Hospitality

New York -- North American consumers opened their wallets in the first quarter of 2013 and exhibited a desire to spend again, although they remain cautious, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. Forty-two percent said they plan to spend on discretionary items this year, a six-point rise from fourth quarter 2012, and up from the average of 33% over the past three years.

By Rana K. Williamson, PhD, Better Merchant Accounts

Honolulu -- Jones Lang LaSalle said that it has named Wendell Brooks III as senior VP of the firm’s retail brokerage business in Hawaii.

Brooks will work closely with Hawaii Retail Market Lead Kirk Horiuchi to assist landlord and retail clients. He will be joined by James “Kimo” Greenwell and Robert Kelley, who will focus on retail leasing and sales.  Additionally, Melissa Masicampo joins the firm as brokerage coordinator and Mark Ching joins as graphic designer and marketing specialist to support the growing retail team.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is shaking up its senior management team with five promotions and two new appointments. John Culver, head of the China-Asia Pacific region with more than 10 years of Starbucks experience, is being promoted to group president, China and Asia Pacific (CAP), channel development and emerging brands. Jeff Hansberry, a three-year Starbucks veteran who has worked on the channel development and emerging brands team, is being promoted to president of China and Asia Pacific and will report to Culver.

As part of Von Maur's march beyond its core Heartland markets, in 2008 it opened a 130,000-sq.-ft. anchor store at the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. The Greene Town Center, located in Beavercreek, Ohio, and owned by MPI. That store has become the fashion heartbeat of a vibrant mixed-use destination that was originally built by MPI in 2006, expanded in 2008, and slated to expand again in 2014 with another 40,000 sq. ft. of retail.

Memphis -- Specialty restaurant operator Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is launching a store remodeling initiative that will include more than 20 corporate locations in the first half of 2013 and then expand to franchise locations.

The remodel package, designed by Louis & Partners Design, will encompass external and internal changes. Perkins operates 416 restaurants in 34 states and Canada.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- American Restaurant Concepts is opening a new Dick’s Wings restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla. The restaurant will operate as a franchise with American Restaurant Corporation serving as franchisor and consulting partner.

Dick’s Wings has 15 full-service and two express restaurants in Florida and Georgia.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Pizza chain Domino’s, Inc. reported a 6.2% increase in domestic store sales during first quarter 2013, compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

Domino’s also reported 6.5% international same store sales growth and added a net 75 global stores. Net income increased from $20.7 million to $34.4 million, an almost 66% jump.

As of March 2013, Domino’s operates 10,330 global stores, including 4,923 domestic locations.