Hospitality

New York -- RKF announced that it has arranged four long-term leases for U.K.-based sandwich chain Pret A Manger.

The new stores are located at 655 Sixth Avenue, 319 Broadway, 350 Park Avenue and 303 Park Avenue South. With the addition of these new stores, Pret A Manger will have 36 Manhattan locations.

While the 655 Sixth Avenue location recently opened, the other three locations are slated to open in April.

New York -- A report released Monday by Ipsos found that affluent optimism in the U.S. economy rose significantly in February.

North Brunswick, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has opened a 2,166-sq.-ft. location at The Shoppes at North Brunswick in North Brunswick, N.J.

The open-air lifestyle center is owned by New York-based Garrison Investment Group and managed by Levin Management.

The Shoppes at North Brunswick’s current tenant mix includes Anthropologie, Chico’s and Banana Republic, among others.

Madison, Ala. -- Brentwood, Tenn.-based GBT Realty announced that several new tenants bring its Shoppes of Madison property to near 100% occupied.

Moe’s Southwest Grill will join the new shopping center, along with Buenavista Mexican Cantina, which will open a 7,220-sq.-ft. restaurant on a 1.55-acre outparcel.

The Target-anchored Shoppes of Madison also features Ross, Petco, Kinnucan’s, and numerous junior anchors and small shops. The 28-acre center, which opened in 2012, was developed and leased by GBT Realty Corp.

Chicago -- AWE Talisman and Macerich announced Monday that Fashion Outlets of Chicago will open on August 1 in Rosemont, Ill., featuring Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and 120 additional brands.

The two-level, 530,000-sq.-ft. outlet mall is the first fully enclosed, multi-level property with this level of amenities in the Chicago area in more than two decades, according to both companies.

Austin, Texas -- Schlotzsky's has signed the brand's largest franchise agreement in more than 40 years, entering into a partnership that calls for more than 170 Schlotzsky's locations throughout California. The company, which currently has more than 350 locations worldwide, plans to have upwards of 700 locations by 2016.
   
Each of the new restaurants will feature a new, contemporary design and an upgraded service model in which crew members hand-deliver food to the tables.

Waban, Mass. -- Survey results released Wednesday by Temkin Group revealed that Publix and Trader Joe’s ranked the highest among 246 companies in terms of customer experience.

The 2013 Temkin Experience Ratings, which polled 10,000 U.S. consumers, were dominated by grocery chains and food purveyors. After Public and Trader Joe’s was Aldi, and rounding out the top 12 were Chick-fil-A, Amazon.com, Sam's Club, H.E.B., Dunkin' Donuts, Save-a-Lot, Sonic Drive-In, Little Caeser's and Ace Hardware.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers, owner of Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Mich., said Friday that The Cheesecake Factory will make a Michigan debut with a new restaurant opening at Twelve Oaks.

The 8,430-sq.-ft. Cheesecake Factory will open in latter 2013, and will feature French limestone floors, decorative columns, hand-painted murals and contemporary lighting.

Twelve Oaks Mall is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, J.C. Penney, Sears and the Lifestyle Café Food Court.