Hospitality

By Kevin Hughes, JLL

1. Keep Your Options — And Doors — Open: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. In effect since 1991, it has undergone updates, affecting most commercial real estate in some fashion. In fact, all commercial spaces used by the public – as well as many employee-use areas – are required by law to comply with ADA regulations.

Canton, Mass. - In honor of the birth of the royal baby, Dunkin' Donuts is running a special Twitter sweepstakes for the chance to win a trip for two to London. From May 4-5, Dunkin' Donuts is asking its Twitter followers to share who in their life deserves to be treated like royalty.

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corp., which recently reported a 33% year-over-year decline in profits for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, is revealing the first steps of its turnaround plan. Beginning July 1, 2015, McDonald's will operate under a new organizational structure with the following market segments:

• U.S.: The company's largest segment, accounting for more than 40% of the Company's 2014 operating income;

Chicago - Potbelly Corp. has promoted Julie Younglove-Webb as its new senior VP of operations. Younglove-Webb will oversee all aspects of company operations.

Younglove-Webb joined the Potbelly 2008, as a general manager and then a district manager before assuming various operations roles and being promoted to her latest role as Central Zone VP, overseeing 250 shops. She replaces John Morlock, who will now serve as senior VP of ops growth.

New York - RDG Capital Fund Management, a shareholder of TravelCenters of America, has engaged in what it calls “constructive dialogue” with TravelCenters CEO Tom O'Brien and other board members. RDG said the TravelCenters board has indicated a willingness to consider selling some company-owned real estate as a source of liquidity.

Liberty Center is Greater Cincinnati’s something-for-everyone development

There are mixed-use developments, town centers, and then there are PLACES, and Liberty Center is being designed to be just that when it brings 1.2 million sq. ft. of retail, restaurant, offices, residences, a hotel and three parks — including one inside the enclosed mall — to a young and affluent area of North Cincinnati.

Liberty Center, opening Oct.

Downtown LA’s South Park will emerge as a new retail district

It’s rare enough for any developer — or group of developers and brokers — to plan an entirely new retail district almost literally from the ground up. It’s utterly unique to do so in one of the largest cities in the world.

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening in Downtown Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood.

RETAIL NOTES: Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay, a glamorous bridal shop on the top floor of the Hudson’s Bay’s flagship and headquarters building in Toronto, took the big prize — Store of the Year — in the Association for Retail Environments 2015 Design Awards. The annual awards recognize the best in retail design, store fixtures and visual presentation. Designed in house by HBC Store Planning, the 14,000-sq.-ft.