Monday, November 23, 2009

Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries comes to Atlanta


Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries will soon have their 1st location in Atlanta at Hammond Springs shopping center on the southeast corner of Roswell Road and Hammond Drive in Sandy Springs. They will be leasing 2,000+/- square feet on the endcap space across from Jason's Deli and Flying Biscuit. Other restaurant concepts in the center include Chick Fil-A, El Azteca, and The Sunflower Cafe.

As the sister company of Boardwalk Fries - the only national french fry brand in the United States - Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries has nearly 30 years of corporate brand recognition. Brothers, Dave and Fran DiFerdinando created the quick casual concept Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries in 2007. Inspired by the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, the concept provides customers with a fresh, made to order burger and fries experience in a family-friendly, beach-themed environment.

It is also speculated that Boardwalk has signed a lease for space at The Shoppes at Druid Hills at N. Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road. The Hammond Springs location is set to open February 1, 2010.


Information gathered from: www.boardwalkfreshburgersandfries.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hudson Grille now open in Midtown!


Hudson Grille recently look over The Artistry space in Midtown - one block south of the Marta Station at Peachtree Street & 10th Street.

In contrast to being in the bottom of the many mixed-use projects on Peachtree, Hudson has a site to itself...and a pretty prominant patio as well. With plasma TVs facing Peachtree and their Facebook Page with 615 friends already, Russ (General Manager) has planted their roots quickly at this urban location. $2.00 Jager Shorties, $3.00 Herrandura Shorties and $2.75 Sam Adams Pints all day, every day!

Reminiscent of the classic taverns in New York and Chicago, Hudson Grille offers an Old World tavern feel, with very modern appointments. The menu features char grilled steaks, fresh seafood, burgers and desserts from their award-winning Metrotainment Bakery. Revel in 360-degree views of your favorite game or sport on their state-of-the-art sound and plasma screen system. Hudson Grille is the perfect place to catch a game, to meet friends for a great meal or to enjoy drinks at one
of their expansive bars.

Midtown will be their 4th location in Atlanta - others include Alpharetta, Brookhaven, and Perimeter Mall.


Information Gathered from:
www.foodpeople.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Bruegger’s buys Timothy’s World Coffee


Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc., operator or franchisor of the 292-unit Bruegger’s Bakery Café chain, said Friday it has acquired the restaurant holdings of Toronto-based Timothy’s Coffees of the World Inc.

Terms of the deal, which was completed Friday, were not disclosed. Both Bruegger’s and Timothy’s are owned by subsidiaries of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. Bruegger’s, through a subsidiary called ThreeCaf Brands Canada Inc. will assume ownership of Timothy’s three restaurant brands: Timothy’s World Coffee, mmmuffins and Michel’s Baguette Bakery Cafe.

The restaurants, which are located throughout Canada, are primarily franchised operations. Bruegger’s now serves as the franchisor for the three brands’ 128 stores and corporate owner of 12 company units. In addition, Sun Capital also sold Timothy’s Coffees’ coffee-roasting arm to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. for about $157 million.

Jim Greco, president and chief executive of Burlington-based Bruegger’s Enterprises, said the company plans to grow all three of Timothy’s restaurant brands. Greco also noted that the deal will be beneficial on a number of levels, including giving Bruegger’s an instant platform in the lucrative specialty coffee segment, something it did not have before.

“This acquisition provides some great opportunities for both companies,” he said. “It is also a great opportunity to share our product expertise. We talk about introducing Bruegger’s at mmmuffins … and Timothy’s Coffee brings to us that expertise on how to make and market espresso-based beverages. This gives us a lot of knowledge we can implement right away.”

Greco said he expects to open the first U.S.-based Timothy’s Coffee unit sometime next year in a northeastern market.
“We do plan to bring the Timothy’s Coffee brand to the U.S., and in Canada intend to expand the Michel’s brand,” he said. “As for the mmmuffins brand, we’re going to explore an introduction to Bruegger’s Bagels, perhaps by co-branding [the two chains].”

“We’ll test that initially at a few stores and see how it goes,” Greco added. “What we’re looking to do is see if we can obtain an average increase in unit volume … and if it doesn’t work, we’ll deal with it at that time.”

Aggregate sales for all three Timothy restaurant brands total about $75 million, Greco noted. He added that Bruegger’s plans to open 15 namesake new stores in the U.S. by the first quarter of 2010. The fast-casual chain reported annual revenue of more than $200 million in 2008. Greco was named Nation’s Restaurant News Operator of the Year at this year’s Multi-unit Foodservice Operators, or MUFSO, conference.

Jimmy Davis with Colliers Spectrum Cauble exclusively represents Bruegger's in site selection for the Georgia market. They currently have one leased signed for a location at Northside Drive and Powers Ferry Road and plan on opening at least three stores in 2010.


Originally posted on: www.nrn.com
By: Ellisa Elan

Friday, November 13, 2009

Doc Chey's taking over Stella in Grant Park


Doc Chey's will soon add a 4th location in Georgia when they take over the former Stella space at 563 Memorial Drive. Located in the Oakland Park lofts building (across from Oakland Cemetary), Doc Chey’s Grant Park will feature a large patio, full bar, curbside take-out, and their fresh vanilla-flavored fortune cookies.

When you dive into one of their noodle bowls or stir-fries, you'll be enjoying food prepared from the freshest vegetables and meats, and sauces that are made-from-scratch in Doc's kitchen. The dim sum appetizer consists of a spring roll or dumpling that has been hand-made in Doc's kitchen. Why do they invest so much time and effort in bringing you freshly-prepared Asian food? Because The Doc is confident you will notice and appreciate the quality and freshness of the foods that they proudly serve.

The new location is scheduled to open in February 2010...just in time for Chinese New Year!


Information gathered from:
www.doccheys.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

BobbyG's coming to Lindbergh City Center


BobbyG's Chicago Eatery will soon be joining Lindbergh City Center in the former "My Panini" space. Located directly across from Taco Mac, the space is 2,406 SF and will have an outdoor patio area fronting Main Street. Firkin Pub recently opened on the opposite endcap from Taco Mac (adjacent to the Marta station) and is starting to grow the night-crowd in the center. With their Chicago-style pizzas and wide selection of wine and beer, BobbyG's will further add to this nightlife and be a great co-tenant with the other concepts at Lindbergh City Center.

BobbyG’s provides an authentic family-friendly Chicago dining experience with their fast-casual North Clark Street sports bar atmosphere. By shipping their products directly from Chicago, BobbyG's strives to provide a truly Authentic Chicago experience. From their Crispy Crust Chicago Style Pizza (Cut in Traditional Squares of course) to their pure beef Vienna Hotdogs, Italian Beef, Italian Sausage, Gyro’s, Polish, and all the traditional Chicago Favorites, BobbyG’s is the only place to experience the Real Taste of Chicago in the Atlanta-Metro area.

Of course there is plenty of variety on their menu to cater to almost any taste... including a selection of Kids Meals, Salads, Burgers and more. For the Chicago Sports fan they carry all da-BEARS Games and have become a haven for all things Chicago. BobbyG’s is not just a restaurant, it's a destination with customers coming from all over the Southeast craving a Taste of REAL Chicago.

Lindbergh City Center will be BobbyG's 2nd location in the Atlanta area. Their original restaurant is located at 13020 Morris Road, on the corner of Morris Road and Webb Road in Alpharetta.


Information gathered from: www.bobbygs.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Locos goes free-standing in Sandy Springs


After many years of being inline at the Publix-anchored shopping center at Roswell Road and Trowbridge Road, Locos has moved to a free standing location at 8550 Roswell Road. Formerly occupied by La Strada Italian restaurant, this 4,700 square foot location provides a spacious outdoor patio, large bar, and free WiFi.

In 1988, Jamey Loftin and Hughes Lowrance opened their first Locos Deli and General Store in Athens, Georgia. They sold sandwiches, milk, toilet paper and other basic needs of college students and delivered them to the residents and students around the University of Georgia. Nearly 20 years later Locos is a thriving concept with a new name, Locos Grill & Pub, and has grown to more than twenty locations throughout the Southeast.

In October of 1997, the first franchise store opened in Gainesville, Georgia. Since then, additional franchises have been added in areas such as Macon, Statesboro, Savannah, St. Simons, Valdosta, Auburn and Birmingham, Alabama, and the suburbs in and around Atlanta.

The menu has grown to include appetizers, salads, specialty sandwiches, wings, grilled burgers and entrees, and a variety of delicious desserts. There is truly something for everyone and every occasion on the menu at Locos.

Conveniently located just 0.40 miles north of Northridge Road and Roswell Road, this new location provides excellent visibility in the Sandy Springs market and easy access to residents on either side of GA 400.


Information gathered from: www.locosgrill.com

Sage Woodfire Tavern opening across from Perimeter Mall


After years of being one of Alpharetta's most successful establishments (and one of my family's favorite restaurants), Sage Woodfire Tavern is spreading their wings in Atlanta. They will be taking over the former Houlihan's space at Park Place shopping center, directly across from Perimeter Mall on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The space is 8,413 square feet and will be the 2nd largest restaurant at Park Place behind McKendrick's. Other restaurant concepts in the center include Twisted Taco, Eclipse di Luna, Alon's Bakery and Market, and Cafe Intermezzo.

With daytime populations over 35,000 people in a 1-mile radius and postal counts over 95,000 people in a 3-mile radius, the Perimeter Mall trade area has consistantly been in the top 5 markets for restaurant expansion. Many concepts such as Fleming's and Wildfire have made this area their debut in Atlanta...and I have no doubt that more will follow.

The Sage Woodfire Tavern specializes in new American Cuisine, with global influences, prepared over our live hickory-oak woodfire grill. The menu features an assortment of market fresh fish and seafood, hand-cut steaks, chops, and chicken. Also featured are a wide variety of gourmet salads, unique pastas, hamburgers, and italian panini.

Offering a full bar and live music piped throughout the restaurant, Sage Woodfire Tavern successfully creates a laid-back environment that caters to both the suburbian family and singles looking to socialize.

Information gathered from: www.sagewoodfiretavern.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Bistro Niko Opening at Sovereign in Buckhead


Bistro Niko, the newest addition to the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, will be an exciting new French bistro. The cuisine will be in keeping with the new lighter version of the classic French cuisine, as is the trend in Paris today. Lunch and dinner will be served seven days a week, with a special brunch menu available on Sunday mornings.

The stunning new décor will have elements of a Parisian yester-year with vintage pieces of art, antique light fixtures from France and a gorgeous red awning covered, sidewalk bistro-style patio that overlooks Peachtree Road.

Bistro Niko is located in the spectacular Sovereign building, located at 3344 Peachtree Road, in the heart Buckhead’s business and shopping district. There are three convenient access points to the Bistro including two traffic-light controlled driveways off of Peachtree Road.

Bistro Niko will provide the perfect venue for business lunches, dinner with friends and family, or for a night on the town. Private dining rooms are available for immediate booking for holiday events, corporate dinners and lunches or parties.



Originally Posted on August 28, 2009