Restaurant

St. Louis -- Panera Bread Co. announced that founder and executive chairman, Ron Shaich, and president and CEO, Bill Moreton, will become co-CEOs, effective immediately.

The announcement formalizes a relationship that has evolved over the last year and is a reflection of the way in which Shaich and Moreton have been operating as partners, the company said.

Each individual's formal title will be as follows: Ron Shaich, chairman of the board and co-CEO; Bill Moreton, president and co-CEO.

New Canaan Conn. -- Gridiron Capital, LLC, in partnership with the founder and existing  management team of Quality Sollutions Inc. announced the acquisition of QSI.

Las Vegas -- Digital gift card solution-provider Transaction Wireless said Tuesday that Applebee’s expanded its offering with the Transaction Wireless platform to provide its sports fans with personalized digital gift cards as part of its “Catch the Game” invite application on Facebook.

The app is timed to launch in concert with the March Madness NCAA basketball series. Basketball fans visit the Applebee’s Facebook page and schedule a viewing party at any Applebee's location to invite family and friends to attend.

Durham, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Fuji Steakhouse at Southpoint Crossing shopping center, located in Durham, N.C.

The Japanese restaurant leased 6,400 sq. ft. and is slated to open in summer 2012.

The 103,128-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 59,160-sq.-ft. Kroger alongside national retailers such as McDonald’s, GNC, Ruby Tuesday and H&R Block.
 

Columbia, Md. -- Micros Systems said Monday that Friendly’s Ice Cream has expanded its partnership with Micros through the addition to its technology solution set of online ordering and a guest loyalty program.

To support its initiative of adding to its customer base and retaining current customers, Friendly's has elected to deploy Micros webOrdering and Micros iCare Customer Relationship Management solutions.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced Monday the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with QSR Services for nine new restaurants in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.

The first restaurant is planned to open in 2013, and the remainder by 2017.

"We are excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' presence in Omaha and Lincoln and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," said Bryce Bares, president, QSR Services.
 

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group said Friday it has opened its 42nd store, a full-line department store in Walnut Creek, Calif. The opening of the store makes California the retailer’s third largest market, behind Texas and Florida.

Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek features 85,870 sq. ft. of dedicated specialty retail space, personal shopping areas for men and women, cosmetics treatment rooms, an NM Café and a special events room.
 

Seattle -- Starbucks will open its largest location in Europe, in the center of Amsterdam, on March 9. The 4,500-sq.-ft. store is located in the vault of the historic Amsterdamsche Bank, a landmark building on Amsterdam’s famous Rembrandt Square.