Wetzels Pretzels (626-432-6900) opened two multi-brand stores at Colorado Mills in Golden, CO. The company plans on opening seven multi-brand stores during the coming three months and up to 20 stores are planned during 2003. The company currently operates 150 stores worldwide.

Mondrian Pastry (516-829-1196) is planning to open a pastry shop and cafe on 1026 Third Avenue in New York, NY during April 2003. The company also is planning to double the size of its Great Neck, NY shop.

C I Host (888-868-9931) is planning to open its first store in the Dallas Galleria, a 1.8 million sq.ft. center located in Dallas, TX. The company specializes in selling Web hosting and Internet infrastructure services.

Kohl’s Corp. (262-803-7000) opened 37 stores during the quarter, which include 33 prototype stores and four small-market test stores. The new prototype stores include four locations in Providence, RI. In addition, the company added three stores in the Milwaukee, WI market; six stores in OH, four stores in NJ, two stores in the Boston, MA market; two stores in the Columbia, SC market; two stores in MN and one additional store each in CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, MI, NC, NY, TX and VA. The four small-market test stores were opened in IA, MI, NC and WI. During 2003, the company plans to open 80 stores. In the first quarter, Kohl’s Corp. is planning to open 35 stores, including 28 in southern CA. In addition, the company will open three stores in the San Antonio, TX market and stores in Kalamazoo, MI; Springfield, MA; Hoosket, NH and Doylestown, PA. In the Fall season, the company plans to open approximately 45 stores, including locations into the Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV markets. The company currently operates 457 stores nationwide.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (310-342-5000) is planning to open three full-service restaurants by the end of the year. The company currently operates 114 restaurants under the name California Pizza Kitchen or California Pizza Kitchen ASAP throughout 26 states and Washington, DC. The company also franchises the concept and currently has 32 additional restaurants, which operate under franchise or license agreements.

Cold Stone Creamery (480-348-1704) is planning to open a store at Redmond Town Center in Redmond, WA by the end of the year. The company is planning 11 other openings throughout WA during the coming year. The company currently operates 290 stores nationwide, with more than 100 opening in the past year. Cold Stone Creamery is planning to operate 1,000 stores by the end of 2004.

Marc’s (216-265-7700) is planning to open drug stores at Phar-Mor locations in Austintown and Boardman, OH during the first three months of 2003. Marc’s currently operates 54 stores, mostly in the Cleveland, Akron and Canton, OH areas.

The Home Depot, Inc. (770-433-8211) is planning to open a store in Garden City, KS. The company recently opened a store in Hutchinson, KS and also is planning an opening in Manhattan, KS. The company currently operates 1,473 stores nationwide, including 1,321 Home Depot stores, 52 Expo Design Center stores, three Landscape Supply stores and one floor store. The company also operates 87 Home Depot stores throughout Canada, 10 in Mexico and seven throughout Puerto Rico.

Obee’s Franchise Systems, Inc. (866-623-3462) is planning to open at least 40 to 60 eateries by year’s end. The company is planning to open 15 stores throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX market. Obee’s currently operates 21 franchised stores.

Mr. Pita/Pita Depot (586-978-1898) is planning to open 20 Pita Depot units throughout the Cleveland, OH area during 2005 and expand throughout Toledo, OH and Chicago, IL. The company also plans to open 85 units in MI and other markets by 2005. The chain, which specializes in rolled pita sandwiches, salads and soups, operates 33 units.

Landry’s Seafood, Inc. (713-850-1010) is planning to open two Joe’s Crab Shack restaurants in the Pittsburgh, PA area. The proposed site in Cranberry, PA is located along Route 228.

Damon’s International, Inc. (614-442-7900) is planning to open 20 locations its current fiscal year and 25 locations during 2003. The company is focusing on markets east of the Mississippi River. The chain expects to more than double its locations to 300 restaurants by 2008.

Big Boy International, LLC (586-759-6000) is planning to open 10 Big Boy restaurants throughout AZ during the next seven years. The company plans to open two restaurants in the Phoenix, AZ area during the coming 18 months and is expecting to eventually open five in the city. The company also is planning to open a restaurant in Tucson, AZ. The company currently operates 455 stores nationwide.

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. (781-380-8000) opened prototype supermarkets in Walpole, MA and Rhinebeck, NY. The Walpole site is located at 565 Main Street, while the Rhinebeck store is located at 6734 Route 9. The new stores offer customers a number of brand new departments and services, including an Office Depot store, a "For Your Home" department carrying home accessories, a greenhouse, a party goods center, a one-hour photo department, a "Best Sellers" department with books, videos and music and a "consultation room" where customers can meet with a pharmacist in private. Both stores also will have expanded health and beauty departments and a full-service Dunkin’ Donuts. The Walpole store will feature a Toys "R" Us Toybox store and a Boston Market restaurant and will be open 24 hours from 7 a.m. on Mondays to midnight on Saturday. On Sundays, the store will be open from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Chicken Box (504-276-6328) is planning to open three stores by year’s end and seven to 10 during 2003. The company currently operates six units in New Orleans, LA.

Applebee’s International, Inc. (913-967-4000) is planning to open 25 restaurants by year’s end. The company currently operates 1,477 restaurants, including 325 company-owned and 1,122 franchised restaurants.

Del Taco (949-462-9300) is planning to open five restaurants in west-central Los Angeles, CA. The company currently operates more than 400 units.