Buca di Beppo Plots Growth at Mall Locations

General Growth Properties Inc. (Chicago) and family-style Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo (Minneapolis) are partnering together to open 10 Buca di Beppo restaurants this summer. The restaurants will range in size from 4500 to 7000 square feet and be located at properties within the GGP mall portfolio, including:

Governor's Square Mall (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Augusta Mall (Augusta, Ga.)
The Shoppes at River Crossing (Macon, Ga.)
Market Place Shopping Center (Champaign, Ill.)
Florence Mall (Florence, KY—Cincinnati)
Oakwood Center (Gretna, La.)
White Marsh Mall (Baltimore, Md.)
Town East Mall (Mesquite, Texas)
Red Cliffs Mall (St. George, Utah)
Fox River Mall (Appleton, Wis.)

The expansion marks the first of multiple deals that are in development with Buca di Beppo and various GGP properties throughout North America, according to the companies. “These malls are situated in markets where customers desire expanded sit-down restaurant options,” says Alan Barocas, senior executive vp, leasing, General Growth Properties. “Each opening will complement the dining selection and further solidify the mall's standing as a popular dining destination.”

General Growth Properties owns or has an interest in 136 regional shopping malls in the U.S. Buca di Beppo restaurants, owned by Planet Hollywood Intl. Inc., operates locations from Washington D.C. to Honolulu.