Hospitality

Long Beach, Calif.  -- Epson America announced that Friendly's Express, a new fast-casual concept from Friendly Ice Cream Corp., is using Epson's TM-T88 ReStick thermal printer with MAXStick liner-free, biodegradable and recyclable labels to identify orders in all five of its locations. By installing an intelligent label interface into the Epson ReStick printer, Friendly's Express was able to configure its point-of-sale (POS) systems to print individual item labels for only its carryout orders.

Somerdale, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that GameStop, Great Clips and Go Wireless have opened at the newly renovated CooperTowne Center.

Reopened in October 2010, CooperTowne Center is a 385,000-sq.-ft. Greyfields Redevelopment that revitalized the former Lions Head Plaza in Somerdale, N.J. The shopping center is anchored by Walmart Supercenter, a Cinemark 16-screen theater, and a LA Fitness.

LOS ANGELES — Looking to offer a greener option for users of Styrofoam and noncompostable insulated cups, Repurpose Compostables has launched a new insulated hot cup that is 100% compostable.

One Cup requires no sleeve, uses 65% less carbon dioxide than a traditional cup and can be composted in 90 days, the company said. The insulated cups also feature Ingeo-based lining, which eliminates the need for "double cupping," to assure the beverage, and not the drinker's hands, stay hot.

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. said Thursday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Coffee Ltd., an Indian coffee bean provider, which will allow Starbucks to source and roast coffee beans at Tata's Coorg, India facility.

In addition, the deal will allow the companies to "explore the development of Starbucks retail stores in associated retail outlets and hotels," Starbucks said in a statement.

West Pottsgrove, Pa. -- Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate, L.P. said that  Carmike Cinemas has signed a lease for an approximately 46,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art multi-screen movie theater to be located in the  Upland Square Shopping Center, in West Pottsgrove, Pa.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that its Town Center at Boca Raton shopping mall is celebrating the grand opening of two national retail debuts, a Florida first in dining and several other upscale additions.

Recently, Swiss watch manufacturer Ulysse Nardin opened its first freestanding U.S. boutique at Town Center at Boca Raton. Prior to the holidays, gold vending machine, the GOLD to go ATM, opened.

New York City -- Microsoft Corp. announced that Bill Gonzalez, general manager of its worldwide distribution and services sector, has been elected to the associate member advisory council for the board of directors of the National Retail Federation. The announcement was made at the NRF Annual Convention & EXPO in New York.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop announced it will add another 20 stores in Mexico over the next three years thanks to an extended development agreement with current international franchisee WIS de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Wingstop has more than 475 restaurants open across the United States and Mexico.

“We are thrilled with our success in Mexico over this past year,” said David Vernon, VP franchise sales for Wingstop.