Full Service

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli has signed three development agreements with new and existing franchisees to open restaurants in Southern Georgia and North, Central and Southwest Florida.

Existing franchisee DMAC 81 LLC, based in Summerville, South Carolina, plans to open several new restaurants between southern Georgia and northern Florida.

Las Vegas -- Simon Property Group, a global leader in retail real estate, announced that it has opened a 25-store expansion of Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.

The center is now one of the largest in the country with 175 stores. The expansion features designer and name brands, including Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, AG Adriano Goldschmied, AllSaints, Bally, Canali, Catimini, CH Carolina Herrera, Citizen, Helmut Lang, John Varvatos, Rag & Bone, Under Armour, and Vera Bradley.

Jackson, Miss. – As part of a larger plan to open 30 new corporate and franchised stores by the end of 2015 and 200 new stores by 2018, Newk's Eatery has entered a new development agreement with New Orleans-based Southeast Restaurant Group (SRG). The veteran operator of franchise and independent restaurants plans to open 15 Newk's locations throughout Southern Louisiana and in Houston.

Fort Worth, Texas – Trademark Property Co. is adding three new tenants to its Westbend shopping center in Fort Worth, Texas. Restaurant chain HG Sply Co. will open a 3,800-sq.-ft. location with a 5,000-sq.-ft. outdoor patio.

In addition, Pax & Parker will open a 1,364-sq.-ft. luxury location and Woodhouse Day Spa will open a 5,240-sq.-ft. full-service luxury day spa.

Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe is focusing franchising efforts in the Southeastern markets of Birmingham; Charleston; Charlotte; Columbus; Jackson; New Orleans; Raleigh; and Tampa. Corner Bakery Cafe is looking for best-in-class franchise operators who have relevant multi-unit restaurant/retail experience in the market to be developed.

In targeting the Southeast region, Corner Bakery Cafe, which has more than 390 locations in development commitments, plans to strengthen its presence.
 

St. Louis – Panera Bread Co. has named Drew Madsen president, effective May 11. He will report to Ron Shaich, chairman and CEO, and oversee the core café business, while Shaich focuses on strategy, growth initiatives and innovation across the company.

Madsen served as president and COO of Darden Restaurants Inc. He also previously served as president of Darden's Olive Garden chain and was Olive Garden's executive VP of marketing prior to that.

Houston – Fuddruckers is going from “Howdy” to “Ayuh.” The casual-dining chain is opening its first location in Maine on May 11 through a partnership with franchisee B&B Burgers Inc. The 3,000-sq.-ft. restaurant in Ellsworth, Maine anchors a new Tradewinds convenience store complex.

Dallas – Waiting in line is probably the least appetizing part of the dining out experience. That is why Chili’s Grill &Bar has selected the NoWait mobile network to power its new mobile waitlisting app.

Rolling out nationwide in summer 2015, NoWait enables guests to search local Chili's restaurants, understand the wait time to be seated and add their names remotely to a restaurant's real-time seating list. Customers will also be able to track their place in line and show up when their table is scheduled to be ready.

Peoria, Ill. - P.F. Chang’s will be coming to the mixed-use Streets of St. Charles development in St. Charles, Missouri. The restaurant, which will be P.F. Chang’s first location in St. Charles County, will feature an Asian-inspired decor and offer outdoor bistro seating along the pedestrian-friendly streetscape.

Construction is expected to begin summer 2015, with an anticipated opening in early 2016.

Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe plans to open 13 new stores in greater Cleveland. The retailer has entered into its first area development agreement in the state of Ohio.