Restaurant

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation, Food Marketing Institute and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) both issued statements applauding the ruling on the Federal Reserve Swipe Fee Regulation. The groups were responding to a U.S. District Court ruling on Wednesday that the implementation rules for debit swipe fee reform established by the Federal Reserve were inconsistent with the intent of the law.

New York -- Fast casual Burger 21 has opened franchised stores in the Atlanta suburb of Buford, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C.

The company plans to open 15 to 20 more franchised units in Atlanta plus another 10 franchised restaurants in Charlotte over the next few years.

Alameda, Calif. — Trabocco, a new, independent chef-owned restaurant, will open this fall at Alameda South Shore Center, according to Jamestown, the center’s owner.

Founded by Chef Giuseppe Naccarelli, a native of Palombaro, Italy, and his wife, Christine, the 4,700-sq.-ft. restaurant will occupy a prominent position in Center Court, the 594,000-sq.-ft. center’s main plaza.

Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ Brands Group, parent of Dunkin’ Donuts, beat Wall Street expectations by more than doubling its second-quarter profit. The company reported a profit of $40.8 million for the period ended June 29, up from $18.5 million a year ago. The year-earlier period included a $20.7 million increase in a litigation reserve.

Revenue increased 5.9% to $182.5 million from $172.4 million. U.S. same-store sales rose 4% at Dunkin' Donuts shops and improved 1.6% at Baskin-Robbins shops.

Alameda, Calif. -- MBH Architects has appointed Klas Eklof and Oliver Mellows as principals for the 170-person firm.

Eklof and Mellows, each both employees of MBH for more than a decade, are looking forward to expanding their leadership roles during a time of exciting growth with increasing portfolios and branded projects, expanding opportunities for the firm.

MBH specializes in retail, residential, hospitality, mixed-use, workspace, and healthcare architecture and design. Their portfolio includes many well-known global clients and projects. 

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced  that it has signed its first Southern California multi-unit store development agreements,  with four franchise groups for a total commitment of 45 locations. 

The first restaurants are expected to open in 2015 in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Some non-traditional Dunkin' Donuts locations may open over the next several months. 

Chicago — Argo Tea has opened a greenhouse-inspired café in Chicago’s newly restored Connors Park. Argo and the city worked together on the park restoration, which includes chamomile and hibiscus tea bushes and native drought-tolerant plant varieties.

Argo Tea opened its first café in Chicago in 2003 and now operates 27. Plans call for 15 new locations over the next 12 months.

ABILENE, Kan. — Argonne Capital Group LLC, a private investment firm based in Atlanta, Ga., has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Alco Stores, which will allow Argonne to acquire all outstanding shares of the broad-line retailer’s common stock for $14 per share in cash.