Restaurant

Louisville, Ky. -- Papa John’s is launching a television commercial starring iconic sportscaster Jim Nantz, and Papa John’s founder, chairman and CEO, John Schnatter, touting the company’s online ordering platform. The commercial also reminds consumers that Papa John’s was the first national pizza company with online ordering at all of its U.S. delivery restaurants in 2001.

Manassas, Va. — Don Lencho Cocina Mexicana has opened at Manassas Shopping Center in Manassas, Va., next to Xtreme Archery. This is the third Washington, D.C., area restaurant owned by the husband and wife team of Juarez and Karen Barroso. The couple also owns Guajillo in Arlington, Va., and Casa Oaxaca in Adams Morgan in Washington, D.C.

The Manassas Shopping Center retail store line-up includes Peebles, Hancock Fabrics, Advance Auto Parts, Tony’s New York Pizza and the Manassas School of Dance.

Alpharetta, Ga. -- McAlister's Deli has partnered with several lenders for franchise expansion nationwide. First Franchise Capital, Balboa Capital and Franchise America Finance have committed to financing new construction and remodels, as well as POS upgrades and equipment.

In 2014, McAlister's will celebrate its 25th anniversary and expects to open 25 new restaurants in new and existing markets, including in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Virginia and Florida, among others.

Despite having comparable store sales decreases in the fourth quarter and fiscal year, Books-A-Million saw core book business improve, driven by what president and CEO Terrance G. Finley  called a strong lineup of new titles.

Revenues for the 13-week period ended Feb. 1 decreased 3.7% to $157.9 million, compared with revenues of $163.9 million in the 14-week year-earlier period. Comparable store sales for the quarter which include comparable 13-week periods this year and last year declined 1.8%, compared with the same period last year.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed an agreement with OLH Group to begin developing Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Brasilia and Goias regions of Brazil. The agreement calls for the development of 65 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Brasilia and Goias areas during the next several years.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with new franchise group, BG&E Investments, to develop five Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and one Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combination location throughout East Texas. The first restaurant is planned to open in summer 2014, and the remainder by 2018.

New York — Muss Development LLC is acquiring a 5,000-sq.-ft. retail condominium located at the base of the Touraine Condominium at 865 Lexington Avenue on New York City’s Upper East Side. Immediately upon closing, Muss will enter into a long-term lease with Le Pain Quotidien for its 31st location in Manhattan.

Known for its organic bread and cakes, Le Pain Quotidien will take the ground-floor retail component.

In the sales transaction, Jones Lang LaSalle represented both Muss Development and the seller, Lex 65.

Seattle – Starbucks reportedly plans to expand a pilot of an evening alcohol and “light bites” menu that includes wine to thousands of stores nationwide. According to Bloomberg, Starbucks executives said the evening food and drink offerings, currently provided in about 40 test stores, will be rolled out during the next several years.