CHICAGO-Buca di Beppo has agreed to open 10 new restaurants in malls owned by locally based General Growth Properties. The mall REIT said during its conference call about fourth quarter performance last week that it will be focusing on filling space and big box additions to its properties this year.

The Italian family-style restaurant is an affiliate of Planet Hollywood Inc., based in Orlando. The chain currently has 87 locations, including five in the United Kingdom and three in Mexico, and a company spokeswoman tells GlobeSt.com that this GGP deal will boost the company to almost 100 locations.

In a statement, the chain said these 10 new locations mark a “significant expansion” for the restaurant group. Robert Earl, chairman of Buca, said in the statement that these are the first of multiple deals that are in development with GGP properties throughout North America. “We will strategically enlarge our restaurant group with multiple new domestic restaurants with a rapid expansion into retail environments that offer high traffic counts, appealing demographics and accessibility to customers who appreciate great quality at great value,” he said. The spokeswoman would not comment further on growth expectations.