Applebee’s, hardware, pizza and joe — the latest in Kansas City retail

Applebee’s International Inc. has invested more than $4.5 million in its Kansas City-area restaurants during the past two years.

The latest in that line is a Kansas City, Kan., location, which will get a remodeled interior and exterior, service improvements and new menu items. It also will add 10 hourly employees.
The restaurant, 3404 Rainbow Boulevard, will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 p.m Aug. 16 to accommodate the work.

Applebee’s has revitalized 22 local restaurants during the past couple of years.
"The Kansas City market is now, and always will be, where we test new ideas," Bob Rentfro, Applebee's director of operations for Kansas City, said in an emailed statement. "We consider Kansas City to be a trailblazing market for us and at the forefront of our brand."

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Sandi Schmude Named a VIP Member of Worldwide Who's Who for Excellence in Residential Real Estate

   KANSAS CITY, MO, August 23, 2012 /Worldwide Who's Who/ -- Sandi Schmude, Realtor for RE/MAX Innovations, was recently named a VIP Member of Worldwide Who's Who. This special distinction honors individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to achieving personal and professional success.

Sandi has enjoyed a 20-year career in the real estate industry. She has seen how the industry and economy cycles and understands the ups and downs of the business and the changes in her clients' lives. She has gained expertise in residential real estate and is currently working with RE/MAX Innovations where she works with clients to address their needs. In addition to working as a Realtor, Ms. Schmude lives on a farm and loves gardening and dogs.

Sandi is a Certified Real Estate Specialist (CRS), a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), and a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE). She is affiliated with the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the Missouri Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Attributing her success to her truthfulness and experience in the industry, as the years progress she plans to experience continued growth.

For more information about ReMax Innovations, visit http://www.homeinkc.com.

About Worldwide Who's Who
With over 500,000 members representing every major industry, Worldwide Who's Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Worldwide Who's Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies, making them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services.

Worldwide Who's Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third-party endorsement of their accomplishments, and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships.

For more information, please visit http://www.worldwidewhoswho.com.

Contact:
Ellen Campbell
Director, Media Relations
mediarelations@wwregistry.com

Sandi Schmude, Five Star Professional

Why was I chosen as a Five Star Professional?
Five Star Professional conducts research to help consumers with the important decision of selecting a service professional. The Five Star award is presented to service professionals, such as wealth managers and real estate agents, in more than 45 markets in the U.S., and now in Canada. The Five Star award goes to service professionals who provide quality services to clients.
  
Five Star Professional:
• Conducts comprehensive research
• Recognizes service professionals
• Works with media partners, including leading city/regional magazines
• Helps award winners gain recognition
   
We make the market-specific research results available in city/regional magazines and on fivestarprofessional.com.
Five Star Professional also provides award winners with the opportunity to expand their presence in the magazine and celebrate their award with customized marketing tools.

Homeowners More Optimistic on Housing Market, Prices

The economy is still struggling to make a full recovery and the unemployment rate is still sitting above 8%, but when it comes to the housing market, consumers are optimistic about the future, according to a semi-annual survey by real estate website Trulia.

The American Dream survey was conducted in May, and shows consumers are optimistic about the health of the housing market and that home prices will rise in the near future.

The survey was commissioned Harris Interactive and polled 2,205 homeowners and renters in May to get a sense of their attitude toward home ownership in light of the housing crash that led to the recession. Surprisingly, the results also showed more people are seriously considering buying a new home now compared to the last survey.

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