Convenience Stores

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. is getting a little love from its hometown. For the third consecutive year, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores has been recognized as one of “Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the National Association for Business Resources.

Cincinnati - Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II Inc. has acquired two grocery-anchored shopping centers, expanding the company's portfolio in Colorado. Meadows on the Parkway is a 216,437-sq.-ft. grocery store-anchored shopping center in Boulder, Colorado, The center is anchored by Safeway and also features national tenants Subway, Regus, Great Clips, Michaels, Anytime Fitness and Fast Signs.

San Francisco - Instacart  is expanding a program that lets some contract workers become part-time employees. The online grocery delivery service is now offering its contractor in-store shoppers in Houston and Austin, Texas, the option of applying for new employee roles with expanded responsibilities.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Count Johnny Rockets among those looking forward to starting college later this year. Johnny Rockets is launching a further expansion into college and university campuses through its Express prototype.

Johnny Rockets Express, a quick-service prototype aimed at universities, airports, malls and other entertainment destinations, offers flexible floor plans with options ranging from a 150-sq.-ft., free-standing kiosk to a 1,100-sq.-ft. restaurant.

Lakeville, Minn. - Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s investment sales team recently brokered the sale of Heritage Commons in Lakeville, Minnesota (part of the Minneapolis metropolitan statistical area) to Austin, Texas-based Epic Real Estate Partners. Epic purchased the 138,690-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored neighborhood center.

Heritage Commons is anchored by Cub Foods and is complemented by national and local tenants including Subway, Papa Murphy’s, Great Clips and American Dental.

Canton, Mass. – “California, I’ll be knocking on the golden door.” Dunkin’ Donuts executives may find themselves singing these words from the Grateful Dead classic “Estimated Prophet” as the coffee retailer pursues a massive expansion strategy in the most populated U.S. state.

Louisville, Colo. – When it comes to filling their tanks, consumers are most satisfied by two retailers.

Wawa and Costco are the most satisfying gas station/convenience store and wholesale/grocery/big box retailers for fuel, respectively, according to a new survey of 6,935 U.S. consumers by Market Force Information.