Hospitality

A new research report by The NPD Group unveiled information I already knew:  the restaurant space is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, the total restaurant count in the U.S. increased by 4,442 units over last year, according to NPD’s recent restaurant census Fall 2012 ReCount.

That’s no small potatoes.

Some 616,008 eateries now dot the country, representing a .7% increase over last year, with the biggest growth coming from the quick-serve segment (up 1% over last year, or an added 4,037 units).

Chicago -- There were 4,442 more restaurants in the U.S. in fall 2012 than there were in fall 2011, according to a recent U.S. restaurant census conducted by The NPD Group.

The total number of U.S. restaurants is now 616,008, a .7% increase over last year, based on NPD’s Fall 2012 ReCount, which is a count of commercial restaurant locations in the United States compiled in the spring and fall each year.

San Francisco -- Westfield San Francisco Centre is partnering with the Asian Art Museum, Bloomingdale’s and M.Y. China to celebrate the Chinese New Year with music and dance performances, storytelling, live cooking demonstrations, zodiac readings and more – all launching in January.

ITASCA, Ill. — Jewel-Osco announced that it is celebrating Black History Month this February with the company’s 14th annual “A Taste of Black History” program.

The initiative will kick off with a VIP shopping event for customers on Jan. 24 at the Jewel-Osco at 1655 E. 95th St., in Chicago. “A Taste of Black History” customer tasting events will continue throughout February at select stores.

The New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be home to the Sylvania 300 NASCAR race for five more years following the renewal of a sponsorship agreement.

North American lighting leader Osram Sylvania said it extended its title sponsorship of the race through 2017 with the operator of New Hampshire’s largest sports and entertainment facility. Osram Sylvania has sponsored the race for the past 10 years.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. said Friday that Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe will open a 24,000-sq.-ft., ground-floor location at Gables Ponce, a mixed-use project located in Coral Gables, Fla.
 
Epicure, based in Miami Beach, will anchor the ground-floor retail of the 248-unit residential project being built by Gables Urban.
 

LANDOVER, Md. — A supermarket chain in the Washington area is marking Inauguration Day by donating lunches to the police officers assigned to guard it.

Ahold banner Giant Food of Landover, Md. — also known as Giant-Landover to distinguish it from fellow Ahold banner Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa. — said it would donate boxed lunches and water to the 5,000 officers of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police and National Park Service.

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced that a new high-end wine and spirits shop has signed a lease at 1287 First Avenue, between East 69th and East 70th Streets.

The building owners recently renovated the entire façade of the building and leased out all of the ground-floor retail space. The 1,932-sq.-ft. wine shop features marble and hardwood floors, and is slated to open spring 2013. Co-tenants include Starbucks, Papyrus and Val El Salon and Spa.