Applebee's

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In an effort to reward loyal shoppers, CVS/pharmacy has created a new promotion that allows members of its ExtraCare Rewards program to earn multiple free gift cards by shopping for essentials at more than 7,200 locations nationwide.

Newton, Pa. -- Restaurant operator, The Rose Group, a 59-unit Applebee's and four-unit Corner Bakery Café franchisee, said Tuesday it has selected JobApp Network as its automated hiring solution to improve restaurant hiring, manage compliance and maximize employee tax credits.

Including the Rose Group, nearly 150 Applebee's units are currently utilizing the complete end-to-end hiring solution provided by JobApp, based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Flushing, N.Y. -- Five Guys Burgers and Fries said Monday is has opened a new location at Sky View Center, located in Flushing, N.Y.

The upscale fast-food chain has opened a 2,000-sq.-ft. location on level B of the 800,000-sq.-ft. regional mall, and is one of 200 new franchises opening in 2011 for the chain.

Charleston, S.C. -- PeopleMatter, a talent management solution provider for the service industry, said that Apple Sauce, LLC, a major franchisee in the Applebee’s system, has selected the the PeopleMatter Platform for talent management to find, develop and manage talent. The solution will be used for more than 78 Applebee’s locations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

Somerdale, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said Tuesday that Applebee’s will open a new restaurant at the 385,000-sq.-ft. CooperTowne Center in Somerdale, N.J.

Applebee’s will occupy 7,029 sq. ft. of this redevelopment project and will join anchor tenants Walmart Supercenter, Cinemark Theatres and LA Fitness.

Flushing, N.Y. -- Onex Real Estate Partners said that Payless ShoeSource has opened a new store at Sky View Center, the 800,000-sq.-ft shopping center located below Sky View Parc, Queens’ new mixed-used residential development.

The new 4,200-sq.-ft. Payless location, on level D of the Center, officially opens on April 9.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Applebee’s Services said Wednesday it has chosen customer analytics firm Buxton to assist with the franchise system’s real estate expansion and company asset-management strategies for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill &Bar restaurants.

Applebee’s, a DineEquity brand, will use Buxton’s Scout platform, to establish future expansion in potential franchise markets and assist in asset management decisions.