eaton Partners and the Eaton Partners logo are trademarks of Eaton Partners, LLC, a limited liability company. ^® Eaton Partners, 2020

Stifel
Company
Information

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC and Century Securities Associates, Inc. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

Media Contacts

Neil Shapiro, (212) 271-3447
[email protected]

Jeff Preis, (212) 271-3749
[email protected]

State College, PA, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mission Critical Partners announced today the launch of three new solutions to help public safety and justice agencies integrate data into their daily operations: DataLink, DataSphere and DataScape. Each solution leverages open standards-based software that MCP subject matter experts adapt and configure based on the individual needs of each client.

Public safety, justice and other mission-critical entities have a great need to integrate and analyze data, a need that largely is unmet today. Public safety and justice agencies need to capture data effectively and efficiently. Data then needs to flow seamlessly between agencies, departments and their field personnel, and between disparate networks and systems. The data needs to be actionable so that it can inform the decision-making process and be made available to any authorized user whenever they need it.

MCP’s new solutions are as follows:

DataLink^TM Interface Solution—This solution enables secure, bidirectional data flow between two specific endpoints, such as applications or databases, on a one-to-one basis. Examples include data exchange between a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and a records management system (RMS) and between an RMS and a state- or federal-level computerized criminal history data repository, such as the National Incident-Based Reporting System or the National Crime Information Center, both maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

DataSphere^TM Integration Solution—This solution enables data exchange on a many-to-many basis—think of it as a compilation of many DataLink connections. The idea behind DataSphere is similar to that of DataLink, but its scope is larger by orders of magnitude—it is architected to enable all authorized entities within an ecosystem, as well as multiple ecosystems, to seamlessly exchange data and to manage it effectively.

DataScape^TM Analytics Solution—This platform leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) technology to make sense of a tremendous amount of unstructured data. DataScape enables data gathering from a great many sources, without any need to convert the information into a specific platform. Once the data is gathered, the platform’s AI and ML capabilities are leveraged to “slice and dice” the data, i.e., it is analyzed and contextualized. Patterns then emerge that no one would have imagined before. These patterns greatly enhance the ability to investigate crime and, even better, predict it.

DataScape can be described generically as a “data lake.” But DataScape differs significantly from generic data lakes due to MCP’s intimate knowledge of the public safety and justice landscape, which significantly factors into how the solution is customized for each client.

“Data has been described as the oil of the 21^st century, but raw data, like oil, has no utility unless it can be harnessed and refined effectively,” said Kevin Murray, MCP’s founder, chairman and chief executive officer. “In the public safety and justice community, this means the ability to exchange data seamlessly, and to analyze and contextualize it so that it is actionable. MCP’s new DataLink, DataSphere and DataScape solutions are architected to accomplish these goals, and ultimately, have the power to improve outcomes for our clients.”

About Mission Critical Partners (MCP)
Mission Critical Partners is a leading provider of data integration, consulting and network and cybersecurity solutions specializing in transforming mission-critical communications networks into integrated ecosystems that improve outcomes in the public safety, justice, healthcare, transportation and utility markets. Our comprehensive experience and vendor-agnostic approach helps us develop modernized solutions for our clients that achieve maximum value and optimal efficiency while mitigating risk. Additional information and career opportunities are available at www.MissionCriticalPartners.com.

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Houston, TX, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The world’s largest barbecue franchise Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is continuing to develop new locations in their home state as they announce their latest move to develop an expansive location in the Houston, TX suburb of Clear Lake.

Retired firefighter Josef Gregory inked the deal with Dickey’s earlier this year to bring the brand’s authentic, Texas-style barbecue to the Clear Lake community.

Dickey’s is on track to open in the waterfront residence also referred to as the Bay Area and most notoriously known as the destination for the NASA Space Center in early 2021.

The native-born Texan and Dickey’s franchise Owner/Operator is local to the Clear Lake area and is venturing into his first official barbecue restaurant with his wife and three sons.

“My family and I have always had a passion for slow-smoked barbecue and when the restaurant across the street from the NASA facility shutdown we decided it was our opportunity to open our own barbecue franchise,” said Gregory.

In addition to the full line-up of Dickey’s classics such as competition-style brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs and slow-smoked chicken wings, the former first responder is planning to incorporate a full-service bar into his expansive Clear Lake location. To accommodate outdoor dining during the area’s seasonally-long warmer months, the Dickey’s Clear Lake location will also feature a large patio area for guests to enjoy.  

“As a brand rooted in Texas barbecue history, we’re proud to have Josef join our family and carry on the Dickey’s legacy in his Houston-area community,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “Josef’s leadership skills as a former first responder will serve him well in this new endeavor and we look forward to his future success.”

To learn more about Josef’s journey with the Dickey’s brand watch this short testimonial video.

Learn more about franchising with Dickey’s Barbecue Pit by visiting franchise.dickeys.com or call (866) 340-6188. To find your nearest Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location, visit dickeys.com/locations.

To learn more, follow Dickey’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. For the past 79 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ At Dickey’s, all our barbecued meats are smoked on-site in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickey’s proudly believes there’s no shortcut to true barbecue and it’s why they never say bbq. The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and wholesome sides with ‘No B.S. (Bad Stuff)’ included. The fast-casual concept has expanded worldwide with two international locations in the UAE and operates over 500 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickey’s won first place on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list and was named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur in 2018. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, QSR Magazine, Forbes Magazine and Nation’s Restaurant News. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.

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• Josef Gregory Head Shot

Deerfield Beach, Fla., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Home Franchise Concepts, a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, has entered into an agreement to acquire Kitchen Tune-Up, an impressive and growing franchise company specializing in affordable kitchen updates through its network of 135 individual franchisees in 202 territories across the U.S.

JM Family and Home Franchise Concepts are focused on empowering the experienced team at Kitchen Tune-Up to continue to grow and provide value to its franchise network. This sale will provide Kitchen Tune-Up with additional resources such as expanded operational, technology and marketing support to continue to grow its reach while surpassing customer expectations.

Kitchen Tune-Up becomes the fifth brand in the Home Franchise Concepts portfolio, joining Budget Blinds, Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage, Concrete Craft and AdvantaClean.

“In adding Kitchen Tune-Up to our portfolio, we are strategically leveraging the strong culture and core competencies we’ve developed in our 50-year history working directly with the franchise model,” said Brent Burns, president and CEO, JM Family. “We feel there is great synergy between our companies and look forward to utilizing our combined talents to ensure continued success and growth for the franchisees.”

Founded in 1988 by David and Cindy Haglund in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Kitchen Tune-Up is a family-operated business with Haglund currently in the role of chairman and his daughter Heidi Morrissey as president since 2017. Morrissey, who was named one of Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s “Woman of Wonder” in 2019 and 2020, will retain her role as president following the acquisition.

Morrisey said they pride themselves on listening and understanding the needs of franchisees and ensuring that “fun is part of every remodel. Homeowners generally don’t think remodeling a kitchen is fun, so our franchisees do what they can to make the experience enjoyable for customers and one they will want to tell their friends about.”

About Kitchen Tune-Up

Founded in 1988, Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in five ways to update kitchens and cabinetry. Services include its signature 1 Day Tune-Up, cabinet painting, cabinet refacing, cabinet redooring, and new cabinets. With 202 franchised territories nationwide, Kitchen Tune-Up was named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list in 2020. Kitchen Tune-Up offers personalized service and incredible results that are structured around customer service Trustpoints to ensure a hassle-free experience from start to finish. For more information about Kitchen Tune-Up, visit www.kitchentuneup.com. To inquire about franchise opportunities, visit www.ktufranchise.com.

About Home Franchise Concepts

Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) is one of the world’s largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space and among the world’s largest franchise businesses. HFC’s five brands, including Budget Blinds®, Tailored Living® featuring PremierGarage®, Concrete Craft®, AdvantaClean® and Kitchen Tune-Up, are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by more than 1,700 franchise territories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

JM Family Enterprises, Inc., founded by Jim Moran in 1968, is a $17.7 billion diversified automotive company ranked No. 20 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. It is also ranked No. 26 by FORTUNE® as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For®, its 22nd consecutive year on the list. JM Family has more than 4,300 associates and its primary subsidiaries include: Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyota vehicles; JM&A Group, one of the leading independent providers of finance and insurance (F&I) products in the automotive industry; Southeast Toyota Finance and DataScan, both part of World Omni Financial Corp., a diversified financial services company; JM Lexus, one of South Florida’s leading Lexus dealers; and Home Franchise Concepts, a franchise network of home improvement products and services consisting of Budget Blinds, Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage, Concrete Craft and AdvantaClean. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla., JM Family has major U.S. operations in Jacksonville and Margate, Fla.; Commerce and Alpharetta, Ga.; Mobile, Ala.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Irvine, Calif. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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