ALLENTOWN, PA. — Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) has signed a nonbinding preliminary memorandum of terms to receive up to $93 million in funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, proceeds of which would be used to expand the California-based semiconductor manufacturer’s Lehigh Valley facility. Funding would also be allocated toward the expansion and modernization of the company’s Silicon Valley facility, and the projects could support the creation of as many as 1,700 manufacturing and construction jobs.
DALLAS — TGI Fridays Inc., which owns and operates 39 U.S. restaurants, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Northern District of Texas. The Dallas-based operator cited long-running declines in sales dating back to the pandemic as the main impetus behind the filing. All independently owned and operated franchise locations, both foreign and domestic, are not impacted by the filing. An entity doing business as TGI Fridays Franchisor LLC, which owns the TGI Fridays brand and other intellectual property, was also unaffected. TGI Fridays Inc. has secured a commitment for debtor-in-possession financing from its lenders to support operations at its 39 restaurants while proceeding through the Chapter 11 process. Globally, the chain’s footprint spans 461 locations across 41 countries.
CHICAGO — Hardware retailer True Value Co. LLC has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Chicago-based retailer has also entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its business operations to Do it Best Corp., another entity within the home improvement retail sector and former rival. According to Reuters, Do it Best will serve as the stalking horse bidder for True Value with an acquisition price set at $153 million in cash and the assumption of $45 million in contracts and other obligations. “After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we determined that the sale of our business was the path forward to maximize value and best serve our retail partners and other stakeholders into the future,” said Chris Kempa, CEO of True Value. “We believe that entering the process with an agreed offer from Do it Best, who has a similar decades-long history in the home improvement space and also operates with a focus on supporting members and helping them grow, is the most beneficial next step.” True Value stores — of which there are roughly 4,500 — are independently owned, aside from one company-owned store in Palantine, Ill. …
IRVING, TEXAS — Global convenience store operator 7-Eleven will close more than 400 of its North American retail outlets, according to reports from multiple publications, including NPR and CBS News. Both news outlets noted that the announcement to shutter some 440 stores throughout the United States and Canada was delivered on Thursday, Oct. 10, during a conference call held by Seven & I Holdings, which is 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company. The company’s U.S. operations are headquartered in Irving, Texas. The report from CBS states that the shuttered locations represent about 3 percent of 7-Eleven’s total North American store count, while NPR’s report cites “inflation pressures, slowed traffic, a decline in cigarette sales and a shift in consumer appetites” as the key drivers behind the decision. Regarding consumer appetites, 7-Eleven also said that it is focused on expanding its specialty food-and-beverage offerings throughout its remaining stores.
NEW YORK CITY — Global investment group CDPQ and Nuveen Green Capital, a provider of sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions, have launched a $600 million integrated financing program. The fund combines Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing and senior bridge and construction financing solutions for properties in various U.S. markets. The program will feature bridge and construction debt and will support cost-effective energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy and resiliency improvements tied to new or existing commercial assets. Nuveen will act as the primary sourcing agent for the integrated financing program.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — American Campus Communities (ACC) has delivered new student housing projects totaling $855 million this year. Together, the six communities — which include Meadows Apartments at Princeton University, Casa del Valle at Arizona State University, The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing at Emory University, xučyun ruwway Graduate Student Apartments at University of California Berkeley, East Campus Graduate Apartments at The University of Texas at Austin and Graduate Junction at MIT — feature 3,867 beds. Austin, Texas-based ACC is the third-party developer and manager for Graduate Junction (676 beds), East Campus Graduate Apartments (784 beds), The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing (535 beds) and Meadows Apartments (604 beds). Amenities at Meadows Apartments at Princeton University include a communal kitchen, children’s playroom and a market and café. In addition to a communal kitchen, The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing at Emory University features a fitness center, study areas and a parking garage. At Graduate Junction at MIT, amenities include study areas, a recreation center and gym and indoor bike storage. ACC is the owner, developer and manager of Casa del Valle at Arizona State University, which offers 507 suite-style beds with social lounges, Zen areas and landscaped outdoor amenities. ACC …
DENVER — Lee & Associates Denver is celebrating 10 years of success, excellence, innovation and client satisfaction. Since its inception in 2014, the company has closed more than 1,000 commercial real estate transactions producing $1 billion in transaction volume. “We are incredibly grateful to our loyal clients, dedicated employees and supportive principals who have been integral to our success throughout this remarkable journey,” says JR Bitzer, managing principal. “This anniversary signifies not only our years of hard work and determination, but also the immense potential that lies ahead as we continue to expand in Colorado.” Lee & Associates Denver is committed to consistently growing, meeting challenges and elevating its standards. Looking ahead, the company aims to enhance its offerings, explore new market opportunities and continue to deliver exceptional value to its clients.
DENVER — Chicago-based Banner Real Estate Group has launched Banner Industrial Properties, a new platform dedicated to industrial real estate investments. The platform will initially focus on value-add properties in key logistics markets throughout the Western United States. Based in Denver, Banner Industrial Properties is led by Mark Bowen as president, Dan Morrison as chief financial officer and Scott Blanding as chief operating officer. With more than 30 years of experience, Bowen’s role will encompass executive leadership, investment sourcing, operations and overall strategy. Bowen most recently served as chief investment officer at Dalfen Industrial. As chief financial officer, Morrison will oversee fundraising and capital markets activities. Previously, he helped launch three U.S.-focused, value-add funds with TradeLane Properties. Blanding will manage asset management, leasing and operations as chief operating officer at Banner Industrial Properties. Previously, he had stints with Viking Partners and DCT Industrial Trust.
DALLAS — Blackstone Real Estate (NYSE: BX) has entered into an agreement to sell G6 Hospitality, the Dallas-based parent company of Motel 6, for $525 million. The buyer is Oravel Stays, which owns Indian hospitality and travel technology company OYO, and the all-cash deal is expected to close during the fourth quarter. Blackstone acquired Motel 6 in 2012 and invested in capital improvements to the portfolio during its ownership. Through G6 Hospitality, Blackstone operates nearly 1,500 economy lodging venues in the United States and Canada under the Motel 6 and Studio 6 Extended Stay brands. OYO entered the U.S. market in 2019 and currently operates over 320 hotels across 35 states.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and has entered into a sale agreement with Los Angeles-based private equity firm Nexus Capital Management, a deal that would take the Ohio-based discount retailer private. Under the terms of the agreement, Nexus will serve as the “stalking horse bidder” (the approved investor that sets the low-end bar for a bankrupt company) in a court-supervised auction to acquire “substantially all” of Big Lots’ physical assets and ongoing business operations. Big Lots expects to keep the majority of its stores and online platform open and operational during the reorganization process as well as to be able to pay its employees and “certain critical vendors in the ordinary course of business.” The sale is expected to close during the fourth quarter, assuming Nexus is the winning bidder. In connection with this court-supervised process, Big Lots has secured commitments for $707.5 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, including $35 million in new financing from certain current lenders. Coupled with cash from ongoing operations, the financing is expected to provide sufficient liquidity for the sale process. The announcement comes after multiple reports of an imminent bankruptcy filing for Big Lots, …
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