Restaurant

Corner Bakery Cafe is in a growth mode. The company, which was acquired in 2011 by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, is entering new markets and opening locations across the country, from New York City to Las Vegas. It will end the year with 185 cafes (114 company-owned and 71 franchised). The company plans to more than double its U.S. footprint by 2017 through a combination of franchised and company-owned cafes.

Gary Price, a restaurant executive with over 20 years of experience, joined Corner Bakery Cafe as president in October 2012.

In the old days, outlet centers either didn’t offer food options or the pickings were pretty lean. In today’s iteration, however, food often takes center stage.

Villa Enterprises, a 50-year-old multi-brand restaurant operator of banners such as Villa Italian Kitchen, Mo’ Burger, South Philly Steak & Fries and Tinta Mexicana, has set the curve with its “Food Hall by Villa” in Simon’s Arizona Mills Shopping Center in Tempe. In a completely transformed, 13,262-sq.-ft. dining space with 14,280 sq. ft.

Prolific developer Trademark Property Company is doing its part to ramp up the country’s new development and active redevelopment stats. The Fort Worth, Texas-based firm has five projects under construction:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting this month, social media users and others can send each other beers, cocktails and food items as gifts via a growing number of gift card options and features from Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.  The chain has re-designed its gift card experience for both senders and receivers of gift cards that are redeemable at nearly 2,000 Applebee’s locations across the country.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has appointed Tom Horton, former chairman and CEO of American Airlines, as a new member of the company’s board, effective Nov. 21. Horton became the 16th member of the Board and will also serve as a member of the company’s Audit Committee.

CANTON, Mass. - Dunkin’ Donuts continues its aggressive expansion with the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with five franchise groups for a total commitment of 63 new restaurants in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Palm Springs and Bakersfield over the next several years.

Yonkers, New York - Forest City Ratner Companies, owner and developer of Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, New York, announced that The Container Store will occupy 25,000 sq. ft. on Market Street across from The Whole Foods Market Yonkers.   

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Domino’s Pizza is continuing its international growth by opening its first store in Kenya. Master Kenya franchise holder Om Nom Nom Ltd. opened a store in Nairobi Nov.8 and will open more stores in the city in the next few years.
"Establishing ourselves in Kenya provides an excellent opportunity for our brand to continue growing globally," said Ritch Allison, Domino's Pizza international president. "Domino's has terrific potential to offer an unmatched pizza experience to the people of Nairobi."