Restaurant

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts on Monday announced it has signed agreements with three franchisees to develop 12 new restaurants throughout Tampa over the next several years.

"The Sunshine State is a priority growth market for Dunkin' Donuts in 2011, and we're excited to expand our footprint in Tampa," said Grant Benson, CFE, VP franchising and market planning, Dunkin' Brands.

New York City -- Limelight Marketplace, an indoor mall in Manhattan, is getting a major facelift. The shopping venue will re-launch in September as a three-story department store called Limelight. Renovation costs will total almost $4 million.

"We want to display Limelight as a 'fashion-forward' venue with sophisticated and modish aesthetics," said developer and owner Jack Menashe. "The restored architecture makes Limelight the distinctive spot that it is -- allowing for an exciting shopping experience.”

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J., announced that The Cheesecake Factory, Reed Krakoff and Swarovski will open this summer, and Ann Taylor will debut a new concept store.

Opening in July is The Cheesecake Factory, and women’s fashion retailer Reed Krakoff will open in early August, the boutique’s first in New Jersey and fourth in the world. Swarovski will open a new boutique under its Crystal Forest retail design concept, its first in New Jersey.

Parker, Colo. -- Westwood Financial Corp. said it has acquired the Stroh Ranch Retail Center, a 6,336-sq.-ft. property in Parker, Colo., outside Denver. Westwood Financial bought the distressed asset in a short sale and said it is currently eyeing similar opportunities in this sector.

The two-unit, 1999-built Stroh Ranch Retail Center currently counts Pizza Hut as its only tenant after Blockbuster vacated last year, leaving it 21% leased.
 

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that its "Macy's Chefs A-Go-Go" food truck tour will kick off in Miami on June 28. The first-ever tour will feature a chef from Macy's Culinary Council at each stop. MCC chefs include Cat Cora, Todd English and Marcus Samuelsson.

Dallas -- Web-based hiring assessment provider PeopleAnswers said Tuesday that The Cheesecake Factory will use the PeopleAnswers HR solution in its 164 restaurants to pre-screen and select hourly staff.

The objective is to fill each position with individuals who will help maintain The Cheesecake Factory’s quality brand.