Fast Casual Restaurant

Vancouver, Wash. -- The international arm of Take-and-bake pizza operator Papa Murphy’s announced Monday it has signed a master franchise agreement with MAM Foodco to open 100 locations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The first location, which marks the chain’s debut outside North America, is slated to open in Dubai, UAE, before the end of 2012.
 

BRUSSELS — Delhaize's U.S. division has a new leader.

The supermarket conglomerate announced that Roland Smith will serve as Delhaize America's president and CEO, as well as EVP of the Delhaize Group, effective Oct. 15. Smith is replacing Ronald Hodge, who will be retiring from his post this year. Hodge will serve in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.

New York -- The store opening plans of retailers hit a four-year high in July, according to the August edition of the National Retailer Demand Monthly report from RBC Capital Markets and Retail Lease Trac.

Retailers in the RBC database currently plan to open 78,325 stores over the next 24 months, which represents an 11% increase over openings projected at the end of 2011, and a 0.6% increase over June’s level.

New York -- McDonald’s Corp. is testing a mobile payments service with PayPal in 30 McDonald’s locations in France.

Using the service, McDonald's customers can order food on smartphones through a McDonald's application, or online, and then pay for their food with PayPal via either the McDonald’s mobile app or a web browser. There is a separate line in the test locations to pick up the meals, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers announced a software licensing agreement with Boston Market to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution to help identify and select all field employees in its 476 locations across the United States.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers announced a software licensing agreement with Boston Market to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution to help identify and select all field employees in its 476 locations across the United States.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that FreeBirds World Burrito has selected seven new locations slated to open in Central California later this year.
 
The seven sites in California are located in Sacramento, Tracy, Fresno, Clovis, Turlock, and two sites in Modesto, and all were acquired from Qdoba franchisee 4G Management. All locations will be converted to company owned and operated units and range from 2,000 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft.
 

Sharon, Pa. -- Casual-dining chain Quaker Steak & Lube said Monday it has opened its 50th restaurant in Lakewood, Ohio, and is on track to open 10 additional restaurants this year. The brand also will be expanding to six new markets with five franchise groups over the next several years.

"Over the past six months, we signed agreements to develop 11 new restaurants around the country, including three corporate locations in Texas," said John Longstreet, president and CEO.

Carmel, Ind. -- Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group said that Panera Bread will open a 4,019-sq.-ft. location at Rangeline Crossing, formerly named The Centre, in Carmel, Inc.

Old National Bank will open a 5,600-sq.-ft. outlotat the 83,533-sq.-ft. center, which is currently undergoing a redevelopment.

The landlord is KRG Centre.

Newark, Calif. -- NewPark Mall in Newark, Calif., announced the upcoming addition of two new food court eateries: Taqueria La Tita and Crepe Bar are slated to open in August. Taqueria La Tita will open in 613 sq. ft. and La Crepe will measure 666 sq. ft.

NewPark Mall is anchored by Macy's, Sears, J.C. Penney and Burlington Coat Factory.