Fondue restaurant chain The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. has retained commercial real estate advisory firm Newmark Grubb Knight Frank to provide real estate solutions to support the brand’s long-term domestic and international expansion strategy. “Our new alliance with Newmark Grubb…

Morristown, New Jersey-based Villa Enterprises will introduce the new prototype for its South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries brand when it opens a 700 square foot unit in the new Simon Gloucester Premium Outlets at Gloucester Township in New Jersey in mid-August.…

Pulia Cafe is an Italian deli concept with locations in Milan, Venice, Torino and Florence in Italy and in London in England.  The units specialize in produces and dishes from the Puglia region in Southern Italy. The menu includes such…

Danish coffee and juice bar Joe & the Juice will be opening its first North American location in a recently signed street location in the former D&D Deli location at 67 Spring St. in New York’s SoHo area. Situated between…

Grabbagreen, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based quick service organic food and juice chain, has reached a 34-unit development agreement with Trindel Investments that will see the chain enter the Eastern U.S. market. The new franchise partner is sourcing sites now and expects…

Atlanta, Georgia-based GPS Hospitality has acquired 60 Burger King franchises in Michigan which brings it to 196 franchise locations across the United States. Purchased from TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants, the restaurants are located across the Lower Peninsula and include areas…

Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, has introduced its new brand identity, Garbanzo Fresh Mediterranean, emphasizing the food and culture found in Garbanzo locations across the country.“The new brand is one aspect of a larger strategic plan to modernize Garbanzo,”…

Last week, Spanish quick casual chain, 100 Montaditos opened its latest restaurant in the United States in Miami Lakes, Florida.  The 1300 square foot location, which includes a 490 square foot patio and seating for about 50 guests, is in…

Last week, New York-based gourmet burger chain 5 Napkin Burger opened its latest restaurant, a 5500 square foot location at the Ridge Hill Mall lifestyle project in Yonkers in New York’s Westchester County. It is the chain’s fourth unit in…

Focusing on the real estate aspects of the restaurant business, we sometimes get caught up in the ‘mechanics’ and forget about the ‘sizzle’. This is seldom more apparent than when you’re making ‘small talk’ at some non-business function, like a…