Restaurant

Orlando, Fla. -- Olive Garden plans to remodel or refresh more than half of its 700 plus restaurants across the United States to its new Tuscan farmhouse-inspired design.

Called “Via Tuscany,” the updated décor includes new tables, chairs and booths, a palette of warm, rustic tones and design elements of a farmhouse in Tuscany. Other updates include new window treatments.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, announced that Yves Rey, corporate quality general manager Danone, has been appointed chairman elect to replace current chairman, Jürgen Matern, Metro AG, once he completes his mandate in February 2012. Yves Rey will become the sixth chairman of the Global Food Safety Initiative. 

Foxborough, Mass. -- Patriot Place shopping center, located in Foxborough, Mass., announced that Charming Charlie boutique opened today, its first location in Massachusetts.

Chicago – Bar-and-restaurant concept Bar Louie said Tuesday it is undertaking a major national expansion initiative of more than 100 new locations in 20 markets nationwide and has appointed Jones Lang LaSalle as its exclusive real estate advisor.

Jones Lang LaSalle will work in tandem with Bar Louie’s real estate team and select brokers in various markets to leverage both tenant-favorable conditions, as well as the availability of vacant full-amenity restaurant space located within high-density urban and suburban markets.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said it has brought Gastón Acurio's Peruvian restaurant concept La Mar to New York City's Madison Square Park, as Acurio’s company has taken over the former Tabla space at 11 Madison Ave.

RKF recently arranged the retail lease assignment, including approximately 9,000 sq. ft. on two floors, in the Credit Suisse Building on the southeast corner of 25th Street.

The restaurant is slated to open in the fall.

Sacramento, Calif. -- Voit Real Estate Services announced that the Gallelli Retail Team, led by Jason K. Gallelli, has joined the Sacramento office of Voit.

In their previous role with Colliers International, The Gallelli Retail Team represented more than 50 Northern California shopping centers, as well as representing more than 25 national retailers, such as Cinemark Theatres, Best Buy, TJX Companies, Costco, Sprouts Farmers Market, Chipotle, and Panera Bread.
 

Fort Worth, Texas -- Applebee’s Services said Wednesday it has chosen customer analytics firm Buxton to assist with the franchise system’s real estate expansion and company asset-management strategies for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill &Bar restaurants.

Applebee’s, a DineEquity brand, will use Buxton’s Scout platform, to establish future expansion in potential franchise markets and assist in asset management decisions.

Minneapolis -- Carlson Restaurants, parent of T.G.I. Friday’s, announced at a conference in Dallas last week that it plans to double the number of units globally under a program it is calling Ambition 2015.

"With the strength of our Friday's brand, our management team and our franchise partners, we are uniquely positioned to dramatically increase the footprint of our business," said Nick Shepherd, president and CEO of Carlson Restaurants.