Hospitality

CANTON, Mass. and STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has signed a five-year contract making it the exclusive water supplier for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants nationwide.

Minneapolis -- Investment firm Joh. A. Benckiser Group agreed to acquire Caribou Coffee Co. for approximately $340 million.

Caribou will continue to be based in Minneapolis and operate under its own brand and management, the companies said in a statement. As of September 30, 2012, the company had 610 coffeehouses, including 202 franchised locations, in 22 states, the District of Columbia and 10 international markets.

PLANO, Texas — Tostitos surprised 28 U.S. military veterans who have previously served overseas with a special homecoming celebration.

Huntsville, Ala. -- Nashville-based Baker Storey McDonald, an X Team International partner, said it has acquired its first property in Huntsville, Ala. The firm purchased Whitesburg Center for $6.7 million.

The 51,943-sq.-ft. shopping center is tenanted by Dollar Tree, Mattress Firm, Cheeburger Cheeburger and Baskin Robbins, among others.

Baker Storey McDonald will manage and lease the center.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Charter Realty & Development said it has leased 43,842 sq. ft. for an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the City Point Development in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema features an upscale theater-restaurant combination. City Point will have seven screens of new releases, repertory programming and the Alamo’s signature programming with seating for over 900 moviegoers.
 

NEW YORK — In an era of increasingly complex global supply chains and product safety concerns, Deloitte and Decernis have formed a strategic alliance to provide compliance solutions to consumer product, food service, retail and distribution companies.

The alliance combines Deloitte's food safety, quality and supply chain experience and the software platform and content provided by Decernis for tracking and alerting consumer businesses about compliance issues.

Starbucks blends tradition with innovation, transforming the vault of the historic Amsterdamsche Bank, a landmark building in Rembrandt Square, into its largest store in Europe. The chain’s first “concept” store in Europe, it spans 4,500 sq. ft. and was conceived as a theatre space with a 57-foot coffee bar as its stage, with multi-level areas that provide stages for local bands, poetry readings and other cultural activities. The store will function as a test space for rare and exclusive coffees, diverse coffee brewing methods, and new food concepts.

Meyers has created a new division called Meyers Engage to focus on digital initiatives with CPG and food service companies. The Minneapolis-based firm plans to use cloud-based software platforms and mobile applications to help brands connect directly to customers through fun, informative and rewarding content, according to the company. The division has already begun deploying digital marketing campaigns for internationally known snack food and coffee brands.