Hospitality

Iselin, N.J. -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area Restaurants, a franchisor group, has launched a new social media campaign to connect fans across the globe with athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Customers can send personalized messages and good luck wishes to their favorite athletes or teams by using the hashtag #CheersToSochi or by visiting www.cheerstosochi.com.

Upland, Calif. — NewMark Merrill Companies has announced that Waba Grill will open in February at Upland Town Square in Upland, Calif. The restaurant signed a 10-year lease for approximately 2,008 sq. ft. of space near O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Voit Real Estate Services represented Waba Grill.

NewMark Merrill manages Upland Town Square, which is owned by the company’s president and CEO Sandy Sigal.

Dallas — Corner Bakery Café ended 2013 with a multi-unit restaurant development agreement to open eight new restaurants in the Sacramento area with a new franchise partner, East Bay restaurants of Pleasanton, Calif.

East Bay owns and operates 48 Burger King and seven Taco Bell restaurants. The group of veteran restaurant operators plans to open its first Corner Bakery in 2014 and the remaining seven over the next five years.

In its PizzaRev case study series, CSA Online offers an insider’s look at the conception, initial rollout and growth of the southern Calif.-based fast-casual concept PizzaRev. Likened to “the Chipotle of pizza,” this innovative chain lets customers choose from an artisanal array of toppings to craft their own pizzas very quickly in a high-end stone hearth oven.

Covington, La. — JCH Development and Stirling Properties have broken ground on Magnolia Marketplace, a 106,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in New Orleans, at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Cafe rounded out 2013 with a multi-unit restaurant development agreement and plans to open eight new restaurants in the Sacramento area with new franchise partner East Bay Restaurants, Pleasanton, Calif.

East Bay Restaurants, which owns and operates 48 Burger King and seven Taco Bell restaurants, plans to open its first cafe in 2014 and the remaining sites over the next five years.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. announced that it has rolled out an updated version of its mobile app for iOS which provides “added layers” of protection. The company said it encourage customers to download the update as an additional safeguard measure.

The news comes after reports surfaced that the chain’s mobile app was not secure and leaves users vulnerable. In a letter posted on Starbucks’ website, company CIO Curt Garne  noted the app update was being done out of caution.

St. Louis — Bar Louie will open its newest location on January 21 in St. Charles, Mo.

It will be the chain’s fifth Missouri location. The 6,484-sq.-ft.  bar and eatery will seat 241 patrons.