Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from August 2002

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from August 2002

Mayor Richard Daley told reporters he has an open mind about a proposal expected to be introduced in the City Council next week to ban smoking in restaurants. (Just In).
August 30, 2002... CHICAGO -- MAYOR RICHARD DALEY told reporters he has an open mind about a proposal expected to be introduced in the City Council next week to ban smoking in restaurants. Two aldermen who have lost relatives to lung cancer have vowed to...

The Ohio Hospitality Coalition lauded the Aug. 28 state Supreme Court ruling that local health boards have no authority to ban smoking in public places. (Just In).
August 30, 2002... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The OHIO HOSPITALITY COALITION lauded the Aug. 28 state Supreme Court ruling that local health boards have no authority to ban smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. "We're very pleased with the ruling by...

Krispy Kreme Doughbuts Inc. expanded its ownership in the chain's Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado trading areas by increasing its stake in regional area developer Glazed Investments LLC to approximately 75 percent, from 30 percent. (Just In).
August 30, 2002... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC. expanded its ownership in the chain's Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado trading areas by increasing its stake in regional area developer GLAZED INVESTMENTS LLC to approximately 75 percent,...

Panera Bread Co. (Financial Briefs).(same-store sales for the four weeks ended Aug. 10 )
August 30, 2002... ST LOUIS -- PANERA BREAD CO. said systemwide same-store sales for the four weeks ended Aug. 10 rose 5.3 percent The increase included rises of 4.5 percent rise at company-operated units and 5.7 percent at franchised units. Panera Bread owns...

Wing Zone chain signed a contract making Coca-cola the Buffalo-wing chain's official soft-drink supplier. (Supplier News).
August 30, 2002... ATLANTA -- The 33-unit WING ZONE chain signed a contract making COCA-COLA the Buffalo-wing chain's official soft-drink supplier. The deal includes national pricing for all current and future Wing Zone franchisees for the next five years. Wing...

Instill Corp. promoted Andy Cohen to senior vice president of sales and marketing. (Executive Suite).
August 30, 2002... REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Online supply-chain-services provider INSTILL CORP. promoted ANDY COHEN to senior vice president of sales and marketing, from the post of vice president of marketing. He will be replaced by DAN BELTRAMO, who previously...

Hardee's Food Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Santa Barbara, Calif-based CKE Restaurants Inc., launched a new ad campaign promoting its premium "Six Dollar Burger," which is priced at $3.95. (Marketing Matters).
August 30, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- HARDEE'S FOOD SYSTEMS INC., a subsidiary of Santa Barbara, Calif-based CKE RESTAURANTS INC., launched a new ad campaign promoting its premium "Six Dollar Burger," which is priced at $3.95. Three new TV Commercials will feature...

Stock Watch.(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 30, 2002... STOCKWATCH (Shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change close Panera Bread Co. 6.73 $29.30 Smith & Wollensky 5.71 3.89 Chicago Pizza &...

Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 29, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- In an effort to combat what health authorities say is a growing epidemic of childhood obesity, the LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS BOARD OF EDUCATION voted unanimously to ban the sale of soft drinks at all of its 677...

Eateries Inc. (Just In).(Vince Orza for governor)(Brief Article)
August 29, 2002... OKLAHOMA CITY -- VINCE ORZA, founder, chairman and chief executive of multichain operator EATERIES INC. of Edmond Okla., received the most votes in Tuesday's Democratic primary for Oklahoma governor but must face a runoff Sept 17. Orza, who...

Benihana. (Just In).(September 11 anniversary offerings)(Brief Article)
August 29, 2002... MIAMI -- To mark the anniversary of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, the BENIHANA chain said it will offer a 50- percent "Freedom Discount" on all food items sold to fire, police and military personnel with identification on the four Wednesdays...

Applebee's International Inc. (Financial Briefs).(same store sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 29, 2002... OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-- APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL INC. said systemwide same-store sales of the 1,449-unit chain rose 1.9 percent in the four weeks ended Aug 25. The increase included a 22-percent same-store rise at franchised units and a...

Champs Entertainment Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 29, 2002... ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- CHAMPS ENTERTAINMENT INC., which operates 35 Champps restaurants and franchises 12, posted a 62-percent decline in profits to $5.1 million for fiscal 2002 ended June 30, vs. $13.5 million the prior year. The company's...

Restaurant Co. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 29, 2002... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- THE RESTAURANT CO., operator and franchiser of the 500-unit Perkins Restaurants and Bakery chain, said net earnings for its second quarter ended July 14 leaped 52 percent to $850,000, vs. $558,000 in the year-ago period....

Denny's Corp. (Marketing Matters).(Cruz/Kravetz:Ideas named agency of record)(Brief Article)
August 29, 2002... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- DENNY'S CORP. restaurants named CRUZ/KRAVETZ:IDEAS of Los Angeles as agency of record for the Denny's chain's Hispanic market. The first work from the agency, which also handles English-language and Hispanic creative...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 29, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change close Main St. & Main 4.52 $3.24 Meritage Hospitality 3.77 6.60 Nathans...

The Illinois Restaurant Association is advising operators. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... CHICAGO -- The ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION is advising operators here to apply for refunds of "litter taxes" paid before this month's decision by the city of Chicago not to challenge a July 19 Illinois Appellate Court ruling that a...

International Dairy Queen Inc. (Just In).(is extending DQ Grill and Chill menu)(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... EDINA, Minn. -- INTERNATIONAL QUEEN INC. is extending the mennu of its DQ Grill & Chill prototype to some franchisees of the 5,700-unit chain without requiring them to fully convert their units to the new concept's decor and signage. The DQ...

Taco Bell Corp., a Yum! Brands-owned chain, settled a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by an African-American family. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... CULLMAN, Ala. -- TACO BELL CORP., a YUM! BRANDS-owned chain, settled a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by an African-American family that claimed they were denied service in 1998 for 15 minutes before they left a Taco Bell here, Reuters...

Sbarro Inc. (Just In).(closes units, reports second quarter financial results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 28, 2002... MELVILLE, N.Y. -- Citing sales slowdowns at Sbarro outlets in malls and airports since last Sept. 11, SBARRO INC. said it and its franchisees had closed 17 units so far in the third quarter and would close at least 13 more by year-end after...

McDonald's is selling a Big Grilled Hot Dog for $1.99 at 450 restaurants in Chicago through the end of September. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S is selling a Big Grilled Hot Dog for $1.99 at 450 restaurants in Chicago through the end of September, spokesman ROB JACKSON confirmed. The half-pound hot dog is topped with ketchup, mustard, relish and onions....

Ultimate Franchise Systems Inc., franchisor of some 350 units under the Gator's Dockside. (Executive Suite).(hires Robert C. Taft)(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... HEATHROW, Fla. -- ULTIMATE FRANCHISE SYSTEMS INC., franchisor of some 350 units under the Gator's Dockside, Jreck Subs, Central Park Hamburgers, Li'l Dine's Deli and Grille and Sobik's Subs brands, hired ROBERT C. TAFT for the newly created...

Piccadilly Cafeterias Inc. elected Joseph H. Campbell Jr. chairman of the board. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
August 28, 2002... BATON ROUGE, La. -- PICCADILLY CAFETERIAS INC. elected JOSEPH H. CAMPBELL JR. chairman of the board. RONALD A LABORDE, who had served as chairman for the past two years, will continue as Piccadilly's chief executive. The move is part of an...

Stock Watch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 28, 2002... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change close Max & Erma's 12.00 $14.00 Smith & Wollensky 5.16 3.67 Red Robin ...

Huddle House. (Just In).(legal suit case)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 27, 2002... ATLANTA--A group of HUDDLE HOUSE franchisees who operate about 100 of the family-dining chain's 360 restaurants are suing the Decatur; Ga.-based franchiser for alleged illegal trade practices. The claim involve practices of the Huddle House...

Austins Steaks & Saloons Inc. (Just In).(company management)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 27, 2002... ROANOKE, Va.--Pour dissident AUSTINS STEAKS & SALOONS INC. shareholders, alleging that the company's executives and board member have mismanaged the 217-unit operator and franchisor of Western Sizzling and other concepts, are seeking to...

Ameriking Inc. (Just In).(financial management)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 27, 2002... WESTCHESTER, Ill.--AMERIKING INC., whose 357 Burger King units make it one of that chain's largest franchisees, said it expects to complete a capital and debt restructuring by the end of the year, which is later than it initially expected....

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Just In).(services information)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2002... GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS INC., operator and franchisor of the 191-unit casual-dining chain, signed Manchester, Conn.-based ROUND ROBIN to an agreement calling for it to develop seven Red Robins in Connecticut and...

Champps Entertainment Inc. promoted vice president of operations Don Lamb to senior vice president and chief operating officer of the 46-unit casual-dining chain. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
August 27, 2002... ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--CHAMPPS ENTERTAINMENT INC. promoted vice president of operations DON LAMB to senior vice president and chief operating officer of the 46-unit casual-dining chain. Champps also promoted director of human resources CRAIG HEIDE...

Stockwatch.(restaurant stocks)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 27, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change close Ark Restaurant Group 10.71 $7.75 Quality Dining 6.73 3.95 Meritage...

Health officials linked prepackaged, diced Roma tomatoes served at six Walt Disney World restaurants to a salmonella outbreak that sickened as many as 141 people. (Just in).(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla. -- Health officials linked prepackaged, diced Roma tomatoes served at six WALT DISNEY WORLD restaurants to a salmonella outbreak that sickened as many as 141 people, including attendees of an athletio competition for recipients...

Big Boy Restaurants International LLC signed a partnership agreement with the Detroit Lions to operate a fast-casual restaurant inside the football team's Ford Field. (Just in).(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... WARREN, Mich. -- BIG BOY RESTAURANTS INTERNATIONAL LLC signed a partnership agreement with die DETROIT LIONS to operate a fast-casual restaurant inside the football team's Ford Field. Called "Big Boy Original," its menu includes such...

Seattle Coffee Co., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises Inc. (Just in).(new facility)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... SEATTLE -- SEATTLE COFFEE CO., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based AFC ENTERPRISES INC., is planning to open a new roasting, packaging and distributing plant in Fife, Wash, by next year's fourth quarter. The 220,000-square-foot facility would...

Papa John's International Inc. (Marketing Matters).(new chickenstrips item)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL INC. is rolling out a $4.99 "Papa's Chickenstrips" item starting today throughout the 2,933-unit pizza chain, including 596 company-owned units. Marking Papa John's first menu extension beyond...

McDonald's Corp. is teaming up with Westlake Village. (Marketing Matters).(Pleasant Holidays)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. is teaming up with Westlake Village, Calif.-based PLEASANT HOLIDAYS for a joint promotion that will award 30 vacations to Hawaii in 30 days in the chain's Los Angeles, San Diego and Portland, Ore., markets....

The National Restaurant Association is launching a new division that will be headed by Todd Mann. (Executive suite).(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION is launching a new division that will be headed by TODD MANN, who joined the association in June as senior vice president of business development Mann's division, which replaces die NRA's...

Benihana Inc. (Financial Briefs).(earnings, sales data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 26, 2002... MIAMI -- BENTHANA INC. said net earnings for its fast quarter ended July 21 rose 14 percent to $28 million, vs. $2.4 million in the prior-year period. Restaurant sales rose 12.4 percent to $56.7 million, vs. $50.5 million in the year-ago...

Green Mountain coffee Inc. signed a three-year deal with Gaithersburg. (Supplier News).(Sodexho)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2002... WATERBURY, Vt. -- GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE INC. signed a three-year deal with Gaithersburg, Md.-based SODEXHO as the coffee supplier for the food and facilities management provider's locations in New England, New York, New Jersey, Washington,...

Stock watch.(various restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 26, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change close Sonic 4.04 $24.74 Darden Restaurants 2.90 24.80 California...

Pizza Inn Inc. (Just In).(C. Jeffrey Rogers resignation, chain posts fourth-quarter net losses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 23, 2002... THE COLONY, Texas -- PIZZA INN INC., franchisor of about 450 namesake restaurants, said chief executive C. JEFFREY ROGERS resigned over his failure to repay a $1.9 million company-backed loan. Rogers was replaced as CEO by RONALD PARKER, who...

Bill Knapp's the 54-year-old family-restaurant chain that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last May. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 23, 2002... BATTLE CREEK, Mich.--BILL KNAPP'S, the 54-year-old family-restaurant chain that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last May, has closed all of its remaining 29 units. Attempts in recent years to find a buyer or to improve...

Center for Science in the Public Interest gave top marks to Wendy's International Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 23, 2002... WASHINGTON--In a press release naming the "best" and "worst" menu items at major fast-food chains, the nutrition-advocacy group CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST gave top marks to WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. for its Mandarin Chicken...

Jessica Van Straten. (Just In).(McDonald's employee dies from hepatitis A)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2002... MADISON, Wis.--A. 19-year-old McDonald's employee, JESSICA VAN STRATEN, died at University Hospital here Thursday, after she, here son and another employee's child, both 18 months old, became infected with hepatitis A and the restaurant in...

Panera Bread Co. (Financial Briefs).(announces second-quarter net profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 23, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- PANERA BREAD CO. Said net profit for the second quarter ended July 14 rose 65 percent to $3.9 million, vs. $2.4 million in he prior-year period. Revenue for the quarter rose 43 percent to $62.3 million. The period marked Panera's...

Worldwide Restaurant Concepts Inc. (Financial Briefs).(announces first-quarter net earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 23, 2002... SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- WORLDWIDE RESTAURANT CONCEPTS INC., parent of the Sizzler chain, said net earnings for the first quarter ended July 21 rose 96 percent to $3.3 million, vs. $1.7 million in the prior-year period. Bolstered in part by...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry stock prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 23, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change close Nathan's Famous 9.37 $3.62 Rubio's Restaurants 7.00 6.88...

Burger King Corp. to a group of investors led by Texas Pacific Group. (Just in).(acquisition cleared by antitrust regulators)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... MIAMI -- Federal antitrust regulators cleared the sale of BURGER KING CORP. to a group of investors led by TEXAS PACIFIC GROUP, according to a spokesman with the Federal Trade Commission. London-based DIAGEO PLC in July said it agreed to sell...

Morton's Restaurant Group. (Just in).(restaurant servers file class-action lawsuit)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... NEW YORK -- A group of servers employed by MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that they were "forced" to share their tips with unit management. The allegations identify three servers as plaintiffs who worked at...

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of a retarded former Wendy's employee. (Just in).(federal lawsuit, harassment by coworkers, Wendy's International Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... DUBLIN, Ohio -- The EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, on behalf of a retarded former Wendy's employee, filed a federal lawsuit in New Jersey against a Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers franchisee, according to a report by Dow Jones. It...

The Krystal Co. closed a franchise deal with Miami-based Diamante Foods L.L.C. (Just in).(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- THE KRYSTAL CO. closed a franchise deal with Miami-based DIAMANTE FOODS LLC that calls for it to open nine Krystal units in South Florida. The first, which opened in mid-June in Broward county, marked the 420-unit...

Famous Dave's of America Inc. (Just in).(issued temporary restraining order; Colter's Franchise Ltd., Colter's Restaurants Ltd., McGuire Properties Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA INC., the 66-unit barbecue-dinnerhouse operator here, on Wednesday said a temporary restraining order, resulting from a breach-of-confidentiality lawsuit filed by COLTER'S RESTAURANTS LTD., COLTER'S...

Santana Row was scheduled to open Sept. 19, but the likelihood of that seems remote as developer Federal Realty Investment Trust of Rockville. (Just in).(fire delays San Jose, California retail-residential complex opening)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2002... SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A six-alarm fire on Monday has delayed, if not derailed, development of new branches of several well-known Bay Area independent restaurants and prominent regional and national chains at the $500-million SANTANA ROW...

Stock watch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
August 22, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change close Quality Dining 6.65 $3.69 Paners Bread 6.35 34.86 P.F....

Dunkin' Donuts scheduled an opening for today of its first unit within a Home Depot. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... RANDOLPH, Mass.--DUNKIN' DONUTS scheduled an opening for today of its first unit within a HOME DEPOT, part of a test with the 1,437-unit home-improvement store chain. Following the debut in Manchester, Conn., a second test outlet is slated to...

The former marketing firm security chief who masterminded the theft of $24 million in winning McDonald's game. (Just In).(Jerome Jacobson testifies in court)(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--The former marketing firm security chief who masterminded the theft of $24 million in winning MCDONALD'S game tickets testified in court here that he recruited friends to help find people to redeem winning tickets, Dow...

Universal Orlando settled a lawsuit filed last December by New York businessman Gilbert Feliciano. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla.--UNIVERSAL ORLANDO settled a lawsuit filed last December by New York businessman GILBERT FELICIANO, who sought $500 million to $700 million in damages from the theme park because its Latin Quarter restaurant at the Universal...

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the district of Arizona approved a settlement of litigation over the distribution of assets of Enbc Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... EATONTOWN, N.J.--The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the district of Arizona approved a settlement of litigation over the distribution of assets of ENBC INC., formerly Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp., and ENBP L.P., formerly Pinstein/Noah Bagel Partners....

Back Bay Restaurant Group, parent of such chains as Papa Razzi and Joe's American Bar & Grill. (Financial Briefs).(financing from FleetBoston Financial)(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... BOSTON--BACK BAY RESTAURANT GROUP, parent of such chains as Papa Razzi and Joe's American Bar & Grill, garnered a $33 million financing package from FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL. According to a statement from Fleet, the Boston-based operator of 34...

NuCo2 Inc. signed a deal with Unified Foodservice Purchasing Co-Op LLC. (Supplier News).(CO2 systems supply to Yum! Brands restaurants)(Brief Article)
August 21, 2002... STUART, Fla.--NUCO2 INC. signed a deal with UNIFIED FOODSERVICE PURCHASING CO-OP LLC to supply bulk CO2 systems and services to more than 5,000 YUM! BRANDS restaurants in the United States. UFPC is the purchasing cooperative for Louisville,...

Stockwatch.(various restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 21, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change close Ark Restaurant Group 14.14 $7.99 Buca 11.01 8.77 Main St. & Main ...

Darden Restaurants Inc. said the two presidents of its Smokey Bones BBQ and Bahama Breeze chains resigned. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 20, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla.--DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. said the two presidents of its Smokey Bones BBQ and Bahama Breeze chains resigned. The two departures were unrelated, said JIM DESIMONE, a Darden spokesman. While GARY HECKEL resigued his post as...

Apple Capitol Group LLC, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, will sell its 21 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants at auction next month. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 20, 2002... SUNRISE, Fla.--APPLE CAPITOL GROUP LLC, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, will sell its 21 APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR restaurants at auction next month. The company, which recently filed for protection from creditors...

Winchell's Donut House. (Just In).(Brief Article)
August 20, 2002... SANTA, ANA, Calif.--WINCHELL'S DONUT HOUSE will give away free doughnuts and coffee to uniformed firefighters, police officers and military personnel on Sept. 11, 2002, to commemorate America's heroes. Headquartered here, Winchell's has more...

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 20, 2002... SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--CKE RESTAURANTS INC., with more than 3,400 restaurants worldwide, reported same-store sales for the four weeks ended Aug. 12 declined 3 percent at its Carl's Jr. concept and 2.8 percent at Hardee's. Same-store sales for...

American Restaurant Group. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 20, 2002... LOS ALTOS, Calif.--AMERICAN RESTAURANT GROUP, parent of the 109-unit Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurants, reported revenue for its second quarter ended July 1 down 2.2 percent to $74.6 million, vs. $76.3 million in the prior-year...

Performance Food Group signed an agreement with Ruby Tuesday restaurants to provide distribution services to about 200 additional casual-dining outlets. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 20, 2002... RICHMOND, Va.--PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP signed an agreement with RUBY TUESDAY restaurants to provide distribution services to about 200 additional casual-dining outlets. The newly added Ruby Tuesday restaurants are located in the Mid-Atlantic...

Domino's Pizza. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 20, 2002... ANN ARBOR, Mich.--DOMINO'S PIZZA launched its new Buffalo Chicken Kickers, priced at $5.99. The new menu item, which contains 10 pieces of chicken breaded with a spicy buffalo-style seasoning is slated to roll out nationwide by Aug. 26. The...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 20, 2002... STOCKWATCH (charoe over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change close Buca Inc. 20.80 $7.90 Chicago Pizza & Brewery 11.99 7.75 Nathan's...

Burger King Corp. shuttered more than half of its units in New Mexico when it pulled the license of a 16-unit franchisee in the area, the Associated Press reported. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 19, 2002... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. shuttered more than half of its units in New Mexico when it pulled the license of a 16-unit franchisee in the area, the Associated Press reported. The franchise, which was operated by PHILLIP MCCOLLUM and KATTE...

McDonald's Holdings Co. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 19, 2002... TOKYO -- MCDONALD'S HOLDINGS CO., the 3,800-unit Japanese McDonald's group that is 54.9-percent owned by McDonald's Corp. of Oak Brook, Ill., boosted its sales by 15 percent to $77.9 million in the week ended Aug. 9 after slashing its regular...

Benihana Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 19, 2002... MIAMI -- Moderated by higher labor costs, BENIHANA INC. reported that it expects net profits to increase 14 percent during its first quarter ended July 21. The Asian restaurant chain said total restaurant sales during the quarter rose 12...

The Bellagio Hoteland Casino, Las Vegas, selected Caffe Umbria as the brewed coffee supplier for its three in-house coffee bars. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
August 19, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- The BELLAGIO HOTELAND CASINO, LAS VEGAS, selected CAFFE UMBRIA as the brewed coffee supplier for its three in-house coffee bars. Bellagio began serving the Seattle-based coffee company's offerings on Aug. 5, which coincided with...

The Washington Restaurant Association, which represents more than 12,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 137,000 employees in the state. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
August 19, 2002... OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The WASHINGTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, which represents more than 12,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 137,000 employees in the state, elected KATHY RIEGEL of Great Western Dining Red ROBIN in...

Yum! Restaurants International, the Dallas-based international division of Yum! Brands Inc., appointed Ray Colon as vice president. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
August 19, 2002... DALLAS -- YUM! RESTAURANTS INTERNATIONAL, the Dallas-based international division of YUM! BRANDS INC., appointed RAY COLON as vice president, worldwide knowledge transfer, where he will be responsible for overseeing "best practice" sharing...

Del Taco is set to launch a new fajita burrito, priced at $2.69 for chicken and $2.89 for steak. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 19, 2002... LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- DEL TACO is set to launch a new fajita burrito, priced at $2.69 for chicken and $2.89 for steak. The new menu item at the more-than-400-unit Mexican quick-service chain wraps grilled steak or chicken topped with a...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 19, 2002... STOCKWATCH (charges over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change close Garden Fresh Rests. 3.11 $12.00 CKERets. Inc. 6.95 7.23 AFC...

Hooters Air Inc. (Just In).(receives court apporval)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A bankruptcy court judge here on Wednesday granted HOOTERS OF AMERICA chairman ROBERT H. BROOKS' request to fund VANGUARD AIRLINES temporarily through a new company called HOOTERS AIR INC. while he evaluates a potential...

Angelo and Maxie's Inc. (Just In).(announces executive changes and second-quarter losses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... CHICAGO -- ANGELO AND MAXIE'S INC., which recently changed its name from Chart House Inc. after selling the 38-unit Chart House chain and one Peohe's restaurant to Landry's Restaurants Inc., reduced its board from eight directors to three and...

Ultimate Franchise Systems. (Just In).(acquires Uptown Restaurant Group Inc. controlling stake)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... HEATHROW, Fla. -- ULTIMATE FRANCHISE SYSTEMS, Heathrow-based operator and fianchisor of 140 Sobik's Subs, Li'l Dino's, Ireck Subs, Gator's Dockside, and Central Park units, acquired a controlling stake in the 68-unit UPTOWN RESTAURANT GROUP,...

Creative Host Services Inc. (Financial Briefs).(announces second-quarter net earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- CREATIVE HOST SERVICES INC., operator of approximately 90 concession facilities in 25 airports, said net earnings for the second quarter ended June 30 jumped 116 percent to $531,329, vs. $245,987 in the prior-year period. Revenue...

Yum! Brands Inc. (Financial Briefs).(reports sales and Randy Gier promotion)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- YUM! BRANDS INC., parent of Taco bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, said system wide same-store sales at its domestio company-operated restaurants rose 2 percent in the four weeks ended Aug 10, vs. the year-ago period. Separately,...

Brinker International Inc. (Supplier News).(extends Coca-Cola Fountain agreement)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... DALLAS -- Chili's Grill & Bar parent BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC. extended its partnership with Atlanta-based COCA-COLA FOUNTAIN for five more years. Under the deal, Coca-Cola will supply all fountain beverages to the Brinker chains' more than...

Wendy's International Inc. (Marketing Matters).(McCann-Erickson WorldGroup receives advertising account)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... DUBLIN, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. hired New York-based MCCANN-ERICKSON WORLDGROUP as its national advertising agency for the Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers chain in the United States, replacing BATES USA. The chain had more than...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry stock prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Thurs. change close Top Gainers Checkers Drive-In Rests. 11.56 $8.30 California Pizza Kitchen 10.64 21.00 Total...