January 8, 2015
Historic Vail Mansion Transformed into Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
Morristown, N.J.’s landmark Vail Mansion, an Italian Renaissance Palazzo-style, commissioned in 1917 by AT&T’s first president Theodore Vail, is the new home of Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen. The property recently underwent a $5 million renovation to restore it to its original grandeur and create what operator Chris Cannon hopes will become one of the state’s most iconic destination restaurant spaces.
Restaurant Development Report
International expansion is on the menu as a variety of chains, including Carl’s Jr., Dunkin’ Donuts, El Pollo Loco and Schlotzky’s, announce plans to open units overseas. In addition, a Wendy’s franchisee steps up its efforts in the Mid-Atlantic region while Carlo’s Bakery gambles on a new location.
Q&A with the Vice President of Restaurant Development, Panda Restaurant Group
Trained as an architect and interior designer and fluent in four languages, Tabassum Zalotrawala moved to the United States to pursue an MBA in International Business at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Since then Zalotrawala has found her niche in the chain restaurant industry, beginning at Arby’s, where she became senior director of store planning. Three years ago, Zalotrawala joined Los Angeles-based Panda Restaurant Group (PRG), parent company of the fast-growing, 1,700-plus-unit QSR brand Panda Express, as well as the smaller Panda Inn and Hibachi-San Japanese Grill concepts.
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Tap into the potential of Wine On Tap
Keg wine is a great value for the on-premise operator; guests will enjoy a fresh pour each time and the operator will realize maximum return due to minimal waste from each keg.  |
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How to Negotiate Leases in a Tough Market
There’s not much good to report about the current real estate environment for multi-unit restaurant companies. Top sites remain scarce and many rivals continue to bid on them. New shopping center construction, the source of growth for years, hasn’t made much of a comeback. As a result, occupancy costs have shot up for second- and third-generation sites that are often in questionable condition.
Contractor Sees Increased Retail, Restaurant, Mall Activity Ahead This Year
Thanks to an improving economy, construction trends for 2015 include an increase in retail and restaurant ground-up construction and a rise in shopping mall renovations, according to national general construction firm Englewood Construction.
The Cowfish Opens in Universal Orlando’s CityWalk
Universal Orlando’s dining and entertainment complex, CityWalk, celebrated the opening of its newest restaurant attraction in December, The Cowfish. First established in North Carolina by Marcus Hall and Alan Springate, the concept brings together burgers and sushi in a vibrant, casual-dining venue with full bar. The restaurant’s menu features sushi rolls, unique craft burgers and a mash-up of the two in a section called “Burgushi,” which includes sushi rolls created using burger components and pick-up style sandwiches created using sushi ingredients. |
