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Ed Ruping/ The Chronicle

By Adam Rhodes | May 21, 2014

Some big-name brands are coming to Oviedo, and development is going full steam ahead on a BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse and a Moe's Southwest Grill/Dunkin' Donuts duplex.

The BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is set to be completed in July of this year, said David Weaver, the superintendent of the construction project. The new BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse on Mitchell Hammock Road near Target and the Oviedo Mall is also making some headway in its construction, and no known issues have arisen yet, said Scott Brooke, an engineering inspector for Seminole County.

Brooke confirmed that a site permit was given on Feb. 18 for the project and work began a week or so after that.

"It was previously a Borders Bookstore, but they razed the building and are now building on top of it," said Cynthia Sweet, a senior planner for Seminole County.

The 7,363-square-foot restaurant is expecting to seat roughly 201 patrons, Sweet said.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse serves a wide variety of foods, such as pizza, salads, pastas and burgers. BJ's also has other locations in Kissimmee, Daytona and at the Mall at Millenia.

Link:
Restaurant projects progress in Oviedo

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The rest is here:
McDonald's on Main Street plans to expand drive-through area, renovate building

With the onset of spring, the restaurant industry finally has something to cheer about after a dismal run last quarter. People are now more than willing to leave the confines of their homes and spend on dining out. Though the cautious spending mindset of consumers persists overall, the restaurant industry can breathe a sigh of relief in view of this encouraging trend. Leaving behind the woes of last year and the inclement weather in Jan and Feb 2014, the U.S. restaurant industry began the second quarter of the year on a rather positive note.

According to Black Box Intelligence and People Report, the restaurant industry reported positive same-store sales in the months of March and April, a relief from the negative comps seen since Nov 2013. Comps increased 0.7% and 0.6% in March and April, respectively, owing to improved weather.

Moreover, improving Restaurant Performance Index and the Current Situation Index reflect accelerated economic expansion and underlying strength in the industry. The strength in the U.S. restaurant industry is backed by pent-up demand from consumers to live and eat well.

Going forward, we expect the outlook for the restaurant industry to get better driven by innate fundamental strengths, reflecting an improving economic backdrop. Statistics bear out this relatively favorable environment. Restaurant-and-foodservice sales are anticipated to be $683.4 billion in 2014, up 3.6% year over year, as per the National Restaurant Association. In real terms, this will mark the fifth consecutive year of growth in restaurant sales.

However, the industry has its share of challenges, the most concerning being the rise in food costs. Food costs were up 0.4% in April, the fourth straight month of increase. Moreover, meat prices increased 8.4% in April this year. These factors indicate that inflation may be creeping up.

The overall economic environment is improving. However, the year-over-year decline in guest count remains a concern. Though up sequentially, same-store traffic for the month of April declined 1.1% year over year. As per media reports, the industry has yet to achieve an improving same-store guest count since the end of the recession.

Meanwhile, the industry is dependent on broad macroeconomic factors, with dining out being a largely discretionary activity. The economic climate largely influences restaurant choices for customers. The Consumer Confidence Index declined sequentially in Apr 2014 as consumers deemed current business and labor market conditions less favorable. Further, we believe issues related to "Obamacare," volatility in housing data and fuel prices and excess supply may continue to cast shadows on the long-term picture.

OPPORTUNITIES

Domestic and International Unit Expansion

After emerging from a lackluster economy that lasted for three years, most of the companies had stepped up their pace of restaurant openings. Not content with domestic expansion alone, the companies were looking to test waters as well as developing taste buds in foreign shores. Restaurateurs are primarily concentrating on emerging markets that provide ample opportunities for expansion.

Go here to read the rest:
Costs Taking a Bite Out of Restaurant Stocks - Zacks Analyst Interviews

With the onset of spring, the restaurant industry finally has something to cheer about after a dismal run last quarter. People are now more than willing to leave the confines of their homes and spend on dining out. Though the cautious spending mindset of consumers persists overall, the restaurant industry can breathe a sigh of relief in view of this encouraging trend. Leaving behind the woes of last year and the inclement weather in Jan and Feb 2014, the U.S. restaurant industry began the second quarter of the year on a rather positive note.

According to Black Box Intelligence and People Report, the restaurant industry reported positive same-store sales in the months of March and April, a relief from the negative comps seen since Nov 2013. Comps increased 0.7% and 0.6% in March and April, respectively, owing to improved weather.

Moreover, improving Restaurant Performance Index and the Current Situation Index reflect accelerated economic expansion and underlying strength in the industry. The strength in the U.S. restaurant industry is backed by pent-up demand from consumers to live and eat well.

Going forward, we expect the outlook for the restaurant industry to get better driven by innate fundamental strengths, reflecting an improving economic backdrop. Statistics bear out this relatively favorable environment. Restaurant-and-foodservice sales are anticipated to be $683.4 billion in 2014, up 3.6% year over year, as per the National Restaurant Association. In real terms, this will mark the fifth consecutive year of growth in restaurant sales.

However, the industry has its share of challenges, the most concerning being the rise in food costs. Food costs were up 0.4% in April, the fourth straight month of increase. Moreover, meat prices increased 8.4% in April this year. These factors indicate that inflation may be creeping up.

The overall economic environment is improving. However, the year-over-year decline in guest count remains a concern. Though up sequentially, same-store traffic for the month of April declined 1.1% year over year. As per media reports, the industry has yet to achieve an improving same-store guest count since the end of the recession.

Meanwhile, the industry is dependent on broad macroeconomic factors, with dining out being a largely discretionary activity. The economic climate largely influences restaurant choices for customers. The Consumer Confidence Index declined sequentially in Apr 2014 as consumers deemed current business and labor market conditions less favorable. Further, we believe issues related to "Obamacare," volatility in housing data and fuel prices and excess supply may continue to cast shadows on the long-term picture.

OPPORTUNITIES

Domestic and International Unit Expansion

After emerging from a lackluster economy that lasted for three years, most of the companies had stepped up their pace of restaurant openings. Not content with domestic expansion alone, the companies were looking to test waters as well as developing taste buds in foreign shores. Restaurateurs are primarily concentrating on emerging markets that provide ample opportunities for expansion.

Read this article:
Costs Taking a Bite Out of Restaurant Stocks - Industry Outlook

PUTRAJAYA, May 22 (Bernama)-- Golden Arches Restaurants Sdn Bhd, the operator of the McDonald's chain in Malaysia, plans to open a new outlet in Putrajaya by year-end, at an investment of RM17.5 million.

Managing Director Stephen Chew said the restaurant is part of the company's growth plan of having 500 restaurants by 2020.

The construction of the restaurant with a built-up area of 30,000 sq ft is expected to be completed within four months of approval of the building plan by the Putrajaya Corporation.

"The RM17.5 million just for this restaurant involves acquiring the land to develop the building and infrastructure," Chew said this before Golden Arches Restaurant signed an agreement with Putrajaya Holdings for the disposal of part of Plot 2M1 in Precinct 2, here for the latest McDonald's restaurant Thursday.

On the company's growth, he said Golden Arches Restaurant had allocated an investment of more than RM185 million per annum for building more than 20 new restaurants, refurbishment and remodeling of existing ones and to growing the number of McCafes market wide.

He said to date, there are close to 270 McDonald's restaurants across Malaysia, serving more than 13.5 million customers monthly.

The pioneer McDonald's restaurant began operations in Jalan Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur in 1982.

-- BERNAMA

Continued here:
Golden Arches To Invest RM17.5 Million In New Mcdonald's Restaurant At Putrajaya

A restaurant chain already established in the Lehigh Valley is opening a second site in South Whitehall.

Moe's Southwest Grill will be located at the Tilghman Square Shopping Center.

South Whitehall commissioners granted preliminary/final approval on Wednesday to the land development plan for the 34-acre shopping destination at 4650 Broadway in order to accept Moe's as the latest tenant there.

Yogesh Patel, owner of the Moe's at 3211 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, said he hopes to have the 4,100 square foot establishment open in time for the holiday season after five to six months of construction.

Moe's will join Staples and AMC Theaters as anchor tenants at the establishment, along with Red Robin, Planet Fitness and Univest Bank. The shopping center is owned by Larken Associates, Hillsborough, N.J.

The restaurant/caterer is likely the last piece of the puzzle at the center, located across from St. Luke's West End Medical Center.

"It's pretty-much maxed-out," Ana Martins, project manager for Van Cleef Engineering Associates, said of Tilghman Square.

All permits are in-hand to proceed with construction, she said.

Moe's isn't stopping there, however. Patel said he will be opening yet another establishment in either Easton or across the state line in Phillipsburg, N.J.

"That's definite," he said.

View post:
Moe's Southwest Grill heading to South Whitehall

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) As construction on the new Horseshoe Casino continues, theres another major announcement.

Jessica Kartalija reports a famous chef is bringing his restaurant to Baltimore.

In just a few months, Baltimore City will have its first casino, complete with celebrity chef-inspired cuisine.

Celebrity Chef Aaron Sanchez from the Food Network show Chopped is opening a 220-seat taqueria restaurant with Chef John Besh.

Its really exciting to be down here, he said.

Now theres another big addition with another celebrity chef.

The cool thing about Baltimore is people really enjoy food up there. Its really a good environment. Their fans are loyal to their sports; their fans are loyal to their area, said Guy Fieri.

Thats right. The host of the famous Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives will open a restaurant in his name: Guy Fieris Baltimore Kitchen and Bar.

See the article here:
Horseshoe Casino Gets New Celebrity Chef Restaurant

The Inn and restaurant at the western tip of Marthas Vineyard boasts fine dining and water views from every room.

Jeanne and Hugh Taylor opened the Outermost Inn as a seven-room Inn in March of 1989 and soon opened a restaurant to feed the guests. Holy shamoly! Has it been that long? I havent even thought about it, said Mr. Taylor, brother of musicians James, Livingston, Kate, and the late Alex Taylor, when asked whether there would be an anniversary celebration.

In 1971, the Taylors built the house that is now the Inn on family land near the westernmost point of Marthas Vineyard, right near the Gay Head Cliffs, in the town of Gay Head, now of course known as Aquinnah.

Kristfer Rabasca

Jeanne and Hugh Taylor, on a recent spring day, getting ready for the season.

The Taylors restructured the house in 1988 to create a bright, clean and airy seven room Inn. The Outermost has a large covered porch overlooking a north facing view of land and sea. All the rooms feature great views and private baths. The restaurant boasts fine dining and patrons sometimes make reservations months in advance. Chef Jason Borajkiewicz returns for the summer.

Mr. Taylor talked about the Inn with the Times from the Bahamas, where he and Jeanne spent the winter recovering from last summer.

Howd you get your start?

Originally we only had the notion to open an Inn. The restaurant part came quickly after we opened.

Back in the 60s Jeanne and I were asked by Clarissa Allens mother to open the Chilmark Store, which hadnt been open for almost fifteen years. It had been run by her uncle.

See original here:
Meet Your Merchant: The Outermost Inn at 25

WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden promoted government-financed work projects as they lunched outside the White House Friday, saying the projects could be endangered if Congress does not act by the end of the summer.

Obama and Biden ate at a Shake Shack burger restaurant a few blocks from the White House with four workers from a $9.1 million Washington reconstruction project underway about 3 miles away from the lunch spot.

The White House said the project included $6.9 million in federal aid.

"It is a no-brainer for Congress to do what it's supposed to do, pass transportation funding," Obama said, his voice hoarse as he recovers from a cold.

Obama has proposed a $302 billion, four-year infrastructure spending bill, half of it paid for with existing fuel taxes and user fees and the other half paid for by eliminating corporate tax loopholes.

A key Senate committee voted Thursday to spend $265 billion on highway projects over the next six years. Still, much legislative work remains before it can become law.

The administration says current funding for projects will run out by the end of August.

Obama also used the lunch outing to promote another top policy raising the minimum wage. He said Shake Shack workers earn more than $10 an hour. The current minimum hourly wage is $7.25. Obama wants Congress to raise it to $10.10.

___

Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap

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Obama touts jobs projects, eats lunch with workers

The McDonalds on South Erie Boulevard plans to still open today despite an end-of-April fire that destroyed a storage building on the construction site.

The newly built fast-food restaurant plans to re-open at 11 a.m. today at 1771 S. Erie Blvd./Ohio 4 in Hamilton, said Owner Pat Pawling.

On April 27, a fire with smoke seen from downtown Hamilton burned a three car garage being built for extra storage space, Pawling said. The unfinished storage building was framed and roofed, but there was nothing in it, he said.

No flames touched the main restaurant building under construction. Therefore, the fire did not affect the opening, Pawling said.

The cause of the fire could have been anything, we just have no idea, he said.

Prior to last months fire, the old McDonalds at the same site was torn down. A new restaurant was rebuilt in its place with the national food chains modern finishes.

The original McDonalds on site was more than 50-years-old and still had the red and white tile common among McDonalds first restaurants built in the 1960s, Pawling said. It was the 212th McDonalds restaurant built in the companys system. Today, Illinois-based McDonalds Corp. has more than 32,000 locations worldwide.

Remodeled several times over the years, this is the first time the Hamilton eatery was completely knocked down and rebuilt.

Pawling said he also bought the property next door, a former Rent-A-Center, which was also demolished.

When the Hamilton restaurant opens again its been closed about four weeks it will have 107 seats versus 92 previously. Also new is a side-by-side drive-through. A third pick-up window was added for food orders that take more time.

View original post here:
Fire wont affect Hamilton McDonalds re-opening