Hospitality

Starbucks Corp. has opened its first company-operated store at Walt Disney World Resort, a nearly 4,000-sq.-ft. site at Downtown Disney West Side in Orlando, Florida.

Boston – The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a bill that would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage from its current hourly rate of $8 to $11 by 2017, which would make it the highest state minimum wage in the country.

The state Senate has already approved the bill, which is expected to be approved by Gov. Deval Patrick (D) after a procedural Senate vote. Under the legislation, the minimum wage would rise to $9 per hour on Jan. 1, 2015; to $10 on Jan. 1, 2016; and finally to $11 on Jan. 1, 2017.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us, Inc. announced that it has named Michael J. Short executive CFO, effective June 23.
 
Short, 53, a seasoned finance executive with broad retail and corporate development experience, was most recently executive VP and CFO of AutoNation for seven years.
 

New York – Soupman Inc., parent company of specialty restaurant chain The Original Soupman, is partnering with the Atlanta Franchise Group, a franchise development company brought on to grow The Original Soupman's franchise presence across the country.

New Albany, Ohio – Abercrombie & Fitch is reportedly rolling out charging stations for mobile phones and tablets in its stores. According to TheStreet, there are currently two Abercrombie & Fitch stores with mobile charging stations installed, and the retailer plans to roll out the stations at several more Abercrombie and Hollister stores by the end of the year.

Lancaster, Pa. -- Auntie Anne’s announced the addition of Okey M. Reese to the executive team. Reese, who has been with Auntie Anne’s since 2010, has been promoted to VP, real estate.
 
In this position, Reese will oversee the leasing, specialty retail, and franchise sales departments. His responsibilities will include the strategic oversight of identifying new growth opportunities throughout the United States, strengthening developer partnerships and assisting franchise partners in all aspects of the real estate process.

Chicago -- Englewood Construction announced its retail group has recently completed an interior build-out for Chicago Cruise Lines and begun work on two new projects, including an American Girl Store in Orlando, Florida.

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Pizza chains Pizza Hut and Papa John’s are tied for the highest customer satisfaction score among quick-service restaurants. According to the 2014 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Papa John’s (unchanged from 2013) and Pizza Hut (+3%) share the lead at 82, with Little Caesar (-2%) and Domino’s Pizza (-1%) not far behind at 80.