Dallas — TGI Fridays has announced plans to close 36 restaurants in markets throughout the country. The stores were designated “underperforming” in a press release issued by the Texas-based company. “We’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations,” says Ray Risley, U.S. president and chief operating officer of TGI Fridays. Currently the brand operates more than 650 restaurants in 51 countries.
San Antonio — Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group will open a 40,000-square-foot culinary market within the Pearl mixed-use district in San Antonio. Dubbed Pullman Market and scheduled to open in spring 2024, the property will feature four full-service restaurants, as well as fast-casual concepts, an artisan butcher and fishmonger program, beer and wine, local produce and specialties and a seasonal bakery and fresh pasta program. Food-and-beverage concepts within the market will include Fife & Farro, Mezquite, Isidore and Nicosi.
Japanese fast-casual concept Pepper Lunch has signed two deals to open 20 restaurants in Florida and Hawaii. The first agreement includes plans for 10 units in Florida in the Tampa, Orlando and Gainesville markets. The Majestic Restaurant Group will operate the restaurants, with the first opening scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. In Hawaii, NiKU LLC will develop an additional 10 restaurants. The opening of the first unit is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, with initial development focused on Honolulu and the greater island of Oahu. Established …
Culver City, Calif. — Four new tenants have signed leases at The Culver Steps, a 120,000-square-foot mixed-use development located in Culver City, roughly 11 miles outside Los Angeles. Skincare concept Formula Fig has opened a 2,000-square-foot store at the property, and Yunomi Handroll has opened a 2,500-square-foot restaurant. Restaurants AFURI Ramen and Laurel Grill have also signed leases at the development and will occupy 2,600 and 7,500 square feet, respectively. AFURI Ramen is scheduled to open this month, and Laurel Grill will open next year.
North Las Vegas, Nev. — Shake Shack has opened a new drive-thru restaurant in North Las Vegas, roughly 3 miles outside Las Vegas. This marks the first drive-thru for Shake Shack in Nevada and the fifth location for the brand in the state. Shake Shack’s presence in the United States currently includes more than 320 restaurants across 33 states.
Savannah and Tybee Island, Ga. — PRIMO Partners has acquired two Ben & Jerry’s stores in Georgia, making the organization the only operator of the brand in the state. The shops, which are located in Savannah and Tybee Island, will hold grand re-openings in 2024. PRIMO’s multi-brand portfolio now comprises 20 stores across metro Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Houston — LEVCOR has added five new tenants at MarqE, a shopping center located in Houston. Experiential concept Sloomoo Institute now occupies 23,000 square feet at the development, marking the fourth flagship venue in the country for the brand. Immersive Gamebox has also opened at the property within a 3,404-square-foot space, and Glownar Aesthetics has signed a 1,200-square-foot lease. Additionally, Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse has opened a 4,504-square-foot restaurant, and Seaside Poke has signed a 1,600-square-foot lease. Regal Edwards also recently completed renovations to its 23-auditorium cinema at the center, delivering …
Chicago, Ill. — McDonald’s plans to expand its presence to comprise 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027. This will mark the fastest period of growth for the brand according to the company, which announced the planned expansion in its Investor Update and a subsequent press release. Part of McDonald’s “Accelerating the Arches” strategy, the growth will include an expected 1,000 gross restaurant openings in the United States and internationally in 2027.
Bolingbrook, Ill. — McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) has announced plans to test CosMc’s, a new smaller format concept featuring a beverage-led menu with new food and drink items. The first location will open this month in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, where the first McDonald’s franchise location opened in 1955. By the end of 2024, the company plans to open 10 pilot locations for the concept, with target markets set to include the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metropolitan areas. CosMc’s will offer digital and drive-thru ordering formats only, with dynamic menu …
New York City — Brazilian restaurant Fogo de Chão has signed a 5,009-square-foot lease in Manhattan in New York City. Situated within The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, the venue is scheduled to open in 2024. Harrison designed the space, which will feature an expansive dining room and open churrasco grill. This marks the ninth location for the brand in metro New York City.