Hospitality

Atif Rafiq was named to the newly created position of chief digital officer at McDonald’s after previously serving as general manager of Kindle Direct Publishing at Amazon.

In his new role, Rafiq will lead McDonald's global digital strategy focusing on future growth in e-commerce, modernizing the restaurant experience and engaging with consumers across the digital landscape. Rafiq will report to chief brand officer Steve Easterbrook.

New York -- Chain Store Age invites retailers, design firms, architects and suppliers to submit entires for its 33rd annual Retail Store of the Year design competition.     For more information and an entry form, click here.   

Mixed-use development works for trade areas where demand matches each use

Different developers look at mixed-use in different ways. One developer will look for trade areas that provide solid demand for retail, residential, office and perhaps other uses. The goal is to create developments where no single use dominates the others.

Still other developers gauge the demand for various uses and adjust the use offerings to match demand. In such cases, one use may dominate the center.

The Trademark approach to demand

Earlier this year, quick-serve behemoth Dunkin’ Brands, which operates 10,500 Dunkin’ Donuts in 31 countries and 7,000 Baskin Robbins in 50 countries, announced its first new store design in seven years.

New York -- Urban Outfitters has purchased 6.5 acres in the Philadelphia suburb of Devon, Pa., on which is plans to build a lifestyle shopping village concept, according to Racked Philly.

The report said that the retailer plans to build a Terrain garden center, an Anthropologie, a boutique hotel, two restaurants, and a specialty foods market, along with such other  possibilities as a health/spa facility.

New York — Sam’s Club will open two new clubs on Oct. 3. One is located in Romeoville, Ill. Romeoville Mayor John Noak, Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings and former Bears tight end Desmond Clark, will attend the grand opening.

The second new Sam’s Club is located in Edmond, Okla. Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White and former Sooner running back Billy Sims will attend the grand opening.

 

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts plans to develop three new restaurants throughout northern Colorado, in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, and Estes Park. The first restaurant is expected to open in 2015 and the remainder by 2017.

New franchisees Doug Patterson and Cameron Stapleton signed a multi-unit development agreement. Stapleton will manage and oversee the company's daily operations for each restaurant. Franchise opportunities in the state are still available in Colorado Springs.

New York — Just Salad has leased a 1,434 sq. ft. ground floor space at 325 Hudson Street, a 10-store, 240,000-sq.-ft. building in the heart of New York City’s Hudson Square.

New Street Realty Advisors represented Just Salad in lease negotiations with landlord Jamestown Properties.