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Who's Oppening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where Regis Corp. (952-947-7777) is planning to open as many as 100 stores this year with its newly-acquired Sally Beauty chain. The company is the world’s largest operator of hair salons, with approximately 10,900 owned or franchised salons, primarily in the U.S., about 25 beauty schools, and 90 hair loss centers. Formats range from mall-based to Wal*Mart-based. Names include Regis Salons, Trade Secret and Cost Cutters. Regis also runs a variety of store formats in strip centers, including some 2,000 Supercuts and nearly 1,500 SmartStyle salons at Wal-Mart Supercenters. It has more than 2,000 locations in France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Taco Del Mar Franchising Corp. (206-624-7060) is planning to open franchised Taco Del Mar restaurants throughout MN, ND and western WI. The company plans to open 150 restaurants during the coming 10 years throughout the area, with the initial focus on Fargo, ND and the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN areas. Taco Del Mar Franchising operates a chain of approximately 170 quick-service Mexican restaurants throughout more than 10 western states, AK and Canada. The fresh-Mex eateries specialize in tacos and burritos. The company will open about 20 new units in western Canada, co-branded with Mac’s Convenience Stores. Expansion is also taking place on the East Coast.
Cabela’s, Inc. (308-254-5505) is looking to open a Cabela’s store in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The company expects to open a retail showroom as early as late fall of 2007 or spring of 2008. The large-format store, which will be located at Lac Mirabel, a 14 million sq.ft. mixed-use project, would be the company’s first store outside the U.S. The center also will include man-made lakes, a sports complex, a 100,000 sq.ft. Caldea Therapeutic Spa from Andorra in Europe, a 70,000 sq.ft. Kid Tropolis educational indoor city for children, a 140,000 sq.ft. Montreal Aquarium, hotel facilities, a conference center and additional entertainment and shopping. Cabela’s currently operates 14 locations throughout the U.S. and plans to open stores in Boise, ID; La Vista, NE; Gonzales, LA; Glendale, AZ; Richfield, WI and Hazelwood, MO this year; and in Reno, NV; Wheat Ridge, CO; East Rutherford, NJ; East Hartford, CT and Hoffman Estates, IL in 2007. The stores are as large as 250,000 sq.ft. and include such features as waterfalls, mountain replicas, aquariums and banquet and meeting facilities. Cabela’s sells footwear, clothing, and gear for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities. The company also sells merchandise online.
IKEA (610-834-0180) is planning to open a 252,000 sq.ft. IKEA store at the intersection of Interstate 35 and University Boulevard in Round Rock, TX. Opening is slated for the spring of 2007. The building will be situated on a land area of 21.5 acres. The store will feature 50 room settings, four complete homes, a supervised children’s play area and a 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties. Other features include a Children’s IKEA area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. The company also is planning to open a store at a former shipyard location in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, NY. This will be the first store to be opened by IKEA in the metro New York, NY market. The company recently received approvals to build a three-story, 346,000 sq.ft. mega store on the property. It will be IKEA’s largest store in America. The company also is planning to open a store in Canton Township, MI. Opening is slated for summer. The store will be the company’s 28th in the U.S. and fourth in the upper Midwest, joining stores in Schaumberg, IL; Bloomington, MN and Bolingbrook, IL. IKEA currently operates 225 stores throughout 33 countries. Other stores slated to open in the U.S. this year include locations in Atlanta, GA; Dublin and West Sacramento, CA; Frisco, TX; and Somerville and Stoughton, MA.
Hudson’s Bay Co. (416-861-6112) is planning to open more locations throughout Canada this year. The company’s Zellers chain is Canada’s second largest discount department store, behind Wal*Mart Canada, with nearly 300 stores. HBC also runs nearly 100 The Bay department stores, more than 100 smaller Fields general merchandise and apparel stores in western Canada, 45 Home Outfitters superstores, and Hbc.com, an e-commerce site.
Wal*Mart Stores, Inc. (479-273-4000) is planning to open locations throughout India. Throughout the U.S., the company is planning to open between 550 to 600 Wal*Mart stores during the coming fiscal year, including 270 to 280 Wal*Mart Supercenter locations and 220 to 230 international retail outlets. The company also is moving towards opening retail banking units in its stores. Wal*Mart also is planning to open 15 to 20 Neighborhood Market locations and 30 to 40 Sam’s Club warehouse stores. The company currently operates more than 5,700 stores, including some 1,350 Wal*Mart stores, nearly 2,000 Wal*Mart Supercenter locations in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and 550 Sam’s Club stores. Nearly 75% of its stores are in the U.S., but Wal*Mart is expanding internationally; it is the top retailer in Canada and Mexico. It owns 42% of Japanese supermarket chain SEIYU. Wal-Mart also has operations in Asia, Europe and South America.
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (704-847-6961) is planning to open as many as 400 Family Dollar stores during fiscal 2006. The company currently operates approximately 5,900 stores throughout 44 states and Washington, DC. The stores sell food, health and beauty aids, housewares, and toys, as well as apparel, shoes and linens.
Brinker International, Inc. (972-980-9917) is planning to open a Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurant on California Oaks Road in Murrieta, GA. Chili’s operates more than 1,000 locations nationwide. The restaurants offer southwestern-style dishes, such as fajitas, margarita grilled chicken, and its popular baby back ribs. In addition to Chili’s, Brinker operates the Italian-themed Romano’s Macaroni Grill and On The Border, the largest casual Mexican restaurant in the U.S. with 142 locations throughout 32 states. Its smaller chains include Maggiano’s Little Italy and 43% owned Rockfish Seafood Grill.
Brooks Brothers (212-682-8800) is planning to open a 6,500 sq.ft. Brooks Brothers 346 store at Eastern Hills Mall in Buffalo, NY. The new concept will provide product “to go,” such as coat sleeves and trouser bottoms that are pre-finished, providing customers with Brooks Brothers tailored clothing. The new store will also offer both men’s and women’s sportswear. Brooks Brothers specializes in men’s suits and outerwear. The company also sells women’s apparel. Brooks Brothers operates approximately 180 upscale retail stores and outlet locations throughout the U.S. Through partnerships abroad, Brooks Brothers has another 100 stores in Asia, including China and Japan, and Italy.
Tractor Supply Co. (615-366-4600) is planning to open a 24,727 sq.ft. store just south of Route 7 in New Milford, CT. Overall, the company is looking to open approximately 76 Tractor Supply Co. stores this year. The company currently operates 550 stores throughout 34 states and British Columbia, Canada. Tractor Supply Co. supplies tractor parts, and offers farm supplies, including its own private labels, such as fencing, animal feeds and medicines, garden products, riding mowers and work clothes. The company concentrates its stores in rural areas and near large cities to cater to full- and part-time farmers and ranchers and contractors.
Kohl’s Corp. (262-703-7000) is planning to open a store at the intersection of U.S. 223 and Treat Highway in Madison Township, MI. Overall, the company is planning to open the balance of its planned 80 to 85 Kohl’s stores during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The company also is planning to make its initial entry into WA with stores in the Seattle market and will continue its expansion into FL. Kohl’s currently operates 732-plus discount department stores throughout approximately 41 states. The company offers moderately priced name-brand and private-label apparel, shoes, accessories, and housewares. Wireless Zone (443-243-0549) is planning to open as many as 80 locations throughout CT, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT and Washington, DC during the coming 18 months. The stores occupy spaces of 800 sq.ft. to 1,600 sq.ft. in power, strip and lifestyle centers and freestanding locations. The company currently operates 268 locations. Competition is cited as Cingular, MetroPCS, Radio Shack, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint/Nextel. Typical leases run five years with options. Preferred demographics include a population of 20,000 within three to five miles earning $40,000 as the average household income.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (407-245-4000) is planning to open a Red Lobster restaurant at Winchester Station Shopping Center, a 183,000 sq.ft. center located on Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester, VA. The company also is planning to open an Olive Garden restaurant at The Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville, MD, as well as a Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill in Woodbridge, VA. An Olive Garden also is expected to open a 6,100 sq.ft. location in Decatur, IL at the intersection of Mound Road and U.S. 51. With more than 1,300 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Darden is the leading operator of casual-dining restaurants, including flagships Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Red Lobster operates approximately 680 units, while Olive Garden leads the Italian-dining segment with about 560 restaurants. Both chains cater to families with mid-priced menu items, themed interiors, and primarily suburban locations. Darden also operates a small chain of tropical-themed Bahama Breeze restaurants that offer Caribbean-inspired food, along with Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, a growing chain of barbeque eateries.
Menard, Inc. (715-876-5911) is planning to open a 160,000 sq.ft. Menards home improvement store on U.S. 6, between Harbor Olds and Portage High School, in Portage, IN. The store would include an outdoor garden center, lumber storage area and gatehouse. The third-largest home improvement chain in the U.S., Menard operates approximately 210 stores throughout IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD and WI. The stores sell home improvement products, such as floor coverings, hardware, millwork, paint, and tools. Unlike competitors, all the company’s stores have full-service lumberyards.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (425-313-8100) is planning to open a 159,000 sq.ft. Costco store at the Airport Gateway Commercial Park located adjacent to Highway 6, just east of Eagle County Airport, in Gypsum, CO. The company currently operates approximately 470 membership warehouse stores throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, primarily under the Costco Wholesale name. Stores offer discount prices on about 4,000 products, ranging from alcoholic beverages and appliances to fresh food, pharmaceuticals and tires. Certain club memberships also offer products and services such as car and home insurance, mortgage and real estate services, and travel packages.
The Cato Corp. (704-554-8510) is planning to open as many as 90 Cato stores this year. The company currently operates more than 1,244 women’s apparel specialty stores under the names Cato, Cato Plus, It’s Fashion! and Cato Fashions. Its mostly private-label merchandise includes misses’, juniors’, and plus-sized sportswear, career wear, coats, hosiery, shoes, and accessories priced for low- to middle-income female customers. Cato’s stores are currently located mainly in small-town strip centers throughout 29 states, primarily in the Southeast.
Wawa, Inc. (610-358-8000) is planning to open a 5,740 sq.ft. Super Wawa at the intersection of Main Road and Landis Avenue in Vineland, NJ. The store would include an eight-pump gas station. Wawa currently operates approximately 550 Wawa Food Markets in DE, MD, NJ, PA and VA. Wawa stores are noted for their coffee and their salad and deli offerings, including hoagie sandwiches; more than 150 stores sell gas. Wawa has its own dairy, supplying Wawa stores and about 1,000 hospitals, schools, and other institutions.
Jack in the Box, Inc. (858-571-2121) is planning to open Jack In The Box restaurants this year. The company operates and franchises more than 2,050 of its flagship hamburger outlets throughout 17 states, primarily in southern and western U.S. Jack in the Box offers standard fast-food fare. More than 1,500 locations are company-owned and the rest are franchised. In addition to its mainstay burger business, Jack in the Box runs a chain of some 250 Qdoba Mexican Grill fast-casual eateries.
Target Corp. (612-304-6073) is planning to open a Target store at PrattCenter, a 400,000 sq.ft. center located in Prattville, AL. The company currently operates approximately 1,400 Target and SuperTarget stores throughout 47 states.
Nordstrom, Inc. (206-628-2111) is planning to open a Nordstrom store at Ross Park Mall in North Hills, PA. Opening is slated for 2008 to occupy the space now tenanted by Macy’s. Nordstrom sells clothes, shoes and accessories through approximately 100 Nordstrom stores and about 50 Nordstrom Rack stores throughout 27 states. It also operates a clearance store, a freestanding shoe store, and about 35 Faconnable boutiques, primarily in Europe, and it sells goods online and through catalogs.
GameStop Corp. (817-424-2000) is planning to open approximately 400 GameStop stores this year. The company sells new and used games, hardware, entertainment software, and accessories through nearly 3,600 stores in Guam, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and in nearly every state in the U.S. A majority of sales come from new and used video games; stores carry an average of 1,000 new titles and 4,000 used ones.
OfficeMax, Inc. (630-438-7800) is planning to open nine OfficeMax stores throughout the greater Minneapolis, MN area, as well as in other parts of MN. All of the stores are expected to be operational by early 2008. The stores will offer a new design, which provides a colorful and more inviting environment where professionals can shop, check email, print documents and drink coffee. Locations are slated to open in Lakeville, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Medina, Savage, Red Wing, Owatonna and Monticello. The company currently operates more than 900 superstores throughout the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The stores offer about 8,000 brandname and OfficeMax-branded products, as well as office furniture and a wide range of technology products.
Max & Erma’s Restaurants, Inc. (614-431-5800) is planning to open one or two company-owned locations this year, including a location in Springboro, OH. The company also is expecting to open five franchised restaurants this year. The company currently owns and operates 78 casual dining, full-service restaurants in Akron, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Niles and Toledo, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI; Pittsburgh and Erie, PA; Lexington, Louisville and Crestview Hills, KY; Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA. The company also currently franchises 22 restaurants in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Wilmington, Chillicothe, Dayton and Sandusky, OH; St. Louis, MO; Green Bay, WI; Philadelphia, PA; Edinburgh, Evansville, Seymour and Mishawaka, IN and Richmond, VA. A company-owned restaurant is currently under construction in Huntington, WV. The company’s restaurants are typically freestanding locations with each sporting a collection of local memorabilia. Known for its gourmet hamburgers and bathtub sized sundae bar, the chain serves a variety of moderately priced items.
Best Buy Co., Inc. (612-291-1000) is planning to add its Magnolia Home Theater store-within-a-store experience to approximately 200 stores and elements of Best Buy For Business to at least 120 stores during fiscal 2007. The company also is planning to open nearly 90 Best Buy stores this year. Best Buy operates a chain of about 742 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 in 48 states and five provinces. Best Buy also operates 20 Magnolia Audio Video stores in the US and more than 105 Future Shop locations in Canada.
The Stride Rite Corp. (617-824-6000) is planning to open 33 Stride Rite Children’s stores this year. A designer and marketer of footwear for children and adults, the company’s product lines include boots, dress shoes, sandals, and sneakers in a variety of styles. Its brand names include Baby Smart, Grasshoppers, Keds, Munchkin, PRO-Keds, Sperry, Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite, and Tommy Hilfiger. The company’s primary business is wholesale to department stores and other retailers, but it also sells footwear through approximately 195 company-owned stores, two company Web sites, leased departments in department stores, and more than 60 manufacturer outlets.
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (865-379-5700) is planning to open approximately 10 to 12 company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants and 10 to 12 franchised locations this year. Overall, the company is looking to open up to 57 company units and 35 franchised sites. The company operates and franchises approximately 800 casual-dining restaurants throughout the U.S. and internationally. The full-service eateries offer a varied selection of American and ethnic menu items, including fajitas, pasta, ribs, seafood, and steak. Other items include appetizers, burgers, and desserts. More than 575 Ruby Tuesday locations are company-owned; most of its franchised units are jointly-owned partnerships in which Ruby Tuesday has a minority stake. The company also has a small but growing number of international franchises.
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. 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.
Church’s Chicken (770-350-3800) is planning to open more locations throughout the Atlanta, GA area. The company currently operates and franchises more than 1,500 restaurants worldwide. In addition to fried chicken, Church’s menu includes Southern favorites such as fried okra and honey-butter biscuits.
Villa Enterprises Management (973-285-4800) is planning to open seven Villa restaurants in four travel plazas along the New York Thruway in the western region of NY. The restaurants are slated to open later this year. Villa Enterprises and its affiliates operate over 300 restaurants throughout 38 states and six countries with approximately 60% of the locations being corporately managed. In addition to Villa and Cozzoli’s Pizza, the company operates Casa Java and the Everything Yogurt Brands, which include Green Leaf’s, Bananas and South Philly Steaks & Fries.
Conn’s, Inc. (409-832-1696) is planning to open approximately eight Conn’s stores this year. The company sells appliances and consumer electronics at 56 stores throughout LA and TX. Conn’s also offers home office equipment, lawn and garden products, and other home products such as bedding. Barnes & Noble, Inc. (212-633-3300) is planning to open a Barnes & Noble bookstore on Silverdale Way Northwest in Silverdale, WA. Opening is slated for November 2006. Barnes & Noble, Inc. currently operates approximately 665 Barnes & Noble superstores throughout 49 states and Washington, DC. It also owns about 155 mostly mall-based B. Dalton bookstores.
Solstice Marketing Concepts, LLC (646-348-6100) is planning to open approximately 130 Solstice stores by 2008. The company will begin implementing its growth strategy by opening 30 Solstice Sunglass Boutique sunwear specialty stores throughout 14 states this year. The retailer also plans to open its third off-price outlet store this year in Gilroy, CA. The upscale sunglass retailer currently operates 52 full price retail stores nationwide. The stores occupy spaces of 800 sq.ft. to 1,200 sq.ft. The new stores are slated to open in Thousand Oaks, San Francisco, Chula Vista, San Francisco Valley, Pleasantation and Sacramento, CA; Milford, CT; Bonita Springs, Altamonte, Jacksonville and Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA; Montgomery, MD; Boston and Holyoke, MA; St. Louis, MO; Cherry Hill and Rockaway, NJ; Lake Grove, Buffalo, Jamaica and Albany, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Providence, RI; Austin, TX and Seattle, WA. Publix Super Markets, Inc. (863-688-1188) is planning to open Publix Sabor stores and Publix GreenWise stores throughout southern FL. Publix Sabor caters to a Hispanic clientele, while Publix GreenWise offers natural and organic foods. Publix Super operates more than 875 stores throughout AL, FL, GA, SC and TN. The company also operates five “Pix” convenience stores throughout FL.
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. (908-688-0888) is planning to open a 24,000 sq.ft. Bed Bath & Beyond store at Golden East Crossing, a center located in Rocky Mount, NC. Opening is slated for early summer. Bed Bath & Beyond currently operates approximately 750 stores throughout 44 states and Puerto Rico.
Tiffany & Co. (212-755-8000) is planning to open four Tiffany stores throughout the U.S. and seven locations internationally. The company specializes is fine jewelry, but it also sells timepieces, silver, china, stationery, crystal, and other luxury items. Some products are packaged in the company’s trademarked Tiffany Blue Box. Tiffany has also broadened its merchandise mix to include key chains and porcelain mugs that sell for less than $50.
The Wet Seal, Inc. (949-699-3900) is planning to open between 20 to 25 Wet Seal stores during the fiscal year. The company currently operates approximately 400 shops throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico that sell moderately priced casual clothing and accessories. Most of the 308 Wet Seal stores are mall-based and appeal to junior women. The retailer’s more upscale Arden B. chain operates about 92 stores that target women ages 18-40. About 25% of the company’s stores are in CA, FL and TX. The Fresh Market, Inc. (336-272-1338) is planning to open a 25,000 sq.ft. Fresh Market store at Sycamore Plaza, a center located on Montgomery Road in Cincinnati, OH. The Fresh Market operates approximately 60 full-service upscale specialty supermarkets throughout 10 U.S. states. The company specializes in perishables goods, including fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood. The chain plans to open eight to 10 stores per year. The company also is planning to open a 20,000 sq.ft. Fresh Market store at Quarry Lake, a 230-acre mixed-use center located just off Beltway 22 on Greenspring Avenue in Baltimore County, MD. The company is currently looking to expand throughout northern VA; Washington, DC and the suburban MD region.
CBRL Group, Inc. (615-444-5533) is planning to open a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant off Winstead Avenue in Rocky Mount, NC. The company operates more than 530 Cracker Barrel restaurants throughout approximately 40 states, which are known for their country kitsch, rustic decor and down-home cooking. The eateries offer mostly standard American fare, such as chicken, ham, and roast beef dishes; the restaurants are also popular breakfast spots. Each Cracker Barrel location features a retail area where patrons can buy hand-blown glassware, cast iron cookware, and woodcrafts, as well as jellies and old-fashioned candies. CBRL also owns about 60 and franchises about another 60 Logan’s Roadhouse restaurants throughout about 20 states.
Kona Grill, Inc. (480-922-8100) is planning to open five Kona Grill restaurants this year. The company currently operates locations in Scottsdale and Chandler, AZ; Denver, CO; Carmel, IN; Kansas City, MO; Omaha, NE; Las Vegas, NV; and Houston and San Antonio, TX. The restaurants serve a diverse selection of mainstream American dishes, as well as a variety of appetizers and entrees with an international influence. Each restaurant also features a full-service bar, sushi, and a 2,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. (310-536-0611) is planning to open approximately 20 Big 5 Sporting Goods stores during fiscal 2006. The company, which started out with five army surplus shops in 1955, is now a leading sporting goods retailer with approximately 325 stores throughout AZ, CA, WA and seven other western states. The company sells brand-name equipment and clothing for indoor and outdoor activities including camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, snowboarding, and more. Big 5 has stuck with a neighborhood-store format rather than opening large superstores. The company plans to add about 15 stores per year.
Kirkland’s, Inc. (731-668-2444) is planning to open 60 Kirkland’s stores during fiscal 2006, while closing 30 locations. The company currently operates approximately 335 stores throughout 37 states, which stock decorative home accessories and gifts, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, artificial flowers, rugs, garden accessories, and coffee-table books. Kirkland’s also offers holiday items during Christmas and Easter.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. (724-273-3400) is planning to open 40 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores, while relocating two stores, this year. Dick’s Sporting Goods operates some 255 stores throughout 34 states, following the acquisition of rival Galyan’s in mid-2004. The stores, which are located primarily throughout the eastern U.S., contain on average five smaller stores-within-a-store featuring sporting goods, apparel, and footwear for leisure pursuits ranging from football, golf, and cycling, to hunting and camping. Dick’s also sells merchandise online. Besides brands like NIKE and adidas, Dick’s carries Ativa, Walter Hagen, and others exclusive to the company.
Culver Franchising System, Inc. (608-643-7980) is planning to open a Culver’s Restaurant at the intersection of United Drive and Illinois 157 in Belleville, IL. Culver Franchising System operates a chain of more than 300 Culver’s quick-service restaurants, popular for its signature ButterBurgers (hamburgers served on a grilled buttered bun) and frozen custard. The menu also includes chicken, fish, and pork sandwiches, salads, and dinner items such as shrimp and Norwegian Cod. The chain is in more than 15 states, mostly in the upper Midwest. Nearly all of the restaurants are operated by franchisees.
Christopher & Banks Corp. (763-551-5000) is planning to open approximately 85 to 100 stores in 2007. The openings will include 35 to 40 Christopher & Banks stores; 40 to 45 C.J. Banks stores and up to 15 Acorn stores. Approximately 35 stores are planned to open in the second and third quarters. Christopher & Banks sells moderately priced private-label women’s fashions throughout approximately 705 stores in 45 states. Sportswear accounts for two-thirds of sales; the rest comes from sweaters and accessories. Its C.J. Banks stores offer specialty apparel in sizes 14W and up. The chains cater to working women 40 to 60 of age. In 2004 the company purchased the upscale women’s fashion 21-store Acorn chain from womenswear retailer Gilmore Brothers Inc.
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (626-799-9898) is planning to open a 2,448 sq.ft. Panda Express restaurant in western Eugene, OR later this year at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Seneca Street. The company operates Panda Express, the largest chain of Chinese restaurants in the U.S., with more than 680 locations throughout approximately 35 states. The chain offers quick-service Chinese food primarily in high-traffic locations, including malls, airports, and sporting arenas. It also runs more than a dozen mall-based Hibachi-San outlets that offer a quick-service Japanese grill menu. The company also operates a handful of Panda Inn branded units throughout CA.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (303-595-4000) is planning to open approximately 80 to 90 Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants this year. Chipotle Mexican Grill operates approximately 500 quick-service Mexican eateries throughout 21 states. Customers can build a burrito or taco from a lineup that includes chicken, steak, barbecue or free-range pork, as well as beans, rice, guacamole, and various other veggies and salsas. It also serves chips and salsa, beer, and margaritas.
Cosi, Inc. (847-597-8800) is planning to open company-owned Cosi locations, as well as 20 franchised restaurants. The company owns and operates more than 94 eclectic Cosí cafés throughout approximately 20 states offering premium and specialty coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. Its menu also features breakfast items, salads, soups, and desserts. Most of its restaurants also offer dinner and drinks after 5 p.m., while its Cosí Downtown units, which are primarily located in non-residential business districts, close in the evening. Cosi also offers delivery and catering services and operates a handful of coffee kiosks in Macy’s department stores.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc. (407-236-0556) is planning to open 11 to 15 restaurants this year, including six to eight company-owned and five to seven franchised locations. The company is the nation’s largest chain of high-end steak houses in terms of number of restaurants. Its 90 company-owned and franchised restaurants are located in approximately 30 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico and Taiwan. The menu features steak dinners, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list.
Starbucks Corp. (206-447-1575) is planning to open approximately 1,800 Starbucks stores on a global basis in fiscal 2006. Throughout the U.S., Starbucks plans to open approximately 700 company-operated locations and 600 licensed locations. In international markets, the company plans to open approximately 150 company-operated stores and 350 licensed stores. Starbucks operates and licenses more than 8,500 coffee shops throughout more than 30 countries. The shops offer coffee drinks and food items, as well as beans, coffee accessories, teas and CDs. Starbucks operates more than 5,200 of its shops throughout five countries, mostly in the US, while licensees operate more than 2,800 units, primarily in shopping centers and airports. The company also owns and franchises the Seattle’s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia chains in the U.S. with more than 100 shops. In addition, Starbucks markets its coffee through grocery stores and licenses its brand for other food and beverage products.
Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. (314-621-0699) is planning to open 30 stores and remodel 25 locations this year. The mall-based vendor of women’s shoes and accessories operates approximately 220 stores throughout 36 states, with nearly 30 stores doing business under the Wild Pair banner. Bakers Footwear sells dress, casual, and sport shoes, as well as boots, sandals, and accessories, targeting women ages 12 to 29. Private labels account for the majority of company sales.
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (303-440-5220) has signed 16 leases or letters of intent for store openings for this year and next year. Plans call for 10 openings this year. Wild Oats Markets operates approximately 113 full-service stores throughout 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. Its stores provide natural, organic, and traditional grocery items, as well as environmentally-friendly household products. The stores operate under the Capers Community Market, Henry’s Farmers Markets, Sun Harvest Farms and the Wild Oats Natural Marketplace names. It also has bakeries, coffee and juice bars, and massage therapists in most stores.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. (215-245-9100) is planning to open approximately 155 to 160 stores in fiscal 2007, including the opening of approximately 75 to 80 outlet stores. Charming Shoppes currently operates approximately 2,236 stores throughout 48 U.S. states. The sites include 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 approximately 720 Lane Bryant stores. Nationwide, 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.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (614-283-6500) is planning to open 64 Hollister Co. stores, 19 abercrombie stores, 12 Abercrombie & Fitch stores and eight RUEHL stores. Abercrombie & Fitch sells upscale men’s, women’s, and kids casual clothes and accessories. A&F has approximately 790 U.S. stores, mostly in malls, and also sells from its catalog and online. Its newest format, RUEHL, is a Greenwich Village-inspired concept for the post-collegiate set.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. (602-957-8986) is planning to open a 7,000 sq.ft. P.F. Chang’s restaurant in downtown Baltimore, MD. The company currently operates two other MD locations with sites in Columbia and North Bethesda. The company also is planning to open a Pei Wei Asian Diner location on Dobbin Center Way in Columbia, MD. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro owns and operates about 100 full-service bistro restaurants throughout approximately 30 states, offering lunch and dinner menus inspired by five culinary regions of China. The chain’s restaurants offer stylish dining areas, display kitchens, and narrative murals based on ancient Chinese designs. Specialties include Chicken in Soothing Lettuce Wrap and Szechwan-style Long Beans as well as a variety of other dishes made with chicken, beef, seafood, vegetables and noodles. The company also owns and operates limited-service Pei Wei Asian Diners.
Stage Stores, Inc. (713-667-5601) is planning to reopen stores acquired from B.C. Moore later this year. Upon the completion of the liquidation of the B.C. Moore locations, the company will open the stores as Peebles locations. The grand openings of 69 Peebles stores will occur, also in phases, between mid-July and mid-October. The company currently operates approximately 558 department stores, mainly in rural towns throughout 31 U.S. states. Through its Stage, Bealls, Palais Royal and Peebles stores, the company offers moderately priced apparel, cosmetics, gifts, and footwear. Nationally recognized brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Levi Strauss, Chaps, and Polo are sold alongside Stage Stores’ private-label merchandise.
Golf Galaxy, Inc. (952-941-8848) is planning to open as many as 16 Golf Galaxy stores during the fiscal year. The company currently operates approximately 54 golf superstores throughout 23 states. Its stores, which occupy spaces of about 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. |