Barnard Commercial Real Estate

While the U.S. economic recovery remains fragile, there is much for the restaurant industry to celebrate, according to market research firm Packaged Facts. "The Foodservice Landscape in the U.S.," its outlook report for the restaurant industry, projects that sales will grow 4.2 percent to $487 million in 2012, on the heels of 6.1 percent market growth in 2011.

Papa John’s International Inc. capped off its fiscal 2011 with what founder and chief executive John Schnatter called “an exceptional fourth quarter,” increasing the 3,883-unit chain’s store count, same-store sales and net income.

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 25, 2011, Papa John’s net income was $15.98 million, or 65 cents per share, up 14 percent from $14.03 million, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier.

Pizza Patrón announced today that it will be rebooting its franchising push in 2012 targeting strategic new markets and adding more stores in existing ones. The company will continue to hold fast to its core philosophy of growth through franchise distribution.

New menu items, re-imaged restaurants, leadership changes and grand openings are just a few of the exciting developments ahead that will drive growth for Fresh To Order (F2O) in 2012.

January same-store sales rose 4.9 percent, and while they dipped slightly compared to the 5.4-percent increase from the prior month, they represented a significant increase compared to the same month last year when same-store sales rose 1.7 percent, the survey found.

Famous Dave’s of America Inc. plans to open more units of its new fast-casual barbecue concept, as well as expand its core Famous Dave’s brand, chief executive Christopher O’Donnell said Thursday in a call discussing fourth-quarter earnings.

Panera will expand a test of table service and drive-thrus this year, Panera Bread Co. executives said Wednesday.

Company executives spoke with analysts after reporting Tuesday that profit increased 5.8 percent in the fourth quarter after special charges.

Whole Foods Market here said Wednesday it is on track to open between 24 and 27 new stores this year and 28 to 32 more next year, with plans to continue to accelerate the pace of new-store openings every year for the next several years.

Amazon.com Inc is dipping its toes into the physical world as the largest online retailer offers more products in stores that may benefit from hands-on interaction with shoppers.

A spike in bus traffic fueled a record year for Woodburn Company Stores, one of Oregon’s more popular tourist destinations.

The outlet mall in Woodburn said 2011 brought a record 4.4 million shoppers. Sales increased six percent over 2010.

A strong fourth quarter of sales and unit growth helped drive a more than 31-percent increase in Buffalo Wild Wings 2011 annual net income compared with a year earlier.

Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread and Chipotle topped a list of limited-service restaurant chains with “excellent” customer satisfaction ratings for 2011, according to a survey by Sandelman & Associates.

Increases in store counts, traffic and same-store sales drove double-digit gains in net income for the fourth quarter and full 2011 fiscal year at Texas Roadhouse Inc., the casual dining company reported.

For the Dec. 27, 2011-ended fourth quarter, Louisville, Ky.-based Texas Roadhouse reported net income of $12.3 million, or 17 cents per share, up 22 percent from $10.06 million, or 14 cents per share, a year earlier.

The Cheesecake Factory Inc. on Tuesday reported a more than 36-percent increase in profit for the fourth quarter on improving guest traffic.

For the quarter ended Jan. 3, the Calabasas Hills, Calif.-based casual-dining operator reported net income of $29.9 million, or 54 cents per share, compared with $21.9 million or 36 cents per share, a year ago.

New menu items and innovative marketing brought Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. back to profitability in the fourth quarter of 2011, the parent of the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains said Thursday.

Retail sales will increase by 5.7% for the year, CGP predicted, saying it would represent the fastest year-over-year growth since a “bubble-inflated” 6% increase in 2005.

Retail property rents are expected to begin to rise later this year as demand for store space in shopping centers and malls slowly soaks up available space and, combined with the dearth of new space under development, finally tips the supply and demand balance.

For the quarter ended Jan. 3, the Huntington Beach, Calif.-based casual-dining operator said net income was $9.9 million, or 34 cents per share, compared with $6.9 million, or 24 cents per share, a year ago. The most recent quarter included 14 weeks, compared with 13 weeks the prior year.

Papa Murphy's International today announced its total U.S. systemwide sales grew to $702 million in 2011, up over 10% from 2010. The Zagat-ranked "#1 Rated Pizza Chain" in the U.S. ended the year with 1,300 locations. Same-store-sales were up more than 5%.

In continuing with its trend of strong sales performance, Chick-fil-A, Inc. announces that it exceeded $4 billion in annual sales in 2011. A record for the Atlanta-based chain, annual system wide sales at Chick-fil-A totaled $4,050,992,837, a 13.08 percent increase over the 2010 overall sales performance.

While the National Restaurant Association projects in its 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast that the U.S. foodservice industry will generate an overall sales increase of 3.5 percent, or $631.8 billion, this year, the trade group noted that growth can vary widely from region to region.

In the highly competitive U.S. coffee market, Dunkin’ Donuts has been distinguished for brewing a superior guest experience.

After months of speculation, discount retailer Target, is moving into Portland's downtown Galleria mall.

Panera Bread Co. on Tuesday said profit increased 5.8 percent in the fourth quarter after special charges, and same-store sales rose at both its corporate-owned and franchised locations.

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As the economy slowly strengthens, founders of successful eateries may be considering franchising as a growth model, but experts say CEOs must approach it with caution and do their due diligence to make sure it’s appropriate for their brand.

The first step, experts say, is to explore the viability of their brand on a bigger scale.

Portland Oregon ranks as the #3 market for restaurant growth.

_Red Mango, the No. 1 Zagat-rated frozen yogurt and smoothies chain in America, enjoyed a record year for franchise development in 2011.

The company awarded agreements for more than 70 new domestic locations, expanded the chain from 102 to 151 open stores, and added the states of Connecticut, South Dakota, and Tennessee to the roster for stores in development.