Hospitality

Deerfield, Ill. -- Cosi announced the appointment of Carin L. Stutz as the company's new CEO and president beginning Jan.1. She also will join the Cosi board of directors.

Stutz, 55, joins Cosi from Brinker International, where she was president of global business development, leading all aspects of franchise development and operations for 240 Chili's and Maggiano's restaurants around the globe.

 

Madison, Ala. -- GBT Realty Corp. announced that three new tenants have signed leases at its Shoppes at Madison property, a Target-anchored center slated to open in March 2012.

The newest tenants include a 22,000-sq.-ft. Ross Dress for Less store, Massage Envy, and a 4,000-sq.-ft. freestanding Panera Bread.

Together, these tenants join Target and 13 additional local, regional and national retailers, to bring the shopping center’s occupancy to 95%.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that True Religion has opened at Cherry Hill Mall, located in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 1,500-sq.-ft. fashion denim store is located by the Grand Court.

Bethesda, Md. -- Streetsense announced it is bringing a new Japanese sushi restaurant, Passion Fin, to The Shops at Sumner Place, in Bethesda, Md. The 2,959-sq.-ft. restaurant is scheduled to open in early 2012.

The Shops at Sumner Place is a Safeway-anchored retail center adjacent to the 28-acre Sumner Village condominium community. Other stores within the center include CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks, Bethesda Market, Praline French Bakery and Restaurant, Chico’s, a fitness center, and a variety of other stores and services.

Houston -- ATM owner Cardtronics said Thursday it has forged a long-term agreement in Puerto Rico with National Lumber & Hardware to install ATMs at 38 locations for the home improvement and interior design retailer.

National Lumber & Hardware is a division of Pitusa, the island’s largest Puerto Rico-based retailer.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that Eddie Matney, Reinaldo Alfonso and Michael Vlasich have joined the company's Simply Delicious Chef Brigade, a team of all-star restaurant chefs who creatively use one ingredient in multiple dishes as inspiration for everyday cooking.

New York City --  Mintel, a leading global supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence, has identified five trends that will shape how restaurant operators appeal to their customers in 2012.

Seattle -- Starbucks has racked up 26 million mobile transactions since it launched its mobile payment program in January. Currently, the top five U.S cities for Starbucks mobile app adoption are New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and San Jose.

In the first nine weeks of the program, there were 3 million transactions and in comparison for the nine week period starting in October, there were 6 million transactions, demonstrating a significant jump in customer adoption and use, the company reported.