Restaurant

New York -- The three rules of retail real estate are the same as the three rules of any other type of real estate – “location, location, location.” But each retail chain has its own unique requirements for what makes a good location, and Charlotte, N.C.-based Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. is getting some technical assistance in determining the best spots for new stores based on factors such as who lives nearby.

Scouting the Best Locations

Seattle – Starbucks will open its first Teavana tea bar in as the company continues to push beyond its core coffee foundation. Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bar will open on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Oct. 24, offering snacks and light foods, loose-leaf teas tea blends and novelty beverages, along with  and related merchandise.  

The store is accented with light woods, comfy seating and low lighting. It has no Starbucks branding.

Dallas — Cypress Equities has acquired Eden Prairie Center in Eden Prairie, Minn., an upscale suburb of Minneapolis. The transaction was carried out by a fund managed by Cypress’ real estate investment management group. Eden Prairie Center is a 1.1-million-sq.-ft., two-level, enclosed shopping center. The mall features more than 100 shops and restaurants. Annual shopper visits exceed 12 million.

Las Vegas — Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is ushering in four new dining and retail destinations spanning 9,192 sq. ft.

Two new restaurants, Meatball Spot and Ketchup Premium Burger Bar will soon boost the restaurant count 17.

Tervis, the insulated tumbler retailer, will open at Miracle Mile Shops in December.  Slated to open in February 2014, Shoe Palace will add its selection of footwear, apparel and accessories to the center.

Hackettstown, N.J. – Custom couponing app Photopon is releasing version 2 of its iOS app, which lets consumers select nearby deals, attach a personal photo and write a message to create a personalized coupon that can be shared through the app, email, text messages or social networking sites.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is increasing its focus on opening stores in college campuses and other non-traditional locations. The list of universities that have recently opened new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in 2013 or plan to open new locations by January 2014 includes Westfield University (second location), Norwich University, Merrimack College, University of Rhode Island (opening two locations), University of Alabama Huntsville, Brandeis University, and Wayne State University.

Watters Creek, in Allen, Texas, began life in a 2005 focus group with two-dozen women from Allen.

Organized by the property’s developer Trademark Property Co., the focus group asked participants what they would like to see in this new mixed-use center. What should it offer? What should it look like? What do you need in Allen, Texas?

Denver – Quiznos is preparing to expand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the recent signature of Royal Bun Cafe as its newest franchisee. Quiznos and Royal Bun Cafe worked together to establish the blueprint for the venture that will bring more than 70 restaurants to the UAE during the next eight years.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah will be the first UAE expansion locales, with stores expected to be complete by early 2014. Quiznos recently expanded into Mexico and Russia.