Tampa, Fla. — Anna Schmidt Interior Design has been selected for work on Free the Cork Wine Bar, a wine tasting and small plates restaurant coming to Sparkman Wharf, Tampa’s transformational Water Street Tampa neighborhood. Free the Cork Wine Bar, scheduled to open spring 2020, is the new hotspot for Sparkman Wharf’s office tenants, visitors and the Tampa community as a whole. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of Sparkman Wharf. Overlooking views of a scenic park and dining garden, it will serve as a place for friends …
restaurants
Jacksonville, Fla. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. has acquired Maple Street Biscuit Co. for $36 million in an all-cash deal. Maple Street’s portfolio comprised 28 company-owned and five franchise-owned restaurants in seven states at the time of sale. The company plans to convert its Holler & Dash Biscuit House into Maple Street Biscuit locations. Scott Moore and Gus Johnson founded Maple Street in Jacksonville in 2012. Moore will stay on as CEO and will report to Sandra Cochran, president and CEO of Cracker Barrel.
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe concept, has awarded 64 franchise agreements in the third quarter. The brand plans to sign 200 franchise agreements, open 130 cafes and grow same-store sales by 5 percent in 2019. Year-to-date, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened 90 cafes and awarded 179 franchise agreements. Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees have signed multi-unit agreements for a number of markets across the country, including Chicago; Tampa, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; and New Haven, Conn. “Our focus on operational execution and delivering a remarkable …
Chicago — Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to open shops in Macy’s department stores, adding to the fast-casual brand’s significant multi-unit franchise growth in 2019. “This franchise agreement marks a major milestone in our multi-unit franchise growth,” says Peter Ortiz, vice president of franchise development at Potbelly. “A development deal with one of the nation’s premier retailers is a testament to our focus and prioritization of our franchising initiative. We’re thrilled for what’s in store for the future with Macy’s.” The …
Miami — As the redevelopment of CocoWalk continues to advance, a new confectionery concept with a celebrity following has signed a lease in anticipation of the lifestyle center’s phased reopening, slated to begin in spring 2020. Salt & Straw, the West Coast’s most flavor-provoking ice cream brand, has chosen Coconut Grove and Wynwood for its East Coast debut. The redevelopment of CocoWalk taking place in the heart of the Grove’s commercial district is being led by Federal Realty Investment Trust and partners The Comras Company and Grass River Property, who …
Atlanta — On September 9, 2019, Velvet Taco opened its first Atlanta restaurant in Buckhead. The 2,500-square-foot establishment is situated at 77 W. Paces Ferry Rd. within a Whole Foods Market-anchored shopping center. The late-night joint (most locations stay open until 2 a.m.) offers a variety of chicken, beef, pork, fish and vegetarian tacos as well as brunch options. Velvet Taco expects to open a second Atlanta location next year at the Interlock development in West Midtown, according to local media. Based in Dallas, the brand also operates restaurants in …
Jackson, Miss. — Newk’s Eatery has reopened all seven locations in its home market of Jackson, Miss., with a new restaurant prototype inspired by the brand’s ‘Project Strive’ initiative. At the milestone of 15 years since the first unit opened in Oxford, Miss., the brand took pause to seek feedback from guests on what’s important to them. “The purpose of Project Strive is to build from what our guests love about Newk’s and evolve the brand to be more aligned to their lifestyles. It stems from our brand mission to …
— By Rusty Amarante — The future looks bright for service-based franchises. Providing specialized and on-demand services, service-based businesses currently represent a large portion of the franchise establishments in the United States. For almost a decade, service-based franchises have been on the rise because of the nation’s high demand for services that require technical skills and expertise, and those that cater towards commercial and residential upkeep are most prevalent. To maintain the proper safety standards that these properties are expected to meet, the expert teams that provide maintenance services …
The Cheesecake Factory Completes Acquisitions of North Italia and Fox Restaurant Concepts
by Katie Lee
Calabasas Hills, Calif. — As previously announced in August, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated has closed the acquisitions of North Italia and Fox Restaurant Concepts (FRC), including Flower Child, for $308 million. The company previously invested $88 million in the North Italia and Flower Child concepts over the last 3 years in anticipation of their purchase. North Italia turns a modern lens on Italian cooking in the upscale, casual-dining segment. All dishes are handmade from scratch daily. The concept currently has 21 locations in 10 states and Washington, D.C. North Italia’s …
Houston — Plano, Texas-based MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a fast-casual, “better burger” chain, is planning to add 26 locations across greater Houston by 2021. It is specifically scouting out real estate in Galveston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Spring, Conroe, Baytown, Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, Sugarland, Richmond, Rosenburg, League City, Deer Park, Bellaire, Greatwood, Katy and Tomball, Texas. “We are laser focused on expanding our presence across our home state of Texas,” says Tony Darden, COO and president of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. “This is where we are born and bred. …