Microsoft
Segment: Business and industry
HQ: Redmond, Wash.
Units: 43 on a 3-square-mile campus
Hook: Mark Freeman (right), senior manager of global employee services for Microsoft Corp., is charged with feeding the 60,000 people working on the tech company’s sprawling campus. He entices them to stay on site for meals by partnering with local food figures for new concepts. It’s an idea worth stealing.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room
Segment: Coffee shop
HQ: Seattle
Units: 1
Hook: Considered by execs to be the “next generation” of Starbucks, this 15,000-square-foot, multi-level site hosts bar and lounge areas, a gift shop, coffee library and pizzeria—with the focus on small-lot Reserve coffees. The company expects to open at least 100 locations.
Chop Daddy’s
Segment: Fast casual
HQ: Los Angeles
Units: 2
Hook: The folks behind Umami Burger and 800 Degrees partnered with a competitive griller for this barbecue spot. The menu’s smoky riffs include a beef brisket sandwich topped with mac and cheese.
Hash House A Go Go
Segment: Full service
HQ: San Diego
Units: 10
Hook: Serving “twisted farm food” with an emphasis on breakfast, Hash House A Go Go now has five locations in Las Vegas. Are its towering plates of comfort foods and kitchen-sink Bloody Marys translatable to c-stores? Maybe not, but any business traveler should add it to his or her list of dining destinations.
The Pride Stores
Segment: C-store
HQ: Chicago
Units: 12
Hook: The Pride features two unique food concepts: Lifeway Culture Shoppe dispenses frozen kefir (higher in probiotics than frozen yogurt) paired with a toppings bar, while Urban Counter offers an extensive menu with burgers on brioche buns and salads such as The Harvest with field greens, toasted almonds and blue cheese.
Melt Shop
Segment: Fast casual
HQ: New York
Units: 7
Hook: Recently opening its first location outside of New York in Washington, D.C., Melt Shop proves you can cram a whole lot more than cheese into a grilled cheese sandwich—including a burger, maple-glazed bacon or even fried chicken. The menu also features potato “tots” and shakes.
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