Foodservice Management

Atlanta - Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. (ARG), franchisor of Arby’s, has signed development agreements with new and existing franchisees. ARG recently sold 14 company-operated restaurants in Tampa, Fla., to Mosaic Investments Inc., a fully integrated investment firm based in Atlanta. In addition to remodeling existing locations slated to commence at the end of 2014, Mosaic has committed to build 13 new Arby's restaurants in the Tampa area during the next nine years.

Tampa, Fla. - The Melting Pot Restaurants  plans to expand its footprint in select markets throughout the U.S., and Canada. Domestically, the company is looking to recruit new franchisees in cities such as Anchorage, Alaska; Little Rock, Ark.; Fresno, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Des Moines, Iowa; New York City; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Charleston, S.C.; and Portland, Maine, as well as Houston and El Paso, Texas.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café has signed a new multi-unit development agreement with Holm Bake, LLC, headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., which plans to open its first of 17 restaurants in the Orlando, Fla., area next year and the remaining sites over the following six years.

Montmartre, France — Le Coq Rico, a popular Montmartre, France, restaurant has signed into its first location in the United States on 20th Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The space includes 3,000 sq. ft. on the ground floor and 1,800 sq. ft. on the lower level.

Winick realty Group represented landlord Walter Samuels in the long-term lease transaction. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented the restaurant.

Tampa, Fla. — Burger 21 has announced plans to expand in the Phoenix, market with franchise developments. The fast-casual restaurant is currently developing two Arizona locations in Scottsdale and Chandler. Both will open later this year. To date, Burger 21 has 12 open locations and 18 franchised restaurants in development across the country.

One of the most fascinating developments over the last several years in our industry has been the explosion of new and different types of dining concepts. And it’s not only the restaurants chains evolving and emerging, but also about the way that dining preferences are changing.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets has opened its second restaurant in Galerias Merida, Mexico. The 1,798-sq.-ft. location is situated in an upscale two-story shopping mall.

Galerias Merida is the fourth Johnny Rockets location for Johnny Rockets Guadalajara Group, who also operate three franchises in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Two additional Johnny Rockets locations are scheduled to open in Mexico later this year, one in Chihuahua and another in Mexico City.  

Houston — Fuddruckers has opened its first restaurant in Europe — in Varese, Italy near Milan. The fast casual restaurant is the first of 10 planned by a new franchise partner, Vinum et Alia. Future sites being considered are in Italy, Poland and Switzerland.

The design of the 5,000-sq.-ft., 120-seat restaurant references Fuddruckers’ classic roadhouse origins.

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants will open three new Dickey’s Barbecue Pits this week. On April 2, the chain will open a restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo., and on April 3, two more restaurants will open, one in Gulfport, Miss., and another in Stockton, Calif.

Grand Rapids, Mich. — HopCat has purchased a former restaurant building on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit and plans to open its third Michigan location in August. Mid-America Real Estate – Michigan represented the seller, Midtown Detroit Inc., in the transaction. Mid-America in cooperation with M Retail Solutions represented HopCat. A mass transit stop is planned directly in front of the building.

With 130 taps, the Midtown location will be the largest craft beer bar in the state. The bar will also offer wine, liquor and a full menu.