Hospitality

New York City -- Darden Restaurants plans to roughly double the size of LongHorn Steakhouse during the next 10 years. 

Speaking at Barclay’s Retail & Restaurants Conference in New York City, Darden president and COO Drew Madsen said LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden and Seasons 52 would help drive the company’s growth going forward. Darden want to expand LongHorn Steakhouse, which currently has some 345 locations, to 600 to 800 units over the next decade.

Frisco, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Tutti Frutti Yogurt, which will open a 1,412-sq.-ft. store at Legacy Center, in Frisco, Texas.

The specialty frozen yogurt retailer is slated to open its new store in July.
The 119,500-sq.-ft. shopping center includes national retailers such as Starbucks, Subway, Great Clips and The UPS Store.

Gadsden, Ala. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said Wednesday that Maurices will move to a new, larger location at Gadsden Mall, in Gadsden, Ala., in May.

The 5,000-sq. ft. expanded store will be positioned near Belk.

The expansion of Maurice’s follows on the heels of the recent opening of KOBE Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar.

Cleveland -- Forest City Enterprises said Wednesday it has promoted Duane F. Bishop Jr., to the position of executive VP and COO of the company’s Commercial Group.

Bishop was previously executive VP – Asset Management. 

Forest City’s Commercial Group, the largest of three major strategic business units, includes the company’s retail, office and hotel properties.

Rumors that Target would open in San Francisco’s Metreon center have now been confirmed: Terranomics announced it has brokered a signed lease for Target to open in the Wesfield-owned center.

The lease for 99,677 sq. ft. was only just officially signed, San Francisco Business Times reported. The Metreon will soon begin construction on a multi-million dollar remodel that will make room for Target, and will recreate the ground level as a food collection of Bay Area restaurant concepts.

Roseland, N.J. -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area and its franchisees said Tuesday they are looking to hire new crew and restaurant management positions in more than 600 restaurant locations throughout the area on April 19.

The one-day event is part of a nationwide initiative for McDonald's and its franchisees with a target to hire up to 50,000 new employees at restaurants across the country.  

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Stardust Arcade, an adult penny redemption arcade, has opened at Boynton Beach Mall, in Boynton Beach, Fla.

The 10,000-sq.-ft. space features 150 machines within a Las Vegas-style setting showcasing faux Roman columns, marble details and hand-painted Greek themed murals created by Florida Atlantic University’s Arts Professor Jim Crane and his fine art students.

Highland Village, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Highland Village, Texas, at The Shops at Highland Village to The Lash Lounge.

The Lash Lounge has leased 2,000 sq. ft. and is slated to open this summer.

The 352,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use lifestyle center is anchored by AMC 12 Theaters and Barnes & Noble Booksellers alongside national retailers such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works and Potbelly Sandwich Works.