Restaurant

Orlando, Fla. -- Darden Restaurants, Inc., which operates the Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse banners among others, has completed the repurchase of approximately $900 million of the previously announced $1 billion debt retirement, leaving approximately $1.6 billion of debt on its balance sheet.

New York -- The latest SpendingPulse report from MasterCard showed that U.S. retail sales rose 4.6% year-over-year in July, the largest year-over-year gain since October 2012.

Lodging, Airlines and Restaurants were among the top categories for U.S. retail sales last month, while Automotive, Grocery and Luxury items (excluding Jewelry) were less sought after by consumers.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Winick Realty Group said that Pair Wine and Cheese, a retail café focused on the precise pairings of wines and cheeses, has signed a lease for its first location at 140 Atlantic Avenue between Henry and Clinton Streets in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn.

Set to open in fourth quarter 2014, Pair Wine and Cheese will occupy approximately 1,000 sq. ft. on the ground floor, as well as about 500 sq. ft. in an outdoor garden.

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), the developer and owner of the Westchester’s Ridge Hill shopping center, has announced some new tenants that will open at the regional center. They include 5 Napkin, a family-friendly bar and grill; Wine Zetta, a regional wine store; and Hand and Stone, a spa franchise.

Boulder, Colo. -- Cheesecake Factory is North America’s favorite casual-dining chain, according to a study by Market Force Information. More than 6,100 consumers were polled for the study, which ranks the top restaurant chains in five categories: general menu, breakfast, steak, Italian and seafood. Cheesecake Factory was tops in the general menu category, receiving high marks for quality of food, healthiness of food and atmosphere.
 

Scottsdale, Ariz. - The Cold Stone Creamery will open its first store in Pakistan in September. Kahala Brands, the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, has signed a master franchise agreement with Venus Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., part of the Venus Group of companies, spearheaded by Adnan Asad.  

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has inked an exclusive deal with developer L.A. Style to expand the coffee and tea retailer into Japan by the end of this year.

L.A. Style is a joint-venture partnership between fast-casual restaurateur Hotland Co. and Japan’s largest shopping mall developer Aeon Mall Co.
The deal ultimately calls for 200 stores across Japan.

Virginia Beach, Virginia — Tupelo Honey Cafe has leased 7,000 sq. ft. at Town Center of Virginia Beach, offering traditional Southern restaurant fare. This second Tupelo Honey Cafe in Virginia will be located at the corner of Constitution Drive and Main Street on the first floor of the newly constructed 4525 Main Street Tower, according to Divaris Real Estate, which leases and manages the center.