Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from December 2005, page 2

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from December 2005

New York--a fund controlled by the top two executives of Triarc Cos., Arby's parent company, has amassed 5.5 percent of Wendy's International shares with the intent of forcing "radical" changes at the 6,000-unit burger chain, The New York Times reported.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- A fund controlled by the top two executives of TRIARC COS., ARBY'S parent company, has amassed 5.5 percent of WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL shares with the intent of forcing "radical" changes at the 6,000-unit burger chain, The New York...

Miami--Burger King franchisees are expected to vote Wednesday to roll out a $1 menu in February, according to Dow Jones.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2005... MIAMI -- BURGER KING franchisees are expected to vote Wednesday to roll out a $1 menu in February, according to Dow Jones. As previously reported, Burger King has been testing at least two value menus, including one in Los Angeles featuring...

Louisville, Ky. -- Don Marsh, former president of the American Society for Healthcare food Service Administrators, died Dec. 12 after a long battle with cancer. American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
December 14, 2005... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- DON MARSH, former president of the AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE FOOD SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS, died Dec. 12 after a long battle with cancer. REGINA TOOMEY BUENO, ASHFSA president, said Marsh "was truly a trailblazer in...

Buffalo Wild Wings.(marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
December 14, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- BUFFALO WILD WINGS, in its first national marketing campaign, has partnered with ESPNU, the college sports network of ESPN. ESPNU will support Buffalo Wild Wings, based here, with advertisements on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN.com and...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 14, 2005... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC., which operates or franchises 335 doughnut-and-coffee restaurants, said Tuesday it expects to report a net loss for the third quarter ended Oct. 30 and that revenues for the period are...

Nashville, Tenn. -- Logan's Roadhouse, based here, named Christopher Plunkett senior vice president of operations, effective Jan. 3. Logan's Roadhouse.(Brief Article)
December 14, 2005... NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE, based here, named CHRISTOPHER PLUNKETT senior vice president of operations, effective Jan. 3. He places JOHN LUSH, who left in June. Plunkett is an industry veteran who spent 29 years with Red Lobster,...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 14, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change close AFC Enterprises 13.03 $16.13 Benihana 6.80 22.14 Mexican Restaurants 3.91...

Canton, Mass.--a consortium of Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, Burger King co-owner Bain Capital Partners and one-time Chi-Chi's owner Carlyle Group signed a "definitive" agreement to buy Canton-based Dunkin' Brands Inc.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... CANTON, Mass. -- A consortium of THOMAS H. LEE PARTNERS LP, Burger King co-owner BAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS and one-time Chi-Chi's owner CARLYLE GROUP signed a "definitive" agreement to buy Canton-based DUNKIN' BRANDS INC. from French distiller...

McDonald's Corp.(opens its first drive-thru restaurant in China)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... DONGGUAN, Guangdong -- MCDONALD'S CORP. opened its first drive-thru restaurant in China in the central business district here, following through on plans announced earlier this year. The world's largest burger chain, based in Oak Brook, Ill.,...

Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Pima County, Ariz., Board of Supervisors is reportedly scheduled to consider new water conservation rules today that might include a ban on misters often used by restaurants to cool outdoor seating areas. Most of the...

New York--union organizers from Unite Here Local 100 said they planned to picket Lackmann Culinary Services today at the headquarters of U.S. Trust in midtown Manhattan.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- Union organizers from UNITE HERE LOCAL 100 said they planned to picket LACKMANN CULINARY SERVICES today at the headquarters of U.S. Trust in midtown Manhattan, where the on-site foodservice contractor operates the company's...

Seattle, Wash.--Spud Fish And Chips in West Seattle, reputed to be this city's oldest fast-food restaurant, recently marked its 70th anniversary with a mayoral proclamation, promotional menu items and a celebration.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... SEATTLE, Wash. -- SPUD FISH AND CHIPS in west Seattle, reputed to be this city's oldest fast-food restaurant, recently marked its 70th anniversary with a mayoral proclamation, promotional menu items and a celebration. Founded in 1935 by the...

American Airlines.(to launch Food on Board snack boxes)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2005... FORTWORTH, Texas -- AMERICAN AIRLINES launched new Food on Board snack boxes available for purchase by passengers on more than 700 domestic flights longer than three hours and departing from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The company said the new snacks...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 13, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change close AFC Enterprises 13.03 $16.13 Benihana 6.80 22.14 Mexican Restaurants 3.91...

Oak Brook, Ill.--McDonald's Corp.'s sanctioned U.S. franchisee group, the National Leadership Council, said it opposes McDonald's shareholder Pershing Square Capital Management's proposal that the company restructure its business by spinning off a majority of its company-owned restaurants into a separate entity.(JUST IN)
December 12, 2005... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP.'s sanctioned U.S. franchisee group, the NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, said it opposes McDonald's shareholder PERSHING SQUARE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT's proposal that the company restructure its business by...

Atlanta--MOE's Southwest Grill, based here, last month signed deals with franchisees that call for them to open 15 branches of the fast-casual chain, according to its parent company Raving Brands.(JUST IN)
December 12, 2005... ATLANTA -- MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL, based here, last month signed deals with franchisees that call for them to open 15 branches of the fast-casual chain, according to its parent company RAVING BRANDS. There were 275 Moe's open and an additional...

Brinker International Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 12, 2005... DALLAS -- BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC., which operates or franchises 1,637 restaurants, including the 1,129-unit Chili's Grill & Bar, reported a 3-percent increase from year earlier results in its blended same-store sales for the four weeks...

Bob Evans Farms Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 12, 2005... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- BOB EVANS FARMS INC. reported a 2.2-percent same-store sales decline at the Bob Evans family-dining chain and a 0.5-percent same-store sales drop at the Mimi's Cafe casual-dining restaurants for the four weeks ended Nov. 25....

Atlanta--Five Burger King franchisees who headed the independent National Franchisee Association of BK operators, based here, have resigned their elected posts, only a few months after Burger King Corp.'s senior management severed relations with them and reallocated an annual $1 million subsidy from the NFA to BK's advertising fund, effective next year.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)
December 12, 2005... ATLANTA -- Five Burger King franchisees who headed the independent NATIONAL FRANCHISEE ASSOCIATION of BK operators, based here, have resigned their elected posts, only a few months after BURGER KING CORP.'s senior management severed relations...

Firehouse Subs.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)
December 12, 2005... MANDARIN, Fla. -- FIREHOUSE SUBS, operator or franchisor of 200 fast-casual sandwich units, named GREGORY BROWN, former operations vice president of Mid-America Roly Poly, to the newly created post of franchise compliance manager.

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 12, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Fri. Top Gainers change close Dave & Buster's 14.73 $17.45 AFC Enterprises 12.36 14.27 Benihana ...

Washington--a bill that would increase the fine for hiring an illegal alien to at least $2,000 has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Jim Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.(JUST IN)
December 9, 2005... WASHINGTON -- A bill that would increase the fine for hiring an illegal alien to at least $2,000 has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by JIM SENSENBRENNER, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Because of the...

Dallas--Dave & Busters Inc., the operator here of 46 dining-and-arcade facilities, has agreed to be acquired for $375 million by the New Yorks private equity firm Wellspring Capital Management LLC.(JUST IN)
December 9, 2005... DALLAS -- DAVE & BUSTERS INC., the operator here of 46 dining-and-arcade facilities, has agreed to be acquired for $375 million by the New Yorks private equity firm WELLSPRING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC. The going-private transaction is expected...

Irving, Texas--CEC Entertainment Inc., owner and franchisor of the 507-unit Chuck E. Cheese's chain, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday announced the voluntary recall of about 144,000 plastic siren whistles.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 9, 2005... IRVING, Texas -- CEC ENTERTAINMENT INC., owner and franchisor of the 507-unit CHUCK E. CHEESE'S chain, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday announced the voluntary recall of about 144,000 plastic siren whistles. The...

LaMar's Donuts Franchise Co.(JUST IN)
December 9, 2005... DENVER -- LAMAR'S DONUTS FRANCHISE CO., based here, partnered with Frontier Airlines to offer passengers LaMar's donuts. The LaMar's Apple Spice cake donut was the first item served to passengers on Dec. 1. The company said that in subsequent...

McDonald's Corp.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
December 9, 2005... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. said global comparable sales climbed 4 percent for the month of November, including gains of 4.8 percent in the United States, 0.1 percent in Europe and 7.1 percent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa...

Papa John's International Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 9, 2005... LOUISVILLE Ky. -- PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL INC., operator or franchisor of 2,903 pizza restaurants, said its board of directors approved both a two-for-one stock split and a $25 million increase in the company's share buyback authorization....

Panera Bread Co.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 9, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- PANERA BREAD CO. said systemwide same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 29 rose 7.7 percent. Same-store sales increased 7.5 percent for company-owned bakery-cafes and 7.7 percent for franchise units.

Oak Brook, Ill.--McDonald's Corp., based here, has selected Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP Embedded operating system as the software platform for the 30,000-plus-unit, quick-service chain's next-generation point-of-sale system, Microsoft said.(SUPPLIER NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 9, 2005... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP., based here, has selected Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP Embedded operating system as the software platform for the 30,000-plus-unit, quick-service chain's next-generation point-of-sale system, Microsoft...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 9, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Thurs. Top Gainers change close Mexican Restaurants 7.16 $10.93 Papa John's 6.01 59.10 Main Street Rest....

Food Safety Commission.(JUST IN)
December 8, 2005... TOKYO -- Japan is expected to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports on Dec. 12, according to published reports. The lifting of the ban marks an end to a two-year stand-off between the United States and Japan over the presence of Bovine Spongiform...

McDonald's Corp.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2005... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. has halted a test of in-store kiosks where customers can burn music onto CDs, print out photos from digital cameras, or download ring tones. A spokeswoman declined to say why the test was discontinued,...

Canton, Mass.--The bidding for Dunkin' Donuts and Pernod Ricard Sa's other restaurant brands reportedly has narrowed to three private-equity groups.(JUST IN)
December 8, 2005... CANTON, Mass. -- The bidding for DUNKIN' DONUTS and PERNOD RICARD SA's other restaurant brands reportedly has narrowed to three private-equity groups. TEXAS PACIFIC, a co-owner of BURGER KING, is no longer among them, according to a report...

Washington Restaurant Association.(JUST IN)
December 8, 2005... OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington restaurateurs will be ready to comply when the state's new ban on smoking in all public places and workplaces begins Dec. 8, said officials of the WASHINGTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, who are urging consumers to...

Illinois Restaurant Association.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2005... CHICAGO -- The Chicago City Council passed a smoking ban by a vote of 46-1 that will prohibit smoking in all public places. Restaurants must comply by Jan. 18, 2006, while taverns--where 65 percent of sales is derived from alcoholic...

HMSHOST.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2005... BETHESDA, Md. -- HMSHOST, the travel industry contract feeder and facilities management specialist based here, inked a pact to develop and operate food and beverage concessions at 12 travel plazas located along the New York State Thruway....

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 8, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Wed. Top Gainers change close Flanigan's Enterprises 6.73 $10.46 Buca 5.64 5.81 Star Buffet ...

New York -- McDonald's franchisees are split on whether the franchisor should spin off its company-operated stores into a separate business, according to a survey conducted by Buckingham Research Group analyst Mark Kalinowski.(JUST IN)
December 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- MCDONALD'S franchisees are split on whether the franchisor should spin off its company-operated stores into a separate business, according to a survey conducted by Buckingham Research Group analyst MARK KALINOWSKI. In a canvass of...

Louisville, Colo. -- Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc., based here, said it will debut a new prototype for its Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery concept on Dec. 15.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... LOUISVILLE, Colo. -- ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANTS INC., based here, said it will debut a new prototype for its ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY concept on Dec. 15. The model unit will be the chain's 30th. "We are very proud of this restaurant. Its...

Tampa, Fla. -- Capital Resource Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, has provided $11 million to finance expansion of the 10-unit Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse chain, according to the advisor in the deal, Hyde Park Capital Advisors LLC here.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... TAMPA, Fla. -- CAPITAL RESOURCE PARTNERS, a Boston-based private equity firm, has provided $11 million to finance expansion of the 10-unit SAM SELTZER'S STEAKHOUSE chain, according to the advisor in the deal, HYDE PARK CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC...

Westin Hotels.(JUST IN)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- WESTIN HOTELS said all 77 of its hotels in North America will ban smoking throughout the properties as of Jan. 1, making it the first hotel chain in the United States to go smoke-free. Guests who violate the ban will...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Shares of KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC. rose 7.9 percent Tuesday to close at $5.99, on nearly four times the average trading volume. Prior to settling at its closing price, the Winston-Salem-based company's stock had...

Orlando, Fla. -- Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, the 117-unit mountain lodge theme brand launched in 1999 by Darden Restaurants Inc. here, significantly expanded its grill menu on Monday, adding seven items to a selection known for pulled pork platters, smoked St. Louis-style ribs, skillet cornbread and beer-battered onion rings.(MARKETING MATTERS)
December 7, 2005... ORLANDO, Fla. -- SMOKEY BONES BARBEQUE & GRILL, the 117-unit mountain lodge theme brand launched in 1999 by DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. here, significantly expanded its grill menu on Monday, adding seven items to a selection known for pulled pork...

Quality Dining Inc.(John C. Firth and Fitzpatrick B. Daniel promoted)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... MISHIWAKA, Ind. -- QUALITY DINING INC., a Burger King and Chili's franchisee based here, has promoted JOHN C. FIRTH to president, succeeding DANIEL B. FITZPATRICK, who remains chief executive and chairman. Firth was previously executive vice...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Tues. Top Gainers change close Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 7.93 5.99 Buca 7.84 5.50 AFC...

Zaxby.(launches its 300th restaurant )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... ATHENS, Ga. -- ZAXBY'S launched its 300th restaurant in Dallas, Ga., on Monday. The fast-casual restaurant chain, based here, operates and franchises locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South...

Chicago--HC Restaurant Group, operator of the Harry Caray's steakhouse and 10Pin Bowling Lounge here, has been named the local franchisee of the Trader Vic's Polynesian-themed chain, according to published reports.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... CHICAGO -- HC RESTAURANT GROUP, operator of the HARRY CARAY'S steakhouse and 10PIN BOWLING LOUNGE here, has been named the local franchisee of the TRADER VIC'S Polynesian-themed chain, according to published reports. HC, based here, will open...

Port City Java.(opens its third unit)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... WILMINGTON, N.C. -- PORT CITY JAVA, based here, debuted its third unit in the Charleston, S.C., market. Additional sites are being evaluated in the area, the company said. "Charleston is a significant market for Port City Java to achieve...

Carlsbad, Calif.--Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, based here, signed a four-year contract to open its first two in-arena units in early 2006 in Anaheim, Calif., at Arrowhead Pond, the home of the Mighty Ducks hockey team.(MARKETING MATTERS)
December 6, 2005... CARLSBAD, Calif. -- RUBIO'S FRESH MEXICAN GRILL, based here, signed a four-year contract to open its first two in-arena units in early 2006 in Anaheim, Calif., at ARROWHEAD POND, the home of the Mighty Ducks hockey team. As part of the...

Cici's Pizza.(exhibit at the Dallas )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... COPPELL, Texas -- CICI'S PIZZA, based here, debuted a permanent exhibit at the Dallas Children's Museum to teach children about math, the company said. The exhibit, which is called "A Slice of Pizza, A Slice of Math," creates a pizza parlor...

Denny's Corp.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 6, 2005... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- DENNY'S CORP., which operates 544 family restaurants and franchises 1,036 units, said same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 23 rose 2.2 percent at company-owned restaurants. The check average increased 5.7...

Ryan's Restaurant Group Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 6, 2005... GREER, S.C. -- RYAN'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC., operator of 339 grill-buffet restaurants, said same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 30 rose 1.7 percent. Total sales increased 3 percent to $62.7 million for the period.

Yum! Brands Inc.(Greg Creed and DaveDeno appointed)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- YUM! BRANDS INC., based here, appointed GREG CREED to the position of chief operating officer, replacing DAVE DENO, who resigned for personal reasons. Most recently Creed served as chief marketing officer for Yum subsidiary...

Western Sizzlin Corp.(Sardar Biglari, Philip L. Cooley and Paul D. Sonkin appointed)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2005... ROANOKE, Va. -- WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP., based here, named three members to its board of directors, effective Dec. 1. The new board members are SARDAR BIGLARI, DR. PHILIP L. COOLEY, and PAUL D. SONKIN. Biglari is chairman and chief executive of...

Stockwatch.(restaurant industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 6, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change close Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 11.67 5.55 New World Rest. Group 5.94 5.35 Host America ...

Dublin, Ohio--Wendy's International said Jack Schuessler, chairman and chief executive, and Kerrii Anderson, chief financial officer, would not be awarded 2005 bonuses due to impairment charges and other strategic initiatives.(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... DUBLIN, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL said JACK SCHUESSLER, chairman and chief executive, and KERRII ANDERSON, chief financial officer, would not be awarded 2005 bonuses due to impairment charges and other strategic initiatives. According to...

Arnaud's.(JUST IN)
December 5, 2005... NEW ORLEANS -- ARNAUD'S, the 87-year-old fixture of New Orleans dining, re-opened on Thursday with dinner-only service. Executive chef TOMMYDIGIOVANNI said much of the staff was dislocated by the Aug. 29 Hurricane Katrina, and the biggest...

Atlanta--Church's Chicken launched a new website, www.churchs.com, as part of a new interactive and digital marketing strategy to reach consumers and potential franchisees.(JUST IN)
December 5, 2005... ATLANTA -- CHURCH'S CHICKEN launched a new website, www.churchs.com, as part of a new interactive and digital marketing strategy to reach consumers and potential franchisees. The redesigned page uses characters named Spicy Chicken and...

Qdoba Mexican Grill.(Qdoba Restaurant Corp. appoints Ted Stoner)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... DENVER -- QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL, a fast-casual chain based here with more than 260 units recently hired TED STONER as director of strategic product development, a newly created position dedicated to menu development. Stoner, who most recently...

O'Charley's Inc.(Steven Hislop, Richard May, resign Gregory Burns, Lawrence Hyatt replace )(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- O'CHARLEY'S INC., based here, said chairman and chief executive GREGORY BURNS is acting as interim president of its O'Charley's concept while the company seeks a successor for STEVEN HISLOP, who resigned. The company also...

Starbucks Corp.(reports sales increased)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... SEATTLE -- STARBUCKS CORP. reported a 7-percent increase in same-store sales at corporate locations open at least 13 months for the four weeks ended Nov. 27. The company, which operates or licenses 10,595 locations worldwide, cited its...

New Hyde Park, N.Y.--Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. on Friday filed with securities regulators the details of its planned initial public stock offering, which could be as large as $150 million, according to the registration statement.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 5, 2005... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC. on Friday filed with securities regulators the details of its planned initial public stock offering, which could be as large as $150 million, according to the registration statement. The...

Stockwatch.(restaurants securities)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 5, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Fri. Top Gainers change close Benihana 2.69 19.67 Starbucks 2.54 31.93...

Dublin, Ohio--Wendy's International, based here, while moving forward with previously announced plans to sell up to 18 percent of its Canadian Tim Hortons brand, said it could take up to $47 million in fourth-quarter charges related to the doughnut chain's struggling U.S. operations, especially in the Northeast.(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... DUBLIN, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, based here, while moving forward with previously announced plans to sell up to 18 percent of its Canadian TIM HORTONS brand, said it could take up to $47 million in fourth-quarter charges related to the...

Atlanta--Frank Belatti, chairman of AFC Enterprises Inc., has sold 1.3 million of the approximately 2 million shares he held in the company, for proceeds exceeding $15.8 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... ATLANTA -- FRANK BELATTI, chairman of AFC ENTERPRISES INC., has sold 1.3 million of the approximately 2 million shares he held in the company, for proceeds exceeding $15.8 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The...

Mystery Shopping Providers Association.(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... DALLAS -- Fast-food restaurants were one of the biggest spenders on mystery shops in 2004 behind retail and the banking/financial industries, according to a new report from the MYSTERY SHOPPING PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION, or MSPA, based here....

Stew Leonard.(the supermarket chain recieves approval for 11,000-square-foot restaurant )(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... NORWALK, Conn. -- STEW LEONARD'S, the three-unit chain of sprawling food stores based here, has secured approval to include an 11,000-square-foot restaurant in a 44-acre retail complex it plans to open in nearby Orange in 2007. An outside...

Yum! Brands Inc.(reports increase of store sales)(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- YUM! BRANDS INC. reported a 6-percent increase in U.S. blended same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 26, compared with the comparable period a year earlier. The November gain included same-store sales increases of...

Papa John's International Inc.(reports increase in sales)(Brief Article)
December 2, 2005... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL INC. reported a systemwide same-store sales gain of 8.7 percent over last year for the four weeks ended Nov. 20. Corporate Papa John's locations posted a same-store sales increase of 12 percent and...

Stockwatch.(restaurant's securities)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 2, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Thurs. Top Gainers change close Host America 10.29 1.50 CKE Restaurants 5.55 13.31...

London--Compass Group Plc, the world's largest contract caterer, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to published reports.(JUST IN)
December 1, 2005... LONDON -- COMPASS GROUP PLC, the world's largest contract caterer, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to published reports. The subpoena was issued...

New York--Colors, a restaurant to be owned by former workers from Windows on the World, the restaurant that was destroyed Sept. 11, 2001, with the World Trade Center, has set an opening date of January 7.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- COLORS, a restaurant to be owned by former workers from Windows on the World, the restaurant that was destroyed Sept. 11, 2001, with the World Trade Center, has set an opening date of January 7. The 120-seat Colors, in the Astor...

Plano, Texas--Crestfoods Inc. here, which is franchisor of the 65-unit Nestle Tollhouse Cafe Bychip chain, signed Jason Piltzmaker of Piltzmaker Development Group LLC as its first area developer.(JUST IN)
December 1, 2005... PLANO, Texas -- CRESTFOODS INC. here, which is franchisor of the 65-unit NESTLE TOLLHOUSE CAFE BYCHIP chain, signed JASON PILTZMAKER of PILTZMAKER DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC as its first area developer. Piltzmaker, who operates five Nestle Toll...

Plano, Texas--Metromedia Restaurant Group promoted Vince Runco to the new position of president of worldwide franchising for the 310-unit Bennigan's Grill & Tavern division.(Vince Runco promoted)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... PLANO, Texas -- METROMEDIA RESTAURANT GROUP promoted VINCE RUNCOto the new position of president of worldwide franchising for the 310-unit BENNIGAN'S GRILL & TAVERN division. Runco has been with Bennigan's for 13 years, most recently as vice...

Syracuse, N.Y.--Carrols Corp., franchise operator of 336 Burger King locations and operator or franchisor of the 138-unit Taco Cabana and 91-unit Pollo Tropical chains.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- CARROLS CORP., franchise operator of 336 BURGER KING locations and operator or franchisor of the 138-unit TACO CABANA and 91-unit POLLO TROPICAL chains, said Monday it would delay its financial report for the third quarter...

Jack in the Box Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)
December 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO -- JACK IN THE BOX INC., operator or franchisor of 2,049 namesake fast-food units and 250 fast-casual Qdoba Mexican Grills, reported a 2.7-percent uptick in fourth-quarter profit, versus a year earlier, on a 1.3-percent increase in...

Stockwatch.(securities of restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Pct. Wed. Top Gainers change close Buca 9.32 5.75 Host...