Minding Your Business: November

Department store giant David Jones is hoping to win over the 'young families' demographic nationwide after it recently revealed its world-first collaboration with Disney, which has seen the company's flagship Elizabeth Street store in Sydney's CBD completely transformed.

The magical transformation was unveiled earlier this month, revealing the top floor's conversion into a series of different "worlds" for kids and parents, including a 100-acre Winnie the Pooh-themed woodland complete with a giant honey tree and nursery design service for new parents.

It also boasts a Star Wars-inspired Millennium Falcon cockpit, a Marvel-themed New York cityscape, a Disney Princess carousel and a ''high street'' of fashion and toys.

Earlier this year David Jones said the new level was designed to capture the young families demographic who were already flocking to the store's elaborate window displays every Christmas.

The floor revamp follows David Jones' 180th birthday celebrations earlier this year, and the announcement of the Elizabeth Street store's $200 million complete refurbishment, which will be completed by early 2020.

It has also recently announced new luxury designer partnerships with Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci.

Max Brenner Stores Rescued at the Death

The Max Brenner cafe chain has been purchased by Italian-born opera singer Roy Mustaca after being put into the hands of receivers in recent months.

As reported on the anybusiness.com.au blog in October, a sale looked unlikely for the struggling chain after a deal with investors David and Craig Tozer fell through at the last minute.

Mr Mustaca is the owner of United Cinemas. He acquired the Collaroy Cinema on Sydney's northern beaches more than 30 years ago and went on to set up a chain of independent cinemas across Australia under the United Cinemas banner.

The administrators shut 20 stores and put the remaining 17 up for sale last month.

New Chairman to Change Retail Food Group Fortunes

The new executive chairman brought in to change Retail Food Group's fortunes says 2019 will be "another demanding year", with asset sales and job cuts looking likely for the franchise operator.

For Peter George, who has worked on the turnaround of companies including Optus and Asciano, RFG's woes can be traced back to a rapid acquisition-driven growth spurt from 2012 to 2016 which led to an "unprecedented" level of management complexity.

Mr George said, at its peak, the company managed more than ten different franchise systems, each with differing challenges around product offering, market positioning, store location and competitive conditions.

He also pointed to the loss during that period of key personnel who had contributed to RFG's success.

The company, is well-known for its Donut King, Brumby's Bakery and Pizza Capers franchises and Mr George said the planned turnaround had already begun.