Fast Casual Restaurant

Austin, Texas — CBRE has announced three more Austin-area locations for local fast casual restaurant VERTS, bringing its store count to 10. In 2014, VERTS plans to open 13 new locations, including expansions into Dallas and Houston.

The newest locations are in North Austin. Locations in Round Rock and Cedar Park will open in the next two months.

Oakville, Canada – Tim Hortons is unveiling a strategic four-year growth plan for 2014-2018 called “Winning in the New Era.” The plan, which has specific segments for the Canada, U.S., and international markets, includes the opening of 300 new U.S. locations by 2018.

Coralville, Iowa — Pancheros Mexican Grill has announced plans to open 16 new locations in 2014. The fast casual Mexican restaurant rounded out 2014 with eight new location openings and 10 lease signings set for development this year.

Pancheros aims to sustain the expansion across the country with 70 additional restaurant launches over the next five years.

New York — Wasabi, a London-based sushi and bento chain, has opened a two-floor 3,400-sq.-ft. store at 561 Seventh Avenue in New York City. Ripco Realty represented the landlord, Handler Real Estate Organization in the transaction. CWM represented the tenant.

The flagship space is Wasabi’s first branch in the United States. With 36 locations in the United Kingdom, the chain plans to expand throughout Manhattan over the next 18 months.

Tampa, Fla. — BurgerMonger has taken a 2,700-sq.-ft. lease at Northwood Commons shopping center in Clearwater, Fla. This will be the restaurants fifth location, according to Florida Retail Partners www.floridaretailpartners, an X Team partner and co-broker representing BurgerMonger on the transaction. National Real Estate Ventures was the other co-broker.

When the new BurgerMonger opens in April, the fast casual restaurant will have four locations in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area and one in Willow Grove, Pa.

Dublin, Ohio -- The Wendy’s Company announced the sale of 70 restaurants in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex to Texas-based MUY Hamburger Partners, a Wendy's  franchisee. The transaction is designed to promote new restaurant growth and reimaging, while generating a more predictable revenue stream for the company.

North Canton, Ohio — Construction of a new Panera Bread will get underway this spring in the Hoover District of North Canton, Ohio. The first retail establishment in the Hoover District, the restaurant plans to open this fall.

Being developed by Industrial Realty Group, the Hoover District is a mixed-use redevelopment envisioned as a live-work-play environment.

Miami — Burger King Worldwide Inc. reported impressive net income growth during the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2013. Consolidated net income rose 37% year-over-year to $66.8 million from $48.6 million in the quarter, and almost doubled from $117.7 million to $223.7 million for the year.

Nashville, Tenn. — GBT Realty has announced that Firehouse Subs, Aspen Dental, Bama Fever Tiger Pride, Smashburger and Edible Arrangements will be coming to Cobbs Ford Village, a new in-line shopping center in Prattville, Ala.

Starbuck’s and Gigi’s Cupcakes have already opened at the shopping center, and Chipotle will open in mid February. Two 1,600-sq.-ft. places remain available.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, reported an impressive set of year-over-year financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013. During the quarter, net income grew 23% to $42.1 million from $34.2 million, and revenue increased 13% from $161.7 million to $183.2 million.

U.S. same-store sales for the quarter increased 3.5% at Dunkin’ Donuts and 2.2% at Baskin Robbins.