Restaurant

&pizza receives $10 million in funding
Washington, D.C. – Regional pizza chain &pizza may not have the recognition or reach of its larger competitors, bur the company is taking a step in that direction with a $10 million investment for growth and expansion. The company plans to leverage the investment, along with the investors' experience in branded consumer retail, for expansion of its stores in key markets.

Currently, &pizza operates nine locations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, with six more slated to open in the first half of 2015.
Starbucks brings expanded meals program to the U.K.
Seattle - Starbucks has launched its Evenings Program in the U.K., offering a range of meals and shareable hot and cold snacks with premium wines and beers. The newly renovated Stansted Airport store in London, operated in partnership with SSP UK, is the first location to offer Starbucks Evenings, with plans to expand the program to additional stores.

Baker Katz completes redevelopment in Port Arthur, Texas

Houston -- Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced the completion of its 90,000-sq.-ft. redevelopment located in Port Arthur, Texas.
Exclusive: The Big Easy Does It

By Kirsten Early, Partner and Director of Retail, SRSA Commercial Real Estate
Cypress Equities acquires mixed-use project in Huntington Beach

Dallas -- Cypress Equities announced the acquisition of The Strand, a 96,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development located in Huntington Beach, California.

The transaction was secured by a fund managed by Cypress’ real estate investment management group, which has acquired more than $500 million dollars of retail properties during the past two years.
Lettuce Entertain You switches to mobile loyalty with Paytronix

Chicago - Restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) has moved its 25-year-old loyalty program to the Paytronix Rewards platform. LEYE opted to switch because Paytronix offers mobile and data analytics capabilities to support its transition from a card-based to a mobile-based loyalty program.
Dunkin’ Donuts plans 46 new Indiana stores

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is growing its presence in the Hoosier state. The company has signed multi-unit store development agreements with two existing franchise groups to develop 46 restaurants in Indiana during the next several years.
Altamont Capital purchases Cotton Patch Café

Grapevine, Texas – Private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners has purchased specialty restaurant chain Cotton Patch Café, which operates 45 locations in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Kathy Nelson, CEO of Cotton Patch, participated in the investment and will continue in her role.

Altamont Capital also holds major investments in franchisees of the Taco Bell and Sonic Drive-In fast-food chains. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Shake Shack opens first Japan store in 2016

New York - Together with its Japanese licensee Sazaby League Ltd., Shake Shack Inc. will open the first-ever Tokyo Shake Shack in 2016. Shake Shack and Sazaby League intend to open one store in Tokyo and 10 total stores in Japan through 2020.
Williams-Sonoma toasts culinary Team USA

Williams-Sonoma is leveraging the brand equity of a renowned culinary competition, not to mention famed celebrity chef Thomas Keller, to attract more foodies to its stores.

The retailer has been hosting events at stores across the country celebrating Team USA after its medal win at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in January.

&pizza receives $10 million in funding

Starbucks brings expanded meals program to the U.K.

Baker Katz completes redevelopment in Port Arthur, Texas

Exclusive: The Big Easy Does It

Cypress Equities acquires mixed-use project in Huntington Beach

Lettuce Entertain You switches to mobile loyalty with Paytronix

Dunkin’ Donuts plans 46 new Indiana stores

Altamont Capital purchases Cotton Patch Café

Shake Shack opens first Japan store in 2016

Williams-Sonoma toasts culinary Team USA