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Who's Opening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where Unique Pizza and Subs Corp. (412-209-0657) is planning to open a restaurant in the Milwaukee, WI area within a couple of months. The company also is looking to open franchised restaurants throughout five other U.S. markets, including Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Chesapeake/Norfolk, VA and in western PA. The company’s goal is to have 1,000 locations open in the near future. The current plan is to open as many locations as possible within a 100-mile radius of the company’s first location in Millvale, PA. The restaurants specialize in all types of pizzas, from thin crust to pan pizza, homemade calzones, pocket sandwiches, strombolis, sandwiches, appetizers and salads.
H. E. Butt Grocery Co. (210-938-8000) is planning to open a 143,000 sq.ft. H-E-B supermarket at the intersection of U.S. 183 and RM 2243 in Leander, TX. Opening is slated for early next year. H-E-B currently operates more than 300 supermarkets, including a growing number of large gourmet Central Market stores, which occupy spaces of 70,000 sq.ft. in major metropolitan areas, and more than 80 smaller Pantry Foods stores, which occupy spaces of 24,000 sq.ft. to 30,000 sq.ft. in more rural areas. H-E-B also has 20-plus upscale and discount stores in Mexico. H-E-B processes some of its own bread, dairy products, meat, and tortillas.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. (404-765-8038) is planning to expand throughout central FL. The company is looking to open three to four locations throughout the area during the coming year. Overall, Chick-fil-A is looking to open 65 to 70 restaurants, with a focus on new markets in the western U.S. The company currently operates approximately 1,240 restaurants throughout 38 states and Washington, DC. Chick-fil-A specializes in chicken entrees, sandwiches, and salads, along with waffle fries and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The chain is made up primarily of mall-based stores, but it also includes freestanding locations that offer drive-thru service as well as dine-in seating. Chick-fil-A also licenses its concept to foodservice operators for high-traffic areas, such as schools and airports.
The Quiznos Master, LLC (720-359-3300) is planning to open a Quiznos sub shop at the Chalet Mall located a the intersection of 56th and Summitview Avenues in Yakima, WA. The company currently operates approximately 4,500 quick-service Quiznos Sub restaurants. The shops specialize in a variety of signature subs, such as the Honey Bourbon Chicken, BBQ Chipotle Carved Turkey, or Honey Bacon Club. Quiznos also serves salads, soups, and dessert items. The company operates in more than 20 countries.
Great Clips, Inc. (952-746-6534) is planning to open locations in established and emerging markets, as well as in new markets, this year. The company recently opened its 2,500th salon in Pittsburgh, PA at Mt. Nebo Pointe Shopping Center. Overall, the company is looking to operate 2,700 salons by the end of this year.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (415-421-7900) is planning to open Home stores in Philadelphia, PA and in Coral Gables, FL during the fall. The company currently operates Home stores in Palo Alto and Beverly Hills, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Cincinnati, OH and Portland, OR. The stores specialize in high-end furniture, as well as draperies, rugs and towels and linens. The company also is planning to open more West Elm stores this year. The company specializes in contemporary and modern furniture, as well as rugs, decorative accessories, lights and artwork. The company’s retail chains, Williams-Sonoma and larger Grande Cuisine, which sells upscale cookware, Pottery Barn and larger Design Studio, which sells housewares and furniture, and Hold Everything, which specializes in storage items, sell wares through approximately 570 stores throughout 43 states, Washington, DC and Canada. In addition, Williams-Sonoma operates about 15 Williams-Sonoma outlet stores and six e-commerce Web sites.
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. (704-758-1000) is planning to open approximately 155 Lowe’s Home Improvement stores this year, with a focus on the Northwest and western U.S. The company also is planning to open about 100 stores throughout Canada. The company currently operates more than 1,252 superstores throughout 49 states. The company’s stores sell about 40,000 products for do-it-yourselfers and professionals for home improvement and repair projects, such as gardening products, home fashion items, lumber, millwork, plumbing and electrical supplies, and tools, as well as appliances and furniture.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. (215-245-9100) is planning to roll out a chain of plus-sized lingerie stores nationwide called Cacique. The stores will carry sizes 12 to 28 and feature changing rooms with tri-fold mirrors for viewing at different angles. The company already has opened seven stores this year and plans on having 50 stores by year’s end. The company currently operates approximately 2,235 stores throughout 48 U.S. states with three apparel chains that cater to plus-size women: 1,025 Fashion Bug stores that sell moderately-priced apparel and accessories in girls, juniors, misses, and plus sizes; more than 470 Catherines Plus Size stores; and some 720 Lane Bryant stores. Charming Shoppes serves low- to middle-income women and teens who follow fashion styles. Overall, plus-size apparel accounts for more than 75% of the company’s sales.
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (817-252-8000) is planning to open a 9,200 sq.ft. store at the Central Park South center located in Steamboat Springs, CO. During 2007, the company is planning to open approximately 40 stores. The company sells about 4,000 items, imported from more than 40 countries, through about 1,150 Pier 1 Imports and Pier 1 Kids stores in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Pier 1 stores offer a selection of indoor and outdoor furniture, lamps, vases, baskets, ceramics, dinnerware, candles, and other specialty products. Many of the products are handcrafted with materials such as rattan and wood.
Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (516-627-1515) is planning to open Morton’s steakhouse restaurants in San Jose and Anaheim, CA by the end of the year or during early 2007. The company currently operates eight restaurants throughout CA, including locations in Beverly Hills, Burbank, Los Angeles, Palm Desert, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Ana. Morton’s specializes in steak, fresh fish, lobster, lamb and chicken entrees, as well as desserts. The San Jose restaurant will be located at Park Center Plaza in the city’s downtown area, which is directly across from the Tech Museum and Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The Anaheim Morton’s site is located at the intersection of South Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way, one block from the Anaheim Convention Center. The company owns and operates approximately 70 upscale Morton’s steakhouse locations throughout nearly 30 states, including in major markets.
Dollar General Corp. (615-855-4000) is planning to open 800 Dollar General stores nationwide this year. The company currently operates more than 8,000 discount stores throughout approximately 32 states, primarily in the southern and eastern U.S. and the Midwest. Offering basic household items such as cleaning supplies and health and beauty aids, as well as some apparel and food, the company targets low-, middle-, and fixed-income customers. Its stores are generally located in small towns. Its big-city stores (about 30% of its total) are located primarily in lower-income neighborhoods. About a third of its stores’ goods are priced at $1 or less; the highest-priced products go for about $35.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. (512-477-4455) is planning to open a Whole Foods store in Eugene, OR. Construction is slated to begin this fall. The company also is looking to open as many as 25 stores next year. Whole Foods Market currently operates 180 stores throughout 30 U.S. states; Washington, DC; and in Canada and the United Kingdom. The stores emphasize perishable products, which account for more than two-thirds of sales. Whole Foods offers more than 1,500 items in four lines of private-label products, such as the premium Whole Foods and a line of organic products for children called Whole Kids. In addition, the company has moved into the related businesses of nutritional supplements. |