IN THE NEWS: The Memphis Business Journal reports, “Jacksonville-based fast-casual chain Firehouse Subs is adding two Memphis locations this year and 15-19 over the next five years. Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Firehouse Subs, has 268 units nationwide and plans to add 100 stores in 2007. Two Firehouse units currently operate in Memphis. Firehouse Subs area representative Jim Maxwell owns a store in Germantown that opened in February 2006. The franchise’s other local location, at the corner of Appling and Stage in Cordova, opened in December 2006. The next Firehouse Subs location could open in the Eastgate Shopping Center in East Memphis by August, while the company is looking to land in Collierville by the end of the year.” … The paper also reports that Lenny’s Sub Shops has three new stores planned for the Gainesville, Fla. area. Lenny’s Sub Shops, a Philadelphia-style sub shop chain based in Memphis, has already granted more than 700 franchises in 18 states. … The Commercial- Appeal’s Jennifer Biggs reviews Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar (2809 Kirby Parkway, suite 109). commercialappeal.com, as does blogger Dining With Monkeys … From the Memphis Flyer: “State Rep. Paul Stanley and city council candidate Brian Stephens look over plans for a controversial “Italian restaurant” under construction on Fischer Steel Road in Cordova. A lack of windows in the restaurant, a project of strip club mogul Steve Cooper, has some residents worried the owner may try to pull a bait-and-switch and convert the building into a topless bar. The issue was the topic of a heated discussion at a Cordova Leadership Council forum May 17 that drew several hundred attendees.” … From the blog Squirrel Squad Squeeks: “Instead of offering a guest chef demo this month at La Tourelle, owner Glenn Hays and chef Thomas Schranz offered up a menu from Thomas Keller’s beautiful French Laundry Cookbook. As always, the service and atmosphere set the perfect backdrop for a wonderful dining experience. The food was amazing, delicious and in perfect keeping with the style and spirit of the French Laundry. We can’t wait to see what La Tourelle will have in store for us next month and to enjoy Chef Schranz’s wonderful everyday menu again.”

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