Hospitality

Melville, N.Y. — Mike Matlat has joined A&G Realty Partners as senior managing director in the Melville, N.Y., office. Matlat comes to A&G from DJM Realty, bringing 20 years of real estate expertise in managing special non-retail projects.

In his new role, Matlat will expand A&G’s real estate advisory services into the hospitality, industrial and residential sectors. He has achieved more than $500 million in sales of warehouse, industrial, hospitality and residential space.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Kay Jewelers has opened a 1,400-sq.-ft. store at Plymouth Meeting Mall on the second level, just inside the mall nearest the restaurant plaza entrance.

Owned, managed and leased by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust www.preit.com, the mall is anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café.

Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food Restaurant will also open at Plymouth Meeting Mall during the 2013 holiday season.

Alpharetta, Ga. -- McAlister's Deli announced plans to develop 17 restaurants in Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia as part of new multi-unit development agreements with two existing franchise groups.

"We are pleased that our existing franchisees are continuing to expand with McAlister's Deli," said McAlister's Deli president and CEO Frank Paci. "Their commitment to develop demonstrates their confidence in the brand's strength and its ability to provide franchisees with an attractive investment."

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Brands plans to open 17 new franchise Dunkin’ Donuts stores in west and central Texas in the next several years.

Greenwood Village, Colo. — Maui Wowi Hawaiian plans to open a shop in Northwoods Mall in Peoria, Ill. Slated to open in early October, the new Maui Wowi franchise shop will continue the brand’s expansion in Illinois.

Maui Wowi currently has more than 450 operating units in seven countries.

Have you heard of Silicon Beach? No, it isn’t an offshoot of Silicon Valley. It is a phenomenon emerging in West Los Angeles, home of The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center, a mixed-use development with office, residential, hotel, retail, restaurant and entertainment offerings.

Silicon Beach has taken its name from Silicon Valley — both are notable for the number of creative business start-ups.

Boston — A group of private equity companies, including Advent International and CDIB Capital, have joined together to acquire a significant equity position in International Coffee & Tea, which owns and operates stores under The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf banner, with an eye on expanding in Asia. Other investors participating in the transaction include Mirae Asset Private Equity and the Sassoon family (the latter is the largest existing shareholder of The Coffee Bean, and is remaining as a substantial shareholder).

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that it has signed agreements with two franchise groups to begin developing Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United Kingdom. The two agreements call for the development of 50 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Greater London over the next five years, with an initial focus on North London and East London.