Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from December 2001

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from December 2001

Quality Dining Inc. has agreed to sell nine of its 34 Grady's American Grill restaurants for $10.4 million and expects to complete the deal during the second quarter of fiscal 2002. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 31, 2001... MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- QUALITY DINING INC. has agreed to sell nine of its 34 GRADY'S AMERICAN GRILL restaurants for $10.4 million and expects to complete the deal during the second quarter of fiscal 2002. Company officials were not immediately...

Subway Restaurants said it again was named the "No. 1 franchise opportunity" by Entrepreneur magazine, in its 23rd annual Franchise 500 ranking for 2002. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 31, 2001... MILFORD, Conn.-- SUBWAY RESTAURANTS said it again was named the "No. 1 franchise opportunity" by ENTREPRENEUR magazine, in its 23rd annual Franchise 500 ranking for 2002. The recognition has been awarded to the Subway chain in 10 of the past...

Compass Group said it is buying Restorama and Rail Gourmet from Swissair Group for about $59 million. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 31, 2001... LONDON -- COMPASS GROUP said it is buying RESTORAMA and RAIL GOURMET from SWISSAIR GROUP for about $59 million. The purchase price is roughly one-half of what Compass first offered when the two companies began discussing a deal last July, as...

T.G.I. Friday's Inc. said it awarded its national advertising account to New York-based McCann-Erickson. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
December 31, 2001... DALLAS -- T.G.I. FRIDAY'S INC. said it awarded its national advertising account to New York-based MCCANN-ERICKSON. The multimillion-dollar account includes creative, media buying and planning, strategic planning and consumer research for...

Stockwatch. (sharce over $3).(5 biggest winners, 5 biggest losers)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 31, 2001... STOCK WATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Frl. change Close Ark Restaurant Group 18.88 $8.00 Rubio's 10.79 3.49 TBA...

Tricon Global Restaurants. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 28, 2001... LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Providing insight into the aggressive co-branding plan disclosed by KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell parent TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS this month, YORKSHIRE GLOBAL RESTAURANTS chairman and chief executive SIDNEY FELTENSTEIN said his...

Blimpie International Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 28, 2001... NEW YORK--BLIMPIE INTERNATIONAL INC., franchisor of more than 2,000 units mainly under the BLIMPIE SUBS & SALADS brand, said a majority of shareholders approved the going-private sale of the company to an investor group for about $25.8...

Pat O'Brien International Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 28, 2001... NEW ORLEANS -- PAT O'BRIEN'S INTERNATIONAL INC. here has agreed to franchise its bar-restaurant concept in Memphis, Tenn., the fourth market for the 69-year-old concept that popularized the Hurricane drink. The Memphis unit, developed by...

Sysco Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 28, 2001... HOUSTON--SYSCO CORP., the giant foodservice supplier based here, named TIMOTHY R. REED assistant controller and promoted MARK WISNOSKI to assistant vice president of employee benefits. Reed, who joined Sysco in 1987, will have financial...

Ark Restaurants Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
December 28, 2001... NEW YORK--ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. reported a net loss of $6.8 million on net sales of $127.0 million for the fiscal year ended Sept 29, vs. a loss of $3.7 million on sales of $l192 million in the prior year. Income from restaurant operations...

Stockwatch. (Charge Over $3).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 28, 2001... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change Close Diedrich Coffee Co. 10.79 $3.80 Back Yard Burgers Inc. 2.82 3.65 Bob...

Wine and spirits giant Diageo PLC, parent of Miami-based Burger King Corp. (Just In).(considering a management-led buyout of about $2.17 billion)(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... LONDON -- Wine and spirits giant DIAGEO PLC, parent of Miami-based BURGER KING CORP., is considering a BK management-led buyout offer of nearly $2.17 billion for the chain by Burger King chairman and chief executive JOHN DASBURG, according to...

Resolving a long-standing dispute, the state Board of Equalization ruled that Indian tribes. (Just In).(restaurants owned by Indian tribes do not have to collect California's sales tax)(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Resolving a long-standing dispute, the state BOARD OF EQUUALIZATION ruled that Indian tribes in California are not required to collect state and local sales taxes on purchases made in their restaurants. The taxes, which...

Stonewood Holdings LLC, which has opened nine upscale-casual Stonewood Tavern & Grill units in Florida and North Carolina. (Just In).(Florida-based restaurant chain to debut new menus)(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... ORMOND BEACH, Fla. -- STONEWOOD HOLDINGS LLC, which has opened nine upscale-casual STONEWOOD TAVERN & GRILL units in Florida and North Carolina since its launch in 1999, said it will debit a breakfast-and-lunch concept called PEACH VALLEY...

Advantica Restaurant Group Inc., parent of the Denny's, Coco's and Carrows chain. (Executive Suite).(Charles F. Moran named interim chairman)(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- ADVANTICA RESTAURANT GROUP INC., parent of the Denny's, Coco's and Carrows chain, said its board named CHARLES F. MORAN interim chairman to succeed JAMES B. ADAMSON, whose planned retirement was effective Dec. 21....

Eateries Inc. named Jaroslav Lajos vice president of management and information systems. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... EDMOND, Okla. -- EATERIES INC. named JAROSLAV LAJOS vice president of management and information systems. The operator and franchisor of the Garfield's Restaurant and Pub, Garcia's Mexican Restaurants and Pepperoni Grill chains promoted Lajos...

Sysco Corp., North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, said Bruce L. Soltis was elected senior vice president for Canadian foodservice operations. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 27, 2001... HOUSTON -- SYSCO CORP., North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, said BRUCE L. SOLTIS was elected senior vice president for Canadian foodservice operations, a post he will assume upon the expected first-quarter closing of...

Good Times Restaurants Inc., operator and franchisor of 35 restaurants mainly under the name Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 27, 2001... GOLDEN, Colo. -- GOOD TIMES RESTAURANTS INC., operator and franchisor of 35 restaurants mainly under the name GOOD TIMES BURGERS & FROZEN CUSTARD, reported a fiscal 2001 loss of $81,000, vs. a loss of $274,000 last year. Revenue for the year...

Stock Watch (charge over $3).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 27, 2001... STOCK WATCH (charge over $3) Pct. Wed. Change Close Top Gainers Total Entertainment 14.43 $3.49 Buca Inc. 7.89 15.70 AFC...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will abandon its 1994 Indoor Air Quality Standard. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION will abandon its 1994 Indoor Air Quality Standard, which would have required costly operational and ventilation charges to restaurants nationwide, according to the NATIONAL...

Interfoods of America Inc., a 165-unit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits operator whose acquisition of 108 branches. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... MIAMI -- INTERFOODS OF AMERICA INC., a 165-unit POPEYES CHICKEN & BISCUITS operator whose acquisition of 108 branches last year made it the chain's largest domestic franchisee, said chief executive ROBERT S. BERG and president STEVEN M....

Quizno's Corp. said its merger with privately held Firenze Corp., formed by leaders of Quizno's senior management. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... DENVER -- QUIZNO'S CORP. said its merger with privately held FIRENZE CORP., formed by leaders of Quizno's senior management, was completed upon approval of a shareholder majority, and stock of the 1,300-unit sandwich chain operator ceased...

Dutchess-Putnam Restaurant and Traern Association, Cutillo's Restaurant in Kent, N.Y., and Highlander's Hub of Philipstown. (Just In).(smoking ban overturned in Putnam County, New York)(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... NEW YORK -- A U.S. District Court judge threw out a year-old smoking ban by upstate Putnam County, stating that the local Board of Health had exceeded its powers in implementing the ban. The prohibition had been challenged by the...

Olive Garden plans to open its second dinnerhouse in the New York. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... ORLANDO, Fla. -- OLIVE GARDEN plans to open its second dinnerhouse in the New York borough of Manhattan next year. Olive Garden's director of media, STEVE COE, said the Chelsea area restaurant will have the chain's new Tuscan Pamihouse...

CKE Restaurants Inc. and Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, whose brands include La Salsa. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC. and SANTA BARBARA RESTAURANT GROUP, whose brands include La Salsa, Timber Lodge Steakhouse and Green Burrito, signed a definitive merger agreement for CKE's previously reported plan to purchase...

A group of alumni and friends have established the James C. Doherty Scholarship Endowment at the University of Denver. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... DENVER -- A group of alumni and friends have established the JAMES C. DOHERTY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT at the UNIVERSITY OF DENVER for students enrolled in its School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Doherty, who attended DU on a...

Burger King Corp. rolled out its new Hickory Bacon Cheddar Burger. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 26, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. rolled out its new Hickory Bacon Cheddar Burger, available through Jan. 13, at the chain's U.S. restaurants. Customers can choose from one, two, or three 2.2-ounce flame-broiled hamburger patties topped with...

Stock Watch (charge over $3).(food service industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 26, 2001... STOCK WATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change Close Diedrich Coffee Co. 13.33 $3.74 Friendly Ice Cream Corp. 10.67 4.15...

Landry's Seafood Restaurants Inc. (Just In).(Interested in acquiring Planet Hollywood)(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... ORLANDO, Fla. -- An attorney representing Houston-based LANDRY'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS INC. told the Orlando Sentinel the company is interested in acquiring the PLANET HOLLYWOOD chain out of Chapter 11 reorganization for an undisclosed sum....

Gilbert Feliciano. (Just In).(Sues Universal City Development Partners)(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... ORLANDO, Fla. -- New York businessman GILBERT FELICIANO field suit in Orange County Circuit Court here claiming fraud and breach of contract in the alleged theft of his Latin-them club and restaurant concept by UNIVERSAL CITY DEVELOPMENT...

Friendly Ice Cream Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Restructuring, financing by GE Capital Franchise Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... WILBRAHAM, Mass. -- FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORP. said it successfully completed its financial restructuring plan, which it expects will generate an aftertax benefit of about $700,000 in its current fourth quarter. Friendly recently said it didn't...

McDonald's Co. Japan Ltd. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... TOKYO - MCDONALD'S CO. JAPAN LTD., less than six months after completing its initial public offering, said founder and longtime leader DEN FUJITA, 75, was stepping down as president but would remain chief executive and chairman, Reuters...

Burger King Corp. (Marketing Matters).(And Marvel Enterprises team up for promotions)(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. is teaming with MARVEL ENTERPRISES INC. for an 'X-Men" Big Kids' Meal promotion, set to begin Dec. 31. Meals will include collectible figures and mini CD-ROMs based on characters in Marvel's animated series 'X-Men:...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)
December 21, 2001... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Thurs. Top Gainers change Close Ark Restaurant Group 7.90 $6.69 Friendly Ice Cream Corp. 7.45 3.75 California Pizza Kitchen ...

Fairmont Capital Inc., parent of the Oregon-based Shari's chain. (Just In).(will not acquire ICH Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... ANAHEIM Calif. -- FAIRMONT CAPITAL INC., parent of the Oregon-based Shari's chain, said it withdrew its offer to acquire 2/40-unit ARBY'S franchisee ICH CORP. and take it private for 75 cents a share after conducting "certain due diligence,"...

Wingstop Restaurants Inc. since Monday has inked agreements with eight franchisees. (Just In).(for new Wingstop restaurants)(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... GARLAND, Texas -- WINGSTOP RESTAURANTS INC. since Monday has inked agreements with eight franchisees for 15 new Wingstop restaurants. Six of the new units would be in Texas, two in Miami, in St. Louis, three in Louisiana and one in Okla....

Jillian's Entertainment Corp. promoted president and chief operating officer Daniel M. Smith to chief executive. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- JILLIAN'S ENTERTAINMENT CORP. promoted president and chief operating officer DANIEL M. SMITH to chief executive. Smith had served as president and COO since he joined Jillian's, a chain of dining and entertainment complexes...

Bess Eaton Coffee Bake Shop named George Cioe president and chief executive. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... WESTERLY, R.I. -- BESS EATON COFFEE BAKE SHOP named GEORGE CIOE president and chief executive, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Cioe, who currently is the chain's vice president and chief operating officer, succeeds president LOUIS GENCARELLI SR, who...

Morgan's Foods Inc., a franchisee of 76 KFCs, seven Taco Bells and 20 co-branded units. (Financial Briefs).(3rd-quarter earnings)(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- MORGAN'S FOODS INC., a franchisee of 76 KFCs, seven Taco Bells and 20 co-branded units, reported third-quarter earnings of $552,000, vs. a loss of $538,000 in the year-ago period, which included a charge of $133,000 for the...

The Justice Department approved Suiza Foods Corp.'s plan to purchase rival Dean Foods Co. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
December 20, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The JUSTICE DEPARTMENT approved SUIZA FOODS CORP.'s plan to purchase rival DEAN FOODS CO. after the two companies said they would sell 11 dairy processing plants in eight states. Dallas-based Suiza and Dean, which is...

Stockwatch (charge over $3).(restaurant industry stock price movements)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 20, 2001... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change Close Santa Barbara Rest Group 8.51 $4.08 Schlotzaky's Inc. 8.36 6.48 Krispy...

Ted's montana grill. (Just in).(opening prototype restaurant in Columbus, OH)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... COLUMBUS, Ohio-- The much-anticipated prototype of TED'S MONTANA GRILL, an Atlanta-based joint venture of media icon TED TURNER and casual-steakhouse pioneer GEORGE MCKERROW JR, founder of LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE and RARE HOSPITALITY, is...

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. (Just in).(HMSHOST opens On Stage Cleveland restaurant)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... CLEVELAND -- Concessionaire HMSHOST launched the rock-'n'-roll-theme restaurant ON STAGE CLEVELAND at CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Located in the airport's main atrium, On Stage Cleveland boasts a menu of "Start Me Up" breakfasts...

Champps Entertainment Inc. (Just in).(speciality dessert program raises money to aid victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- CHAMPPS ENTERTAINMENT INC. raised $43,166 in a six-week-long speciality dessert program implemented by the company for a limited time to aid victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The proceeds were generated by apple...

Damon's International. (Just in).(opens three more Damon's Grill restaurants)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DAMON'S INTERNATIONAL franchisees opened three DAMON'S GRILL locations in Tennessee, Florida and Indiana, marking a total of 15 new openings this year and bringing the chain's total to 141 units. According to president and...

Sonic Corp. (Financial Briefs).(hires Arthur Andersen as independent accountant)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... OKLAHOMA CITY -- SONIC CORP. hired ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP to serve as the company's independent accountant, replacing ERNST & YOUNG LLP, which had served as Sonic's accountant since 1984, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange...

Wendy's International Inc. (E-Business).(to Hughes Network Systems to provide satellite communications between North American outlets)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. hired HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS to provide broadband, satellite communications linking the Columbus-based chain operator and franchisor with its 1,200 North American company-run outlets, Hughes...

Burger King Corp. (Marketing Matters).(sweepstake campaign tied to Harlem Globetrotters)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. is gearing for its national Harlem Globetrotters Sweepstakes, which begins Dec. 24 and runs through Feb. 2. Customers enter the sweepstakes by completing a special entry from on bags or trayliners from participating...

Stock Watch.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 19, 2001... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Tues. Top Gainers change Close Benihana Inc. 10.00 $13.75 CKE Restaurants Inc. 9.44 8.46 Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. ...

Buca Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... MINNEAPOLIS -- BUCA INC. disclosed an agreement to acquire the nine-unit VINNY TESTA'S Italian dinnerhouse chain, based in Boston, for $18 million in cash. Buca, which has 68 dinner houses nationwide, plans to glow the Vinny Testa's brand in...

Blimpie-Maui Tacos. (Just In).(co-branded unit opened in Ridgewood, NJ)(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... RIDGEWOOD, N.J.--A co-branded BLIMPIE-MAUI TACOS unit opened here last week on East Ridgewood Avenue. Owned by franchisees VICTOR OLIVETI and RUSS MARIA -- who is Blimpie's director of opertions for northern New Jersey -- the combo store is...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... DENVER -- A Greenwood Village, Colo., woman is suing MCDONALD'S CORP. over a terrorist attack in France that she says left her permanently disabled. NELL SANDERS ASPERO, who is acting as her own attorney; filed a suit in federal court her...

Darden Restaurants Inc. (Just In).(has building plans in Pittsburgh)(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... PITTSBURGH -- DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. plans to build all four of its concepts -- Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar -- on an approximately nine-acre plot of land that the company purchased near the...

Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group. (Just In).(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... CHICAGO -- The WOLFGANG PUCK FINE DINING GROUP is partnering with local nightclub impresario DION ANTIC to create a new upscale lounge, called CHAISE, in an underused portion of the SPAGO restaurant here. The street-level lounge, which...

Famous Dave's of America. (Just In).(signed two agreements)(Brief Article)
December 18, 2001... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA signed two agreements for eight new franchised restaurants. The pacts call for the 55-unit barbecue chain to sell four of its company-owned units to the two franchisees for a total price of...

Stockwatch (charge over $3).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 18, 2001... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change Close Ryans Family Steak 6.73 $23.01 Morton's Rest. Group 5.44 11.05 Flanigan Ents. ...

Tricon Global Restaurants. (Just In).(announces market strategy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... NEW YORK -- TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS, owner of the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands, said it is pursuing a strategy that would enable it to have multiple brands at all of its nearly 20,000 restaurant locations in the United States. The...

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Just In).(reports status of electricity contract between Carl's Jr. and Enron Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... ANAHEIM, Calif. -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC., parent of the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. burger chains, said it has not yet been notified whether CARL'S JR.'s fixed-cost electricity contract with ENRON CORP. will be rejected in the aftermath of the...

KFC Corp. (Just In).(closes 25 restaurants in Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico; seeks new franchise operators)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- KFC CORP. is closing 25 franchised restaurants in Arkansas, Texas and New Mexico and seeking operators to reopen them on the heels of the Aug. 30 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by four corporations owned by franchisee ROBERT...

National Restaurant Association. (Just In).(restaurant industry forecast for sales in 2001; U.S.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... WASHINGTON -- In a report scheduled for release today, the NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION is confirming that industrywide sales in 2001 will fall short of projections but still will grow by an inflation-adjusted 0.8 percent to $392.49...

McDonald's Corp. (Financial Briefs).(reports decreased profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. faces its fifth consecutive quarter of decreased profits, according to the fast-food giant's fourth-quarter interim update. McDonald's said it expects to earn between 21 cents and 22 cents per share for the...

Stockwatch.(chain restaurant stock prices)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
December 17, 2001... Stockwatch (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change Close Smith and Wollenaky 6.27 $3.90 Darden Restaurants Inc. 6.19 36.36...

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (Just In).(case filed for discrimination against African Americans)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2001... LEBANON, Tenn. -- Officials of 450-unit CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE INC. said it would vigorously defend itself against charges in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by 21 African-Americans in ferderal court yesterday in Rome, Ga....

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Inc. (Just In).(California Public Employees Retirement System law suit)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 14, 2001... WICHITA, Kan -- LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON INC. said in current and former board members who were named in a lawsuit filed by the nation's largest pension fund, the CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, asked the Delaware Chancery...

Shamrock Investment Restaurants. (Just In).(contracts with franchisees in Indiana)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2001... INDIANAPOLIS -- SHAMROCK INVESTMENT RESTAURANTS, broker for 80-unit ROLY POLY in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, signed contracts to bring the Jacksonville, Fla.-based rolled-sandwich concept to three on-site venues in Indiana. Shamrock. CEO...

Frontier Airlines. (Just In).(resumes meal services for flights over 90 minutes)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2001... DENVER -- FRONTIER AIRLINES resumed the service of meals on all flights of 90 minutes or more. Meal service was suspended since. Oct 1 as a security and cost-cutting measure. Frontier, based at Denver International Airport, serves 25 cities.

Darden Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(reports record net earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 14, 2001... ORLANDO, Fla. -- DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC., said same-store sales growth of 6.1 percent at RED LOBSTER and 5.9 percent at OLIVE GARDEN in the second quarter ended Nay. 25 led to record net earnings for the period of $36.5 million, vs. $29.5...

Compass Group PLC. (Financial Briefs).(announces sales and pre-tax operating profit; discloses the signing of new contracts)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 14, 2001... LONDON -- Citing preliminary year-end results, COMPASS GROUP PLC said its business in North America grew 8 percent in the past fiscal year Revenue of the world's largest foodservice management firm rose 6 percent in the United Kingdom, and...

Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(reports record profits for fiscal year 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 14, 2001... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS INC., owner and operater of 62 namesake restaurants, reported record annual profits in fiscal 2001 of $24 million, from the previous year's earnings of $182,605. Fourth-quarter earnings were...

P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. (Executive Suite).(Kristina Cashman appointment)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2001... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO INC. promoted KRISTINA CASHMAN to chief financial officer, succeeding BERT VIVIAN, who continues as president Cashman most recently was director of finance and corporate secretary.

Stock Watch (Charge Over $3).(restaurant and food service industry stock prices)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
December 14, 2001... STOCK WATCH (Charge Over $3) Pct. Thurs. Top Gainers Change Close Checkers Drive-In Rests. 7.72 $6.84 Total Entertainment 5.00 3.15 Flanigan Ents. ...

Maude Chasen. (Just in).(died)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... LOS ANGELES-MAUDE CHASEN, glamorous hostess to an elite clientele of Hollywood icons and political gaints for nearly half a century at the legendary Chasen's, died here Dec. 8 of pneumonia. She was 97. Chasen retired about five years before...

Quizno's corp. (Just in).(merger)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... DENVER--QUIZNO'S CORP. said the Dec. 11 deadline set by its special committee of directors expired without FAGAN CAPITAL INC. "entering into an agreement more favorable to the company's public shareholders than the Firenze merger." Fagan had...

Seattle coffee co. (Just in).(contract with Borders Books)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... ATLANTA - SEATTLE COFFEE CO. and the 360-unit BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC chain converted three Borders cafes here into SEATILE'S BEST COFFEE outlets. The retooling establishes "a localized relationship" the brands, according to Borders store...

Papa John's international inc. (Financial briefs).(sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... LOUISVILLE, Ky. - PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL INC. Said domestic systemwide same-store sales fell 5.4 percent for the four weeks ended Nov. 25, including a 3.9-percent decline at franchised units and a 9.6-percent fall at company-owned unites,...

Benihana inc. (Financial briefs).(secondary public offering)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... MIAMI -- BENIHANA INC. completed a secondary public offering of 1 million shares of its Class A common stock, generating net proceeds of $10.7 million. The company will use the proceeds to reduce bank debt, build or acquire additional...

Chart house enterprises inc. (Financial briefs).(Brief Article)
December 13, 2001... CHICAGO -- CHART HOUSE ENTERPRISES INC. said it hired. US. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY to explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the 45-unit dimenhouse operator. The company, saying the New York Stock Exchange intends to...

Aramark. (Financial briefs).(stock)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... PHILADELPHIA - The stock of ARAMARK, in its first day of trading as a public company, finished more than 10 percent higher than its opening price of $23 on the New York Stock Exchange, Aramark' closed at $25.40. The company, which has...

Sonic corp. (E-Business).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... OKLAHOMA CITY -- SONIC CORP. entered into a venture with GOw to make information about the chain's 2,300 drive-in locations available on wireless platforms and devices. Go2, an Livine, Calif.-based wireless location-based directory and...

EL torito restaurants inc. (E-Business).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 13, 2001... LONG BEACH, Calif. - EL TORITO RESTAURANTS INC. is launching its fast online promotion this month. Visitors to the company's Website can download a certificate worth $10 off of any meal totaling $25 or more at any El Torito or El Torito Grill...

Stock watch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
December 13, 2001... Stock watch (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change change California Pizza Kitchen 4.75 $22.72 Buca Inc. 4.24 14.25 Friendly Ice...

Burger king corp. (Just in).(to assist franchises find buyers or refinancing)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP., acknowledging pressures posed by its systemwide sales decline, said the company will help several expansion-debt-strapped franchisees find refinancing or prospective buyers from among the chain's stronger...

Apple American group LLC. (Just in).(acquires Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar units)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... CLEVELAND -- APPLE AMERICAN GROUP LLC, a newly formed Applebee's franchisee, acquired 73 APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBOURHOOD GRILL & BAR units from a group of entities managed by STRANG CORP., based here, and FRANCHISE EQUITY CAPITAL LLC of Seattle. The...

Compass group Plc. (Just in).(possible acquisition of Seiyo Food Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2001... LONDON -- COMPASS GROUP PLC is offering 440 yen -- about $3.50 -- per share to acquire the outstanding stock of Japanese management firm SEIYO FOOD SYSTEMS INC., an arm of the SAISON conglomerate's SEIBU DEPARTMENT STORES that operates the...