Convenience Stores

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group said Tuesday it has signed agreements to develop 25 new Dunkin' Donuts and two Baskin-Robbins in Louisiana over the next several years.

Cities targeted for development include Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans.

"The state of Louisiana has been a priority growth market for Dunkin' Brands in 2011 and we're excited to expand our footprint in Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans," said Grant Benson, VP franchising and market planning, Dunkin' Brands.

Pearl River, N.Y. -- POS software provider pcAmerica said Tuesday that popcorn franchise Doc Popcorn selected its Restaurant Pro Express POS package to replace its outdated electronic cash registers, adding ongoing flexibility to customize software, as well as pcAmerica recommended and certified designed-to-fit peripherals.

The chain plans to expand the rollout throughout the franchise organization.

Charlotte, N.C. — Harris Teeter will open a 61,000-sq.-ft. store in Baltimore, making it the chain's first in the city and seventh in Maryland.

The store, which will be located in the McHenry Row neighborhood of Baltimore, opens its doors on Dec. 7. The supermarket places strong emphasis on fresh foods, items-to-go and perishable items, Harris Teeter said.

The chain also is applying for LEED certification for the location, noting the supermarket will include electric vehicle charging stations and an integrated refrigeration.

New York City -- Family Dollar hasn’t faced much community opposition during an ambitious decade-long expansion program that has left the company with roughly 7,000 stores in 45 states. However, there is a first time for everything and residents in the North Carolina community of Carrboro are pushing back against the retailer’s efforts to open a new store.

New York City -- The Brookshire Grocery Co. announced that Trent Brookshire, SVP/DMM was elected to the company’s board. He is a fourth generation member of the company’s founding family.

Tustin, Calif. -- Present Value Properties said it has represented Menchie's in six California lease transactions for the frozen yogurt purveyor.

A Menchie's franchisee signed a five-year lease for 1,637 sq. ft. in Orange, in a center anchored by Petco and Michaels. Menchie's will open in first quarter 2012.

In Whittier, Menchie’s will open a 1,250-sq.-ft. shop at Santa Fe Springs Plaza in early 2012. The center is anchored by Food For Less, and is currently undergoing a remodel.

West Hartford, Conn. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Chipotle Mexican Grill will open a new restaurant at Corbin’s Center, located in West Hartford, Conn.

The 3,500-sq.-ft. restaurant is slated to open October 2012.

Corbin’s Center, at 186,163 sq. ft., is anchored by Trader Joe’s alongside national retailers such as Best Buy, Old Navy and Toys “R” Us.

New York City -- A coalition of retail organizations, including the National Retail Federation, the Food Marketing Institute and the National Association of Convenience Stores, have filed a lawsuit charging that the Federal Reserve failed to comply with a new law requiring it to reduce fees bank charge retailers when shoppers use credit cards.

The law, which went into effect Oct. 1, said that banks could charge a maximum of 21 cents when consumers use a debit card, down from an average of 44 cents per transaction.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Regional supermarket chain Tops Markets reported a 3.6% increase in net sales for the period ended Oct. 8.

Third-quarter net sales rose $18.7 million to $538.6 million, the retailer said. Supermarket sales (excluding gasoline sales) totaled $491 million, up $7.5 million, or 1.5%, compared with the year-ago period.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Regional supermarket chain Tops Markets reported a 3.6% increase in net sales for the period ended Oct. 8.

Third-quarter net sales rose $18.7 million to $538.6 million, the retailer said. Supermarket sales (excluding gasoline sales) totaled $491 million, up $7.5 million, or 1.5%, compared with the year-ago period.