Hospitality

San Francisco -- A survey released Monday by online reservation firm OpenTable found that, when Valentine’s Day bookends a weekend, it tends to benefit restaurants.

Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Thursday this year, will likely be celebrated beyond the official day, as diners continue to celebrate over the following weekend.

The Valentine’s Day survey also found that the projected check average this year is $139, which is 63% higher than the typical OpenTable check average of $85 per couple. 

New York -- Starbucks Coffee Co. on Friday opened its first location in Vietnam, following an expanded long-term relationship with Hong Kong Maxim’s Group.
 
The two-level flagship store has been designed to reflect Starbucks’ signature coffee heritage, while embracing Vietnam’s distinctive local traditions and coffee culture. It is located the bustling neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

Indianapolis -- Lids Sports Group and the National Football League announced Thursday that Lids will manage multiple retail locations in New Orleans, in addition to operating the principal NFL Shop at Super Bowl Presented by Visa.  

The temporary stores are located within the French Quarter, Riverwalk, and local NFL host hotels as a means to offer Super Bowl spectators alternate sites to purchase official fan gear prior to the NFL season’s championship game.  
 

SAN FRANCISCO — Target has found a new friend in Facebook, as the retailer has become one of the first businesses to participate in the social network's new gift card program.

According to a Reuters report, consumers can buy cards for their Facebook friends for use at four different businesses including Target, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vitton SA's Jamba Juice and Darden Restaurants Inc's Olive Garden.

Johannesburg -- IBM announced that McDonald's South Africa is using IBM social business software to embrace the convergence of social, mobile and cloud facilitating its expansion to new markets and enabling its employees to collaborate more effectively.

Katy, Texas -- Houston-based Vista Equities Group said that a lineup of new retailers and restaurants will open at its mixed-use development in Katy: LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch.
 
Three new retailers opened for business in fourth quarter 2012, and six others have plans in place for first and second quarter openings this year. Lease locations include existing retail space in Phase I and in the new Phase II-A, currently under construction.
 

Miami -- Swire Properties and Bal Harbour Shops announced Wednesday they have agreed to an equity partnership to jointly develop the retail component of Brickell City Centre, currently under construction in the Brickell financial district of downtown Miami.

The 2.9 million-sq.-ft. Brickell City Centre will include 500,000 sq. ft. of high-end retail along with condominiums and hotel slated for completion in latter 2015.
 

Mishawaka, Ind. -- Brixmor Property Group said that Anytime Fitness has opened a 4,200-sq.-ft. facility at Bittersweet Plaza, located in Mishawaka, Ind.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Bittersweet Plaza.