Hospitality

Although Starbucks’ profit in the first quarter rose a better-than-expected 25% to $540.7 million from $432 million in the year-ago period, same-store sales missed Wall Street expectations.

Same-store sales rose 5%, beneath Wall Street expectations of 5.9%. Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 29, 2013 rose 12% to $4.24 billion from $3.79 billion.

Same-store sales in the Americas region also rose 5%, while analysts had expected a 6.4% increase.

New York — Le Pain Quotidien has leased a 3,100-sq.-ft. retail location at 1006 First Avenue, on the northeast corner of East 55th Street. A former Chase Bank location, the site offers 65 ft. of frontage set slightly above street level, allowing for excellent visibility and signage.

Le Pain Quotidien, an organic bakery and communal table restaurant, has more than 200 locations on five continents.

Miller Zell, a retail design and implementation firm headquartered in Atlanta, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Harmon B. “Sandy” Miller founded Miller Zell in 1964 as a printing firm focused on point-of-sale promotions and fulfillment. As the retail landscape changed, Miller Zell evolved to offer comprehensive store design services aimed at improving the customer experience, while controlling implementation costs and creating greater efficiency throughout the production, storage and installation process.
 

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has announced four retail leases with retailers planning to open in the spring. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

DSW has taken 11,833 sq. ft. in Oakland Place, a 155,730-sq.-ft. center in DeKalb, Ill. Michaels and T.J.Maxx anchor the center. A Super Target shadow anchors. Tartan Realty Group represented DSW.

Canton. Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchise group, OKD Holdings, to develop 13 new restaurants throughout Oklahoma City. The first of the planned restaurants will open in 2015.

Together, this team led by second generation Dunkin' Donuts franchisee Misha Goli and his partners will manage and oversee the company's daily operations for each restaurant. Goli currently owns four restaurants throughout Oklahoma City.

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Krispy Kreme has announced a development agreement with existing franchisee Great Circle Family Foods to develop 20 new doughnut shops in Southern California. Over the next seven years. Great Circle currently operates 11 Krispy Kreme shops in Southern Calif., making the company Krispy Kreme’s third largest domestic franchisee.

Krispy Kreme can be found in over 800 locations in more than 20 countries around the world.

St. Paul, Minn. – Bruegger’s Bagels opens a new store concept in Woodbury, Minn., today, and is launching a promotional contest to find artwork to place on a large brick feature wall in the store. Through March 31, amateur and professional artists can submit an abstract, two-dimensional design for the wall.

The winning design will be the focal point of the bakery and will be used in select new bakeries nationwide. The chosen artist will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Contest details are available on Bruegger’s Facebook page.

Dallas — Two new Dickey’s Barbecue Pits will open on January 23, one in Lumberton, Texas, and another in Fairmont, W. Va. Both will offer the first 50 customers gift cards for up to $50.

The Lumberton location will be franchise owner Andy Maredia’s second Dickey’s franchise in the area. He plans to open more locations in the future.

The Fairmont franchisees Joe and Bonnita Pena plan to open five additional locations.