Much of 2012’s commercial real estate deals could be summed up in one of three phrases: speculative construction, institutional buyers and unusual transactions.

The first quarter was kicked off when Industrial Developments International Inc. revealed plans to add one build-to-suit and two speculative buildings in its Crossroads Distribution Center in Olive Branch – marking the area’s first spec construction since 2008.

2. Southwind Homewood Suites Sells for $6.5 Million - Monday, December 31, 2012

3583 Hacks Cross Road Memphis, TN 38125

Sale Amount: $6.5 million

Sale Date: Nov. 2, 2012

3. $1.3 Million Permit Filed for The Capital Grille - Friday, December 28, 2012

Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Concepts Inc. has filed a $1.3 million permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement to build The Capital Grille on an outparcel of the Crescent Center in East Memphis.

4. Olive Garden Owner Shifts Course to Focus on Deals - Monday, December 24, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – After new ad campaigns touting the quality of its food failed to spark sales, the parent company of Olive Garden and Red Lobster is retooling its strategy to attract diners with more promotional deals.

5. Storm's Cost May Hit $50 Billion; Rebuilding to Ease Blow - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Superstorm Sandy will end up causing about $20 billion in property damages and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business, according to IHS Global Insight, a forecasting firm.

6. Businesses React to Affordable Care Act Mandate - Monday, October 15, 2012

With increased health care costs on its horizon, Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. recently made national headlines when it dodged Affordable Care Act requirements by cutting back on its full-time employee hours.

7. Olive Garden, LongHorn Workers Sue Company - Friday, September 07, 2012

Darden Restaurants violated federal labor laws by underpaying thousands of servers across the country at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and other eateries, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of the workers.

8. Major Retailers to Launch Mobile App for Payments - Thursday, August 16, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – A bevy of big-name retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best-Buy Co. and Target Corp., are teaming up to create a company that will give customers another way to make purchases: with their cellphones.

9. Youth Villages, Darden Partner to Advance Program - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Memphis-based Youth Villages has been selected to receive a $2,000 grant as part of the inaugural Restaurant Community Grant Program from the Darden Foundation, the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants Inc.

10. Mrs. Obama Applauds Olive Garden 'Healthier Food' Announcement - Friday, September 16, 2011

HYATTSVILLE, Md. (AP) — Michelle Obama said Thursday that a pledge by the Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants and their sister chains to serve healthier meals is a "breakthrough moment" for the industry.

11. Venture Off Kid’s Menu Every Once in a While - Tuesday, September 06, 2011

So, you’re in the restaurant, the family and the kids. Everybody is behaving well, speaking in “inside voices,” including the adults. So far, so good, but the point is, what is everybody going to eat? The kids take one peek at the menu and look as if they’re beginning to tune up: “Mom, Dad, we hate tilapia with Southwestern succotash and mango-jicama relish!” Mom says, hopefully, “Look, Dick, look, Jane, there’s a kid’s menu! You love kid’s menus!” Signaling the helpful waiter for another martini.

12. Olive Garden Names GMFor New Memphis Restaurant - Thursday, June 07, 2007
     Shirley Bridgeforth has been named general manager for a new Olive Garden restaurant opening this month.
     The Tuscan farmhouse-style restaurant is slated to open June 25 at 5679 Poplar Av

13. Smokey Bones RestaurantsClose in Memphis Area - Tuesday, May 08, 2007
     Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. has announced the closure of more than 50 of its Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill Restaurants and plans to sell the remaining 73.
     Those being clo

14. Executive Shifts AnnouncedAt First Horizon National - Wednesday, January 31, 2007
     First Horizon National Corp. officials announced Monday that J. Kenneth Glass, chairman of the board and CEO, will retire effective April 17 - the date of the company's annual meeting.
     

15. Archived Article: U.s. 64 (lead) - Thursday, October 07, 2004
By Andy Meek

More Restaurants Target Wolfchase Area

T.G.I. Fridays, Smokey Bones set to open in retail corridor

ANDY MEEK

The Daily News

With the development it has helped spawn along Germantown Parkway and the estimated 200,000 weekl...

16. Archived Article: Amerigo Chg - Thursday, December 04, 1997
By CAMILLE H Jackson, Miss., chain brings newest restaurant to Memphis Several restaurants enter the Memphis market for the first time in '97 By CAMILLE H. GAMBLE The Daily News Amerigo Italian Restaurant, a Jackson, Miss.-based chain, has signed a ...

17. Archived Article: Bahama Breeze Lj - Tuesday, October 28, 1997
By LAURIE JOHNSON Bahama Breeze to blow into Memphis By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News Construction has started on a new Caribbean-theme restaurant at 2830 N. Germantown Rd. in East Memphis. Darden Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the Red Lobs...

18. Archived Article: Red Lobster Lj - Monday, September 22, 1997
By LAURIE JOHNSON Red Lobster to open in Germantown New restaurant will replace Austin Peay location By LAURIE JOHNSON The Daily News Construction has started on a Red Lobster restaurant in Cordova near the Wolfchase Galleria Mall. The new restauran...

19. Archived Article - Wednesday, August 27, 1997
114 N 114 N. Main Center City Commission Hnedak Bobo Group Inc 810,000.00 Renovate Interior Of Building 203 S. Main Orpheum TheatreHnedak Bobo Group Inc500,000.00 General Toilet And Lighting Upgrade Exterior Repairs/Upgrade 587...