Regions

Fort Smith Firm Opens Satellite

Fort Smith law firm Smith Maurras Cohen Redd & Horan opened a Bentonville satellite office in January.

First Federal Bank Lures with Giveaways

At least one bank still believes in handing out a ?freebie? when customers open a checking account.

Nonfarm Payroll Up 3.3 Percent

Nonfarm payroll in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area increased 3.3 percent from 190,800 in September 2004 to 197,100 in September 2005, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

UAFS Chancellor Finalists Announced

The committee searching for a new chancellor for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has narrowed the list of applicants from 86 to three.

Grand Crowne Taps SPMI as HR Outsource

Grand Crowne Resorts in Branson, Mo., hired Southern Personnel Management Inc. of Van Buren as its human resources outsourcing vendor, according to a press release. The agreement became effective Jan. 1.

Bicycling Biz Booms For Local Shops

With high gas prices and the onset of spring, residents of Fort Smith have been hitting the streets on two wheels. But the cycling trend has been rolling forward for a few years now.

Sonic Construction Begins as Mall Location Closes

The Sonic in the Northwest Arkansas Mall closed in early March, said Alice Church, the mall manager, adding that the restaurant?s lease had expired.

TGI Friday?s Opens First NWA Location

TGI Friday?s opened in Fayetteville on March 13, said Steve Bell, president of Tricorp Food Services Inc. in St. Louis, which has the franchise rights in Northwest Arkansas.

Hogtown Pizza Opens First Store in Bentonville

Hogtown Pizza opens in Bentonville, offering pizzas ranging from $7 to $21 and sandwiches ranging in price from $5 to $9, along with salads, pasta, breadsticks and chicken wings.

Barber Group Propels Projects in NWA

In two years, the Barber Group, a Northwest Arkansas real estate and development firm, has brought in more than $93 million in revenue and is on pace to ring in at least $100 million in 2006.

Help-U-Sell Saves on Brokerage Costs

In 2003, Jerry and Susan Kelley opened Arkansas? only Help-U-Sell Real Estate franchise. Through their office in Rogers, the Kelleys charge a set fee to sell a house.

Beverly Completes Merger; Some Executives to Retire

Beverly Enterprises Inc. of Fort Smith on March 14 completed its merger with Fillmore Capital Partners affiliate Pearl Senior Care for $12.50 per share.

Wal-Mart Buys Majority Interest in CARHCO

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville on March 15 said it has increased its interest in Central American Retail Holding Co., which controls 375 supermarkets and other stores throughout Central America.

USDA Confirms Third BSE Case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on March 13 that a 10-year-old Alabama cow had tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease.

Wal-Mart Prepares For China Expansion

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to hire 150,000 people in China over the next five years as it prepares for a major store expansion. Wal-Mart currently has about 30,000 employees in China.

Wal-Mart Names Compliance Chief

On March 17, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. named J.P. Suarez senior vice president and chief compliance officer for its U.S. operations.

Stephens Inc. Downgrades USA

Stephens Inc. of Little Rock on March 17 downgraded shares of USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren.

Simmons First Announces Promotions, Dividend

J. Thomas May, chairman and CEO of Simmons First, announced promotions of David Bartlett to president and chief operating officer, Marty Casteel to executive vice president, and Bob Fehlman to executive vice president and chief financial officer.

NWA Real Estate Agents Ring In Banner Sales

Overall, sales of the 42 firms on the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal?s list of Top Grossing Real Estate Agents total $3.7 billion in 2005, which is a 34.6 percent increase from sales of $2.7 billion in 2004.

Number of Agents Grows In Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas saw a large increase in the number of agents when compared to other parts of the state.

Oklahoma court ruling threatens poultry industry in Arkansas

GDP up 4.3% in the third quarter, consumer confidence declines

St. Bernards to expand Maternal Life360 HOME program into Greene County

Then and Now: Cooperative business model a good fit for Mitchell Johnson