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Chain Operating Report for July 10, 2012

A pair of chains plot international expansion plans, coffee giant Starbucks expands its menu and more in this week's Chain Operating Report.

Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN) reached a development agreement with Great China International Group (GCIG) for the development of 50 new Denny's restaurants in southern China over the next 15 years. GCIG has exclusive rights to open units in six Chinese provinces including Guangdong, Fujian, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan. Denny's expects the first restaurant will open in 2013.

Fast-casual concept FREEBIRDS World Burrito will open locations in Humble, Texas and Mission, Kan., later this week. The Mission location represents the first site for FB Midwest Development, LLC, the first franchisee of FREEBIRDS World Burrito.

Tony Roma's reached an agreement with I2C for the development of up to ten new restaurants in Brazil.

As part of the coffee giant's continued efforts to broaden its menu, Starbucks introduced Refreshers at stores in the U.S. and Canada. Also, stores in 15 international markets will carry the new handcrafted, chilled beverages. Available in two flavors, very berry hibiscus and cool lime, the Starbucks Refreshers are made from 100 percent arabica beans, resulting in a low calorie refreshment that provides an energy boost associated with caffeine without the taste of coffee.

VooDoo BBQ & Grill, a New Orleans-based barbecue chain, will open a new location in Austin, Texas, next week. This is the first of five locations franchisees Brent and Malinda Williams plan to open in the Austin area. The Austin location will be just the second VooDoo BBQ & Grill restaurant to open outside of the chain's home state of Louisiana.

Wingstop opened a location in Martinez, Calif. This location is owned by Don Brocca, who now has four Wingstop locations in the region.

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