Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from December 2001, page 2

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from December 2001

Compass group and Sodexho. (Just in).(Chicago public schools to investigate school food service quality)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... CHICAGO -- The superintendent of public schools here said steps are being taken to improve the quality of foodservice in the school system, following a series of investigative reports by the Chicago Tribune about questionable food safety...

Jack in the box inc. (Just in).(to bring restaurants into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... SAN DIEGO -- JACK IN THE BOX INC. said it plans to spend $10 million over the next four years to bring all of its 1,431 fast-food burger restaurants into compliance with the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, in compliance with a 1995 court...

The north Carolina bureau of investigation. (Just in).(investigates robberies of Asian restaurants)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... RALEIGH, N.C. -- The NORTH CAROLINA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION joined law enforcement personnel from Raleigh and four other North Carolina municipalities in a search for clues to aimed robberies at more than three-dozen Asian restaurants during...

Morton's restaurant group inc. (Financial briefs).(expects fourth-quarter losses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 12, 2001... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC., while reviewing strategic alternatives that include a potential sale of the company, said it expects to report a loss for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending Dec. 30. Morton's,...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(restaurant industry stock prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 12, 2001... Stockwatch (shares over $3) Pct. Tues. Top Gainers Change Close California Piza Kitchen 9.49 $21.69 AFC Enterprises 3.76 25.42 CEC Entertainment ...

La Madeleine Inc. (Just In).(acquisition information)(Brief Article)
December 11, 2001... DALLAS -- A group of European, Canadian and U.S. investors has acquired 62-unit LA MADELEINE INC., the high-grossing bakery-cafe chain based here. Terms were not disclosed. MARK MENKING, who, remains president, said the cash infusion will...

McDonald's. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 11, 2001... SAO PAULO, Brazil -- A Brazilian MCDONALD'S franchisee group, the INDEPENDENT MCDONALD'S OPERATORS ASSOCIATION, said 44 restaurants in the country currently are involved in litigation with McDonald's Brazil over alleged rent manipulations and...

Roark Capital Group. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 11, 2001... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- ROARK CAPITAL GROUP, a private equity firm in Atlanta, acquired a controlling stake in CARVEL CORP., the ice cream chain and ice cream cake producer based here. Terms were not disclosed. Roark said it plans to step up...

Raji Jallepalli-Reiss. (Just In).(of MAISON RAJI)(Brief Article)
December 11, 2001... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Chef RAJI JALLEPALLI-REISS, the acclaimed exponent of Indian-European fusion cuisine and owner of MAISON RAJI here, said she was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Jallepalli-Reiss, 52, plans to sell...

StockWatch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 11, 2001... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change Close Checkers Drive-In Rests. 7.44 $6.50 Santa Barbara Restaurant 4.00 3.90 Chicago Pizza & Brewery ...

Burger King Corp. (Just In).(to introduce three new products)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP., in detailing more than 14 new or improved menu items soon to be available nationwide, said at least three products were created to rival McDonald's most popular sandwiches, including the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder;...

KFC. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Following complaints from British vegetarians, KFC said its United Kingdom units stopped selling a product called the Vegetable Twister. KFC cited several reasons, including "not meeting sales expectations" and "added...

Yoshinoya D&C Co. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... NEW YORK -- Tokyo-based YOSHINOYA D&C CO., whose 999-unit YOSHINOYA BEEF BOWL quick-service chain has 85 US. units in the Los Angeles market, will open its first East Coast branch near Manhattan's Times Square next Monday, the Jiji Press news...

Cooker Restaurant Corp. (Financial briefs).(third-quarter loss)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- COOKER RESTAURANT CORP., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, reported a third-quarter loss of $9.1 million, vs. a loss of $7.9 million in the year ago period. The nine-month loss was $23 million, vs. a...

Ruby Tuesday Inc. (Financial briefs).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- Citing higher-than-expected same-store sales growth since Sept. 11, RUBY TUESDAY INC. said same-store sales of company-owned units in the second quarter ended Dec. 4 grew 1.9 percent The company previously head estimated...

Michael Hoffer. (Executive Suite).(COO of Famous Dave's of America Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. --MICHAEL HOFFER, former president and chief operating officer of DICK CLARK RESTAURANTS INC., joined 53-unit FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA NC. as COO. Hoffer succeeds MARTIN O'DOWD, who continues as CEO and president. Hoffer...

Stock Watch (charge over $3).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 10, 2001... STOCK WATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change Close Benihana Inc. 5.71 $12.78 Main St. & Main Inc. 5.04 5.63...

Seeking to pressure McDonald's Corp. and Tricon Global Restaurants to expand their animal-rights and human-rights efforts. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... BOSTON -- Seeking to pressure MCDONALD'S CORP. and TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS to expand their animalrights and human-rights efforts, activist investment fain TRILLIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT of Boston has filed separate shareholder resolutions with...

Citing recession pressures, Dave & Buster's Inc. said it would open only one restaurant next year instead of its previously planned four units. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... DALLAS -- Citing recession pressures, DAVE & BUSTER'S INC. said it would open only one restaurant next year instead of its previously planned four units. The operator of 31 namesake restaurant-and-games complexes said the curtailed expansion...

Wendy's International Inc. said its November same-store sales grew 1.6 percent at U.S. company restaurants, on top of a 3.4-percent increase in the year-ago period. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... DUBLIN, Ohio--WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. said its November same-store sales grew 1.6 percent at U.S. company restaurants, on top of a 3.4-percent increase in the year-ago period. Same-store sales rose 6 percent at Tim Horton restaurants in...

CKE Restaurants Inc., parent of the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. burger chains, reporter a third-quarter loss of $1.7 million, vs. a $29.4 million loss in the year-ago period. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... SANTA BARBARA, Calif -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC., parent of the HARDEE'S and CARL'S JR. burger chains, reported a third-quarter loss of $1.7 million, vs. a $29.4 million loss in the year-ago period. Third-quarter same-store sales grew 6.1 percent...

Burger King Corp. awarded print-media buying duties to Media First Inc. of New York, which won the chain's cable-buying responsibilities last summer. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. awarded print-media buying duties to MEDIA FIRST INC. of New York, which won the chain's cable-buying responsibilities last summer. The formalized print award the chain's first, BK said. Spending was not disclosed....

Stock Watch (Shares over $3).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... STOCK WATCH ( charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change Close Luby's Cafeterias 4.31 $7.51 Buca Inc. 3.25 14.93...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
December 7, 2001... An item in yesterday's Daily NewsFax misstated the November performance of Brinker International's Romano's Macaroni Grill chain. Its same-sinre sales declined 0.7 percent, vs. the comparable four-week period last year.

Burger King Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP in its "next phase of organizational changes to further align the company's marketing resources and strategic objectives," said it named CRAIG BRAASCH to the post of vice president, global advertising and promotions....

Tony May. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... NEW YORK -- Restaurateur TONY MAY plans to open a new PASTABREAK outlet in the E-Walk complex on West 42nd Street here next May. The original PastaBreak, a quick-service Italian concept located in 4 World Trade Center, was destroyed in the...

Panda Management Co. Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -- PANDA MANAGEMENT CO. INC., parent company of the Chinese-quick-service chain leader, PANDA EXPRESS, as well as the Panda Inn and Hibachi-San restaurants, changed its corporate name to PANDA RESTAURANT GROUP INC. to...

Anthony Tusa. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... SANDESTIN, Fla. -- Veteran New Orleans restaurateur ANTHONY TUSA said he and his son Mark will open four concepts -- POPPY'S SEAFOOD FACTORY, ROBERTO'S PIZZERIA, HAMMERHEAD'S BAR & GRILLE and GERARD'S COOKING SCHOOL AND MARKETPLACE -- next...

Pick Up Stix. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -- The 57-unit Chinese-quick-service chain PICK UP STIX, based here, signed its first franchise agreement, with GOLD COAST FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT LLC, since being acquired by Dallas-based CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE INC....

Bob Evens Farms Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- BOB EVANS FARMS INC. said same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 23 were up 26 percent, vs. the year-ago period, with menu prices for the month up 2.9 percent The full-service family-dining restaurant company owns...

Brinker International Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... DALLAS -- The 1,170-unit BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC. said its systemwide same-store sales were up slightly for the four weeks ended Nov. 28, vs. the year-ago period. The increase of 0.7 percent included gains of 1.3 percent at Chili's Grill &...

Sysco Corp. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... HOUSTON -- Distribution and marketing giant SYSCO CORP. agreed to acquire the assets of the SERCA FOODSERVICE operations of SOBEY'S INC., which is based in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. The transaction is valued at $278 million Sysco also has...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)
December 6, 2001... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Wed. Top Gainers change Close Ryans Family 10.72 $22.73 Cheesecake Factory Inc. 7.86 33.47 CBRL Group Inc. ...

Pal's Sudden Service. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... KINGSPORT Tenn. -- PAL'S SUDDEN SERVICE, a fast-food burger operation that was launched here in 1956 by PAL BARGER and now operates 17 units from Bristol, Va., to Morristown, Tenn., said it was named Tuesday by the U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT as...

Fairmont Capital Inc. offered to hay the 240-unit Arby's franchisee ICH Corp. and take it private for 75 cents a share, or about $1.9 million. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... SAN DIEGO--FAIRMONT CAPITAL INC. offered to hay the 240-unit Arby's franchisee ICH CORP. and take it private for 75 cents a share, or about $1.9 million. Anaheim, Calif.-based Fairmont, which owns 8.3 percent of ICH's stock, said its...

Fagan Capital Inc. made a definitive offer of $9.50 a share to purchase the 32-percent stake in Denver-based Quizno's Corp. held by minority shareholders. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... DENVER -- FAGAN CAPITAL INC. made a definitive offer of $9.50 a share to purchase the 32-percent stake in Denver-based QUIZNO'S CORP. held by minority shareholders. Last week, after receiving offers from living, Texas-based Fagan, Quizno's...

Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria, a 74-year-old downtown institution here, is expected to close its doors today. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... WASHINGTON -- SHOLL'S COLONIAL CAFETERIA, a 74-year-old downtown institution here, is expected to close its doors today. Owners GEORGE and VAN FLEISHELL said high rents and a steady decline in business had prompted them to shutter the...

Buckhead Life Restaurant Group's upscale 103 WEST changed its format to private-dinning-only Saturday. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... ATLANTA -- BUCKHEAD LIFE RESTAURANT GROUP's upscale 103 WEST changed its format to private-dinning-only Saturday. "We do so many private functions that it wasn't feasible to run two kitchens any more," banquet manager F. ROUCHI explained....

Fired Up Inc. opened a new Johnny Carino's Country Italian unit here, its second company-operated restaurant in Arkansas. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... ROGERS, Ark -- FIRED UP INC. opened a new JOHNNY CARINO'S COUNTRY ITALIAN unit here, its second company-operated restaurant in Arkansas. Separately, Johnny Carino's franchisee KAMPCO FOODS opened in Oklahoma City the first of its 15-store...

Jack In The Box Inc. said same-store sales in the four weeks ended Nov. 25 were up 1.1 percent, on top of a 4.7-percent increase in the comparable period last year. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... SAN DIEGO--JACK IN THE BOX INC. said same-store sales in the four weeks ended Nov. 25 were up 1.1 percent, on top of a 4.7-percent increase in the comparable period last year. ROBERT NUGENT, chairman and chief executive of the nearly...

Stockwatch (charge over $3).(Brief Article)
December 5, 2001... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change Close Diedrich Coffee Co. 11.25 $4.45 Smith & Wollensky 7.88 3.56 Starbucks 6.39...

Levy Restaurants has signed a 20-year deal worth an estimated $800 million to manage food concessions and catering for Speedway Motorsports Inc. (Just in).(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... CHICAGO -- LEVY RESTAURANTS has signed a 20-year deal worth an estimated $800 million to manage food concessions and catering for SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS INC. Speedway Motorsports operates six NASCAR racing venues and five minor-league baseball...

Ted Gregory, wisecracking founder of Montgomery Inn, affectionately nicknamed. (Just in).('The Ribs King' died)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
December 4, 2001... CINCINNATI -- TED GREGORY, wisecracking founder of MONTGOMERY INN, affectionately nicknamed "The Ribs King," died from complications from diabetes, lie was 78. Montgomery Inn's long and successful history began in 1951, when Gregory changed...

Friendly Ice Cream Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... WILBRAHAM, Mass. -- FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORP. said it couldn't complete its scheduled refinancing plan because it was unable to obtain sufficient new financing and its pending tender offer for a portion of its senior notes was undersubscribed....

Elmer's Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(second quarter earnings)(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... PORTLAND, Ore. -- ELMER'S RESTAURANTS INC. posted an 8-percent decline in second-quarter earnings to $256,305, vs. results of the previous-year period. Six-month earnings dipped 3 percent to $571,092. Year-to-date revenue rose 45 percent to...

Ihop Corp., parent of the 1,001-unit International House of Pancakes chain, named former Applebee's president Julia A. Stewart president and chief operating officer. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... GLENDALE, Calif. -- IHOP CORP., parent of the 1,001-unit International House of Pancakes chain, named former Applebee's president JULIA A. STEWART president and chief operating officer, effective Dec. 3. Stewart, who was named a member of...

McDonald's Corp. named Russ Smyth president of its Partner Brands Division, which includes the McDonald's-owned Boston Market. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... OAK BROOK, Ill -- MCDONALD's CORP. named RUSS SMYTH president of its PARTNER BRANDS DIVISION, which includes the McDonald's-owned Boston Market, Donatos Pizze, Aroma Cafe, Chipotle and Pret A Manager chains. lie succeeds JEFF KINDLER, who...

The 31-unit restaurant-and-games chain Dave & Buster's Inc. hired W.C. Hammett Jr. as vice president and chief financial officer. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... DALLAS -- The 31-unit restaurant-and-games chain DAVE & BUSTER'S INC. hired W.C. HAMMETT JR. as vice president and chief financial officer: He replaces CHARLES MICHEL, who resigned from the company Nov. 30. Hammett's career includes stints as...

Correction.(Brief Article)
December 4, 2001... Reuters rea-acted its report quoted in yesterday's Daily News Fax, that former Vice President Al Game had opened a restaurant in Termessee. A transcript of Gore's speech in Lagos, Nigeria, revealed that he said he had "stopped" at a...

Stock Watch.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 4, 2001... STOCK WATCH Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change Close Meritege Hospitelity 12.33 $4.10 Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. 11.98 9.35 CKE Restaurents Inc. ...

Gov. James Ryan. (Just In).(Illinois may outsource foodservice at state institutions)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- GOV. JAMES RYAN said he was considering outsourcing foodservice and other functions at state institutions to private companies as part of a plan to close a $500 million gap in Illinois' state budget, the Bloomington...

Quizno's Corp. (Just In).(shareholder meeting on merger with Firenze Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... DENVER -- QUIZNO'S CORP., citing newly proposed buyout offers from FAGAN CAPITAL INC., said Quizno's convened on Friday and then adjourned a special shareholders meeting called to vote on a going-private merger with FIRENZE CORP., led by...

Salvation Army and Whitsons Inc. (Just In).(coordinating meals for personnel at World Trade Center site)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... NEW YORK -- Restaurants around the World Trade Center site are being invited to participate in the preparation of meals for recovery personnel working there. The program is being coordinated by the SALVATION ARMY and WHITSONS INC., the Long...

Zoza's Fresh Mexican. (Just In).(new Latino-style chain)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... SALT LAKE CITY -- A franchise owner of six area LA SALSA restaurants converted his units into a "nuevo Latino-style" concept called ZOZA'S FRESH MEXICAN. ZoZa's president and chief executive, NEIL BRETON, who also heads DANATA LLC in Park...

Brian Canale. (Just In).(Restaurant appealing decision in child labor case)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... AKRON Ohio -- BRIAN CANALE, president of a small restaurant company here that owns Whitehouse Chicken, Hoppy's and Hopocan Gardens, is appealing some of the fines levied against him by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR for violations of child...

Encounter. (Just In).(Ca One Services opened restaurant in Los Angeles International Airport)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... LOS ANGELES -- The futuristic ENCOUNTER restaurant at Los Angeles International Airport reopened following a two-month closure because of increased airport security after the Sept 11 attacks. The restaurant, located under the intersecting...

Al Gore. (Just In).(entering teaching and restaurant areas)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... LAGOS, Nigeria--Former Vice President AL GORE told an audience here that he has started a new career in the restaurant industry, Reuters reported. In addition to his visiting professorship at a university end a newly assumed vice chairman...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(vice chairman/presidentJames Catalupo selling shares)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... OAK BROOK, Ill.-- MCDONALD'S CORP. vice chairman and president JAMES CANTALUPO, who is set to retire next spring, disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission that he is selling 50,000 McDonald's shares worth about $1.4 million. This...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(various restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... STOCKWATCH (Shares over $3) Pct. Frl. Top Gainers change Close Nathan's Famous Inc. 7.81 $3.45 Bob Evans Farms 7.11 20.34 Panera Bread Co. 6.04 42.82...