Hospitality

Charleston, S.C. -- PeopleMatter, a talent management solution provider for the service industry, said that Apple Sauce, LLC, a major franchisee in the Applebee’s system, has selected the the PeopleMatter Platform for talent management to find, develop and manage talent. The solution will be used for more than 78 Applebee’s locations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. reported Thursday that it scored record results in the quarter ended July 3, prompting the retailer to accelerate its 2012 new store opening targets to 800 net new stores globally.

Starbucks grew profits 34% in the third quarter, to $279 million from $208 million in the year-ago period. Sales rose 12% to $2.9 billion from $2.6 billion, topping Wall Street estimates.

Same-store sales globally surged 8%, buoyed by a 6% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in average ticket.

San Mateo, Calif. -- Hillsdale Shopping Center, located in San Mateo, Calif., is currently undergoing an extensive 80,000-sq.-ft. renovation to an area previously occupied by Mervyn’s.

The transformation will feature San Mateo County’s first Cheesecake Factory, a two-story Forever 21, and H&M as anchors of the center’s south end.

New Lenox, Ill. -- Urban Retail Properties, LLC, Center Creek Development, LLC and Mansur & Co. announced Wednesday a joint venture to build, lease and manage Spring Creek Outlets of Chicago, located in New Lenox, Ill.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial Real Estate announced the completion of several transactions that will bring new Carl’s Jr. restaurants to Garland, Balch Springs, Lufkin, and Beaumont, Texas, by the end of the year.

With the addition of these four locations owned and operated by RWJP Star Enterprises, the total number of Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Texas will be 48.

NEW YORK — Mike Boylson, formerly EVP and CMO of JCPenney, has traded retailing for baseball. The 32-year JCPenney veteran, who officially stepped down from the company on July 1, and a friend are opening a franchise of D-Bat, a baseball and softball training academy, Advertising Age reported. The facility is due to open this fall.

Katy, Texas -- Houston-based developer Vista Equities Group reports a rise in lease activity and interest for its mixed-use town center development in Katy, Texas – LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. The remaining 3,100 sq. ft. of phase one retail space and almost 6,000 sq. ft. of existing office space has been leased.

New retailers include Another Round and Flip Flop Shop. Businesses relocating or adding locations in LaCenterra include Amerejuve Med Spa, Retina Consultants of Houston and Eventsia Group.

New York City -- Mike Boylson, formerly executive VP and CMO of J.C. Penney, has traded retailing for baseball. The 32-year J.C. Penney veteran, who officially stepped down from the company on July 1, and a friend are opening a franchise of D-Bat, a baseball and softball training academy, Advertising Age reported. The facility is due to open this fall.