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Who's Opening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where Wingstop Restaurants, Inc. (972-686-6500) is planning to open approximately 22 Wingstop restaurants throughout Phoenix, AZ. The locations will include a mix of 11 franchised stores and 11 corporate stores. The expansion also will include the largest Wingstop restaurant, a 2,400 sq.ft. location at the Spectrum Mall on West Bethany Home Road. Wingstop Restaurants operates and franchises more than 450 quick-service eateries throughout approximately 26 states that specialize in Buffalo-style chicken wings. The aviation-themed restaurants typically offer dine-in seating as well as take-out service, which accounts for 80% of sales. Wingstop is owned by Houston-based Hartz Restaurants, which operates the Hartz Krispy Chicken ‘N’ Rolls chain.
FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Services, Inc. (214-550-7000) is planning to open FedEx Kinko’s stores throughout Orlando, FL. The company also is looking to open a new concept store, which features an expanded line of office supplies, electronics accessories and convenience items such as dish soap and mints. The company operates more than 1,500 business service centers throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. FedEx Kinko’s offers a wide range of printing services, including graphic design, color printing, and binding. Among the products the company prints are banners, business cards, flyers, invitations, marketing collateral, newsletters and posters. It also sells office supplies and rents teleconferencing rooms. Primarily serving small business and home office clients, it also provides services to individuals and corporations.
Best Buy Co., Inc. (612-291-1000) is planning to open a 27,530 sq.ft. Best Buy store on Frederica Street in Owensboro, KY this spring. The space was formerly occupied by Toys “R” Us. The company currently operates a chain of approximately 932 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada offering a wide variety of electronic gadgets, movies, music, computers and appliances. In addition to selling products, the stores offer installation and maintenance services, technical support, and subscriptions for cellphone and Internet services. Covering an average of more than 42,000 sq. ft., the big box stores are located throughout 48 states and five provinces. Best Buy also operates 20 Magnolia Audio Video stores in the U.S. and more than 100 Future Shop locations throughout Canada.
Applebee’s International, Inc. (913-967-4000) is planning to open an Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant in Houghton, MI this year. Applebee’s International operates approximately 1,817 of its signature Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations throughout 49 states and in 15 other countries. Its eateries are primarily freestanding units, some are located in shopping areas, and sport interiors with local memorabilia to give each location an indigenous feel. The menu features beef, chicken, and pork items, as well as burgers, pasta and seafood. The company owns and operates about 25% of its restaurants; the rest are franchised.
Trader Joe’s Co., Inc. (626-599-3700) is planning to open two Trader Joe’s stores in the Atlanta, GA area, including a location in the Buckhead section and in East Cobb. Overall, the company is looking to open as many as 10 to 12 stores throughout metro Atlanta. The company currently operates approximately 250 stores throughout 19 mostly western and East Coast states. The company offers upscale grocery fare such as health foods, organic produce and nutritional supplements. To keep costs down, its stores have no service departments and average about 10,000 sq. ft. The company’s specialty is its line of more than 2,000 private-label products, including beverages, soup, snacks and frozen items.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, Inc. (503-226-3440) is planning to open a total of eight McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants this year. The company owns and operates about 60 upscale casual-dining restaurants that offer fish and other seafood dishes from its approximately 90-dish menu. Located throughout 25 U.S. states, the restaurants operate primarily under the McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant brand, while other locations carry such names as M&S Grill, McCormick’s Fish House & Bar and Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto. Each restaurant offers a full-service bar and regionally distinct menu items.
Golf Galaxy, Inc. (952-941-8848) is planning to open 11 Golf Galaxy stores this spring. The first four stores will open in Pittsburgh, PA; Paramus, NJ; Skokie, IL and The Woodlands, TX. Throughout the entire year, the company is looking to open as many as 16 locations. The company currently operates approximately 50 golf superstores throughout 23 states. Its stores, which average around 17,000 sq. ft., offer equipment, apparel and shoes, gifts, accessories, and books and videos. Golf Galaxy also sells pre-owned clubs and has a trade-in program. In-store amenities include computer video swing analysis, on-site certified club technicians, indoor driving bays, full-sized putting greens, and advice on equipment from a staff made up of PGA and LPGA professionals. Golf Galaxy also operates a Web site (golfgalaxy.com) for virtual shoppers.
El Pollo Loco (973-265-8605) is looking to open between 40 to 50 restaurants during 2007. The company is looking to expand throughout major cites nationwide and are planning to do master franchisee and corporate deals. The company currently operates 330 restaurants throughout the West Coast and Southwest. The restaurants occupy spaces of 2,200 sq.ft. to 3,100 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and endcaps with a drive-thru. Preferred demographics include a population of 50,000 within two miles and an average daily traffic count of 50,000 vehicles.
Back Yard Burgers, Inc. (901-367-0888) is planning to open two company-operated Back Yard Burgers restaurants and 25 franchised locations this year. The company currently operates and franchises more than 171 of its signature fast food restaurants throughout approximately 20 southern and midwestern states. The eateries are known for their made-to-order charbroiled hamburgers from 100% Black Angus beef. Back Yard Burgers’ menu also includes chicken sandwiches, chili, milkshakes, salads and cobbler. Most of the company’s restaurants offer both dine-in and drive-thru service. Franchisees own and operate more than two-thirds of Back Yard Burgers’ locations.
Tommy Hilfiger USA (212-840-8888) is planning to open approximately 29 Tommy Hilfiger stores during fiscal 2006, including four H Hilfiger stores, as well as specialty stores throughout various European markets. Overall, the company currently operates 223 stores, including 169 company stores and 54 specialty stores. The company’s brands include Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld and it offers a broad array of related apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance and home furnishings.
JCPenney Co., Inc. (972-431-1000) is planning to open a 100,000 sq.ft. JCPenney store at Green Oak Village Place, a center located at the intersection of U.S. 23 and Lee Road in Ann Arbor, MI. The company currently operates over 1,000 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Damon’s International, Inc. (614-442-7900) is planning to open campus locations this year. Damon’s International operates and franchises more than 150 Damon’s Grill casual-dining restaurants throughout 24 states, mostly in and around the Great Lakes area. Its eateries feature grilled steaks, ribs, chicken, and seafood, as well as appetizers.
Gap, Inc. (650-952-4400) is planning to expand its Gap and Banana Republic brands into two southeast Asian markets. One of Gap, Inc.’s subsidiaries has signed agreements with wholly owned subsidiaries of FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltd. to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores throughout Singapore and Malaysia. The company is planning to open approximately 30 stores throughout Singapore and Malaysia by 2010, opening the first Gap location this Fall and the first Banana Republic store next year. Gap operates approximately 3,000 stores worldwide. |