Fast Casual Restaurant

Tampa, Fla. — Burger 21 has signed its first franchise agreement in Arizona. The deal will bring the first Burger 21 restaurant in the western U.S. to Chandler, Ariz., expanding the brand’s footprint to nine states.

The franchisee plans to open in Chandler next year and then to pursue a second unit in Phoenix. To date, Burger 21 has nine open locations and 17 franchised restaurants in development across the country.

Oak Brook, Ill. – Despite declines in European and Asia-Pacific/Middle East/Africa (APMEA) same-store sales, positive domestic same-store sales performance in July resulted in a small global increase for McDonald’s Corporation. The fast-food giant reported 1.6% domestic same-store sales growth compared to July 2012 as well as 1.9% declines in both Europe and APMEA same-store sales, averaging out to a 0.7% global increase.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts said it will open eight new restaurants in Rochester, N.Y., via a multi-unit store development agreement executed with existing franchisee Luis Ribeiro.

Ribeiro currently owns 25 of the 61 Dunkin' Donuts in the Greater Rochester area.  

"We expect 10 to 20 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants to open in Rochester over the next few years," said Grant Benson, VP franchising and business development, Dunkin' Brands.

San Diego – Jack in the Box is launching a new summer promotional campaign utilizing the mobile video platform Vine. Developed by digital agency Struck, the campaign consists of 101 videos showing Jack in the Box customers how to "Go Big," a promotional theme the retailer is using in its menu.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Smashburger plans to open a 2,700-sq.-ft. eatery at Plymouth Meeting Mall this fall. As of now, Smashburger has 187 corporate and franchised restaurants across the country.

Anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café, the mall features more than 100 specialty retailers and a long list of destination restaurants like Benihana, Bertucci’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle Mexican Grill and others.

New York -- Fast casual Burger 21 has opened franchised stores in the Atlanta suburb of Buford, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C.

The company plans to open 15 to 20 more franchised units in Atlanta plus another 10 franchised restaurants in Charlotte over the next few years.

Lorton, Va. – In order to quickly detect customer service problems and quantify customer requests, Five Guys Burgers and Fries has implemented social intelligence technology from newBrandAnalytics (nBA). Using nBA solutions, Five Guys monitors social media chatter to help the company implement operational changes and improve engagement with customers. Five Guys also leverages the technology to gauge interest in potential new menu items.

Alameda, Calif. — Later this summer, Five Guys Burgers and Fries will open a 1,781-sq.-ft. restaurant in Alameda South Shore Center, in Alameda, Calif., said Jamestown, a fund manager offering core and opportunistic property funds.

Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark Knight Frank represented Jamestown in the transaction. SRSRE represented Five Guys.

Irvine, Calif. – Taco Bell plans to discontinue all kids’ meals and toys at its U.S. restaurants. The fast-food chain will start removing the items from its menu at stores this month at anticipates to have eliminated all kids’ meals and toys in the U.S. by January of next year. Menu items from kids’ meals will remain available for individual purchase.

Greg Creed, CEO of Taco Bell, said kids’ meals are not part of the company’s long-range strategy and have an insignificant impact on overall sales.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s Corporation reported modest global gains in net income, revenues and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Both its profit and revenue trailed analysts’ estimates.