Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from December 2006

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from December 2006

Sheetz.(JUST IN)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... ALTOONA, Penn. -- SHEETZ, the 392-unit chain of foodservice-oriented convenience stores, has revamped its menu pricing to charge customers for the toppings they specify, instead of offering each item at a fixed price regardless of how it's...

Domino's Pizza.(MARKETING MATTERS)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- DOMINO'S PIZZA will begin 2007 with a value-oriented offer starting Jan. 1: Any large pie with any topping on any crust for $9.99, or the same thing with bread and a side of chicken for $19.99. The 8,238-unit chain is...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In a long-delayed report covering results for the April 30-ended first quarter of the fiscal year concluding next month, KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC. posted a net loss of $6 million, or 10 cents per share, versus $53.4...

Mcdonald's Holdings Co.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... TOKYO -- MCDONALD'S HOLDINGS CO. (JAPAN), a 50-percent-owned arm of MCDONALD'S CORP. and the burger chain's largest national system outside the United States, reported that its daily sales hit an all-time high last Saturday. Despite...

Good Times Restaurants Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... GOLDEN, Colo. -- GOOD TIMES RESTAURANTS INC., operator or franchisor of 49 GOOD TIMES BURGERS & FROZEN CUSTARD quick-service restaurants, reached "a milestone of profitability" in its latest fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The company swung to a...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 29, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Thurs. close Benihana 11.84 $30.50 Friendly Ice Cream 3.49 12.15 Buca 3.45 4.80 Back Yard Burgers 2.71 5.29 Luby's ...

Burger King holdings Inc.(JUST IN)(briefs)(Adir Restaurants Corp. contracts with Emerging Restaurants Group LLC)(GSO Capital Partners acquires Heartland Food Corp )
December 28, 2006... MIAMI -- BURGER KING HOLDINGS INC. has contradicted an executive's assessment that its voluntary cessation of advertising to children in the United Kingdom would cut the chain's sales there by at least 10 percent, saying that the impact in...

Dunkin' Donuts.(MARKETING MATTERS)(Brief article)
December 28, 2006... CANTON, Mass. -- DUNKIN' DONUTS, the all-franchised chain of more than 6,700 doughnut shops, has added a white chocolate version of hot chocolate to its beverage lineup. The White Hot Chocolate and Dunkin' Donuts' regular hot chocolate both...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 28, 2006... Pct. Wed. Top Gainers change close Pizza Inn 6.82 $1.89 Champps Entertainment 3.49 7.12 CKE Restaurants 2.37 18.56 Luby's 2.25 ...

Penn Station East Coast Subs.(JUST IN)(Papa Gino's Inc. opens new units)(Atruzzi's Italian Kitchen Franchise LLC sells its stakes to Fran-systems)(ban on usage of trans fats in restaurants)
December 27, 2006... CINCINNATI, Ohio -- PENN STATION EAST COAST SUBS, a Philadelphia-inspired sandwich chain based here, inked franchise deals for seven stores in western Illinois, just east of St. Louis, Mo. Franchisees ATIF and LISA KHAN have committed to...

Denny's.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(appointment)(Brief article)
December 27, 2006... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The DENNY'S family restaurant chain has hired LOUIS LAGUARDIA, a veteran of Pepsico's diversity-focused Frito Lay North America operation, to serve in the newly created post of vice president of talent acquisition and...

Luby's Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 27, 2006... HOUSTON -- LUBY'S INC., owner and operator of 128 namesake restaurants, reported a 13.9-percent drop in its first-quarter profit from a year earlier to $1.9 million, or 7 cents per share. The latest results included income tax expense of $1.1...

Steak N Shake Co.(MARKETING MATTERS)(introduction of frozen-yogurt-based milk shakes)(Brief article)
December 27, 2006... INDIANAPOLIS -- The STEAK N SHAKE CO., a 460-unit burger chain based here, is adding a line of frozen-yogurt-based milk shakes. The 70-year-old retro chain said the new four-shake array will provide a lower-fat alternative to its signature...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 27, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Tues. close Buca Inc. 9.82 $4.81 Host America Corp. 5.29 1.79 Luby's Inc. 3.50 10.66 Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 3.42 ...

Burger King.(JUST IN)(Burger King Corp.)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... MIAMI -- BURGER KING is testing a line of wraps called BK Hold 'Ems that would be sold in different versions for different meal times, from a sausage, egg and cheese preparation at breakfast to a chicken Caesar selection at lunch, according...

Taco John.(JUST IN)(Taco John's International Inc.)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Sales within the TACO JOHN'S quick-service chain have "picked up" after the "slump" that followed an E. coli outbreak involving three of the system's 430 units, franchisor TACO JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL said Thursday. The...

Huddle House Inc.(JUST IN)(mergers and acquisitions)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... DECATUR, Ga. -- A controlling interest in HUDDLE HOUSE INC., franchisor of the 400-unit namesake family-restaurant chain, has been acquired by the Washington-based financial concern ALLIED CAPITAL CORP. for $124.1 million, the buyer said...

John McKinney.(JUST IN)(bill for banning artificial trans fats in restaurants)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... HARTFORD, Conn. -- Just two days after a lawmaker in neighboring Massachusetts introduced a measure seeking to ban artificial trans fats in restaurants across the state, two senators here proposed a similar ban in Connecticut. Sens. JOHN...

Denny's Corp.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- DENNY'S CORP reported Dec. 19 that two of its operating subsidiaries refinanced an old credit facility and entered into a new $350 million credit agreement that will save the company about $5.5 million annually in cash...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 22, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Thurs. close Morgan's Foods 24.69 $10.91 Host America 6.79 1.91 Grill Concepts 5.41 3.12 Pizza Inn 4.09 1.78 Mexican...

Bonnie Garcia.(JUST IN)(Bonnie Garcia a California Assemblywoman introduced legislation for banning artificial trans fats)(a litigation against Olive Garden Restaurants Div.)(Pizza Inn Inc. sold its building to Vintage Interests LP.)
December 21, 2006... SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Assemblywoman BONNIE GARCIA has introduced legislation aiming to ban artificial trans fats in foodservice establishments statewide. The bill is similar to the ban recently passed in New York City. Garcia, a...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)
December 21, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Wed. close Diedrich Coffee Inc. 4.24 $3.69 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 4.23 10.35 Pizza Inn 3.64 1.71 Smith & Wollensky 2.86...

Mcdonald's Corp.(JUST IN)(McDonald's Corp.'s development of new dishes)(Massachusetts to ban the usage of trans fat)
December 20, 2006... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- In what could be preparations to preempt arch-rival Burger King, MCDONALD'S CORP. is testing value-oriented breakfast menus that could be offered to franchisees as a local marketing option. A spokeswoman here confirmed...

Darden Restaurants Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
December 20, 2006... ORLANDO, Fla. -- DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC., whose 1,443 casual-dining restaurants include the Red Lobster and Olive Garden chains, reported a 12-percent year-over-year increase in second-quarter profit, on a 4.5-percent jump in total sales. For...

Potbelly Sandwich Works.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(James Hirshorn being appointed )(Brief article)
December 20, 2006... CHICAGO -- An experienced hand at selling private companies to the public has been named chief financial officer of POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, the 140-unit, privately owned fast-casual chain based here. JAMES HIRSHORN assumes the CFO title from...

Bruegger's.(MARKETING MATTERS)(Bruegger's Enterprises Inc.'s new offerings)(Brief article)
December 20, 2006... BURLINGTON, Vt. -- BRUEGGER'S, the 253-unit fast-casual chain based here, plans to spotlight a new deal starting Jan. 17 called Bruegger's Duos, which allows patrons to pick two items from choices that include any half sandwich, any half...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)
December 20, 2006... STOCKWATCH (shares over $1) Top Gainers Pct. change Tues. close Cosi 2.36 $5.20 Mexican Restaurants 2.29 10.72 Friendly Ice Cream 2.28 12.10 AFC Enterprises ...

Olive Garden.(JUST IN)(Olive Garden Restaurants Div. employees tested positive for norovirus)(Food and Drug Administration's investigation of outbreak of E. coli infections )(Federal and state authorities investigation of 2,500 mallard ducks death)
December 19, 2006... CASTLETON, Ind. -- Three employees of the OLIVE GARDEN here reportedly tested positive for norovirus, making that pathogen the likely source of the gastrointestinal illness that afflicted 370 customers last week. A patron was also was...

Ihop Corp.(MARKETING MATTERS)(brief)(Brief article)
December 19, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- HARDEE'S, the 1,923-unit subsidiary of CKE RESTAURANTS, reintroduced The Big Twin double-decker burger for a limited time. The $1.79 cheeseburger has two patties, lettuce, American cheese and Thousand Island dressing. The burger...

Red, Hot & Blue Restaurants Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Dancing Pigs LLC acquires restaurants)(Brief article)
December 19, 2006... ARLINGTON, Va. -- RED, HOT & BLUE RESTAURANTS INC., operator or franchisor here of 33 sit-down barbecue restaurants, has been acquired by DANCING PIGS LLC, a Windermere, Fla.-based investment group formed by two industry veterans. Terms were...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 19, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Mon. close Kona Grill 5.26 $19.22 Applebee's International 3.72 24.56 Morgan's Foods 2.94 8.75 Star Buffet 2.31 ...

Olive Garden.(JUST IN)(Olive Garden Restaurants Div. closes branch temporarily,Burger King Corp., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigates)
December 18, 2006... ORLANDO, Fla. -- OLIVE GARDEN on Friday said it was closing a branch in Castleton, Ind., temporarily to give health inspectors a chance to determine if employees exhibiting flu-like symptoms were the source of an illness that has afflicted...

Carrols restaurant Group Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 18, 2006... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP INC., whose 328 Burger Kings make it that chain's largest franchisee, on Friday made its initial public offering of 10 million shares of common stock at a per-share price of $13, down from its...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 18, 2006... Pct. Fri. Top Gainers change close Grill Concepts 5.16 $3.28 Max & Erma's 2.74 8.25 Diedrich Coffee 2.49 3.70 Star Buffet 2.13 9.60 AFC Enterprises 1.95 ...

Taco John's.(Taco John's E. coli outbreak linked to lettuce)(new regulation for displaying saturated-fat content of menu items)(Skipper's Inc. files for bankruptcy)
December 15, 2006... CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The E. coli outbreak involving TACO JOHN'S units here and in Minnesota has been linked to lettuce, according to local press reports. The findings mark the second time in two days the leafy vegetable has been cited as the...

CKE Restaurants Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Financial report)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
December 15, 2006... CARPINTERIA, Calif. -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC., parent to 3,113 franchised or operated Carl's Jr. and Hardee's units, reported a 40.2-percent drop in its third-quarter net income, versus the same quarter a year ago, as increased interest expense...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 15, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Thurs. close Star Buffet Inc. 5.74 $9.40 Morton's Rest. Group 4.01 16.33 Grill Concepts Inc. 4.00 3.12 Cosi Inc. 3.54 ...

Darden Restaurants Inc.(JUST IN)
December 14, 2006... IRVINE, Calif. -- Statistics indicate that packaged lettuce was the "most probable" cause of the E. coli outbreak that forced 90 TACO BELLS in four northeastern states to close during the last two weeks, franchisor Taco Bell Corp. said...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 14, 2006... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- KRISPYKREME DOUGHNUTS INC., the troubled operator or franchisor of 385 namesake doughnut-and-coffee shops, expects to report a net loss for its third quarter of fiscal year 2007, on revenues that dropped 9.3 percent...

Dave black.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(appointment at Marco's Inc.)(Brief article)
December 14, 2006... TOLEDO, Ohio -- DAVE BLACK, a one-time president of DOMINO'S PIZZA, has been hired by MARCO'S FRANCHISING LLC to serve as executive vice president of its 150-unit Marco's Pizza chain. Black was appointed president of Domino's in 1989 by...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 14, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Wed. close Host America Corp. 19.28 $1.98 Cosi Inc. 6.49 5.09 New World Rest. Group 4.58 8.00 Pizza Inn Inc. 3.43 ...

National Restaurant Association.(JUST IN)(report on Restaurant industry's growth)(survey on trans fat's usage)(Popeyes Inc.' new venture Popeyes Lousiana Kitchen.)
December 13, 2006... WASHINGTON -- U.S. restaurant industry sales are expected to rise 5 percent for 2007 to a record $537 billion, the NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION reported Tuesday. That increase over estimated 2006 results would yield a projected 2.1-percent...

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Lone Star Funds acquired Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon)(Brief article)
December 13, 2006... WICHITA, Kan. -- LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON, based here, said its shareholders had approved the pending buyout of the multibrand steakhouse operator by the Dallas-based private equity fund LONE STAR FUNDS for $27.35 per share, or more than...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)
December 13, 2006... Pct. Tues. Top Gainers change close Burger King Holdings 3.50 $20.13 Back Yard Burgers 2.14 5.72 O'Charley's 1.55 21.61 AFC Enterprises 1.53...

Taco Bell.(federal officials investigates)(Health officials investigates on Taco John's International Inc)(Denny's Inc purges artificial trans fats )
December 12, 2006... Reports indicated late Monday that tests by federal officials had found no traces of the virulent E. coli 0157:H7 bacterium in any green-onion samples taken from TACO BELL restaurants, suggesting that the chain may have prematurely pinpointed...

OSI Restaurant Partners Inc.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(appointment)(Brief article)
December 12, 2006... TAMPA, Fla. -- OSI RESTAURANT PARTNERS INC. has hired CURT GLOWACKI as president of its OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE brand, succeeding PAUL AVERY, who continues as OSI's chief operating officer. Glowacki joins Outback after a six-year stint as chief...

Barington Capital Group LP.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon Inc.)(Breeden Partners LP acquires Applebee's International Inc.)
December 12, 2006... NEW YORK -- BARINGTON CAPITAL GROUP LP, the 9.5-percent stakeholder in LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON INC. that had opposed its pending buyout as being undervalued, said Monday it would now vote in favor of the $585-million-plus acquisition by...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 12, 2006... Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change close J. Alexander's 5.72 $9.24 Friendly Ice Cream 4.03 12.38 Luby's 3.66 11.05 Burger...

Yum! Brands Inc.(JUST IN)(Taco Bell Corp and Taco Bell Corp have been sued for negligence)
December 11, 2006... MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. -- TACO BELL and parent YUM! BRANDS INC. have been sued for a second time for alleged negligence in connection with the multistate E. coli illness outbreak. Seattle law firm MARLER CLARK filed the lawsuit here Dec. 8 on...

P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Tim MCDougal as new chief marketing officer)(Canteen Corp appoints Ron Erhardt as vice president)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO INC. named TIM MCDOUGAL its chief marketing officer, responsible for brand strategy for its namesake and two other chain concepts: Pei Wei Asian Diner and Taneko Japanese Tavern. He was vice...

Mcdonald's Corp.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(McDonald's Corp sales report)(Jamba Inc sales report)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP.'s November worldwide same-store sales rose 6.2 percent, aided by a 5.1-percent same-store sales gain at U.S outlets, the company reported Dec. 8. It cited the new Snack Wrap item and breakfast and...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Pct. Fri. Top Gainers change close Buffalo Wild Wings 8.11 $58.02 Cosi 7.35 4.82 Host America 6.45 1.65 Pizza Inn 3.98 1.83 Steak n...

Taco Bell Corp.(JUST IN)(Rank Group Plc to sell its holdings to Seminole Tribe Of Florida, Sodexho USA )
December 8, 2006... ATLANTA -- As an 11-year-old New Jersey boy's E. coli bacterial infection prompted the first of what are expected to be numerous lawsuits against TACO BELL CORP., federal and state investigators began testing all non-meat products used at...

Brinker Interantional Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS )(CBRL Group Inc. )(Brief article)
December 8, 2006... DALLAS -- November same-store sales declined 2.6 percent from a year ago for the chains of BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC., operator or franchisor of 1,662 restaurants. Same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 29 declined 1.2 percent at...

Del Taco.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Del Taco Inc. hires new staff)(Brief article)
December 8, 2006... LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- The quick-service chain DEL TACO promoted BRIAN MORIARTY to the new position of director of field marketing, in charge of restaurant communications, local-store marketing, promotions and budgeting for all units. The...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 8, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Thurs. close Smith & Wollensky 3.40 $5.17 CBRL Group 3.38 44.38 Benihana 2.27 27.98 Mexican Restaurants 1.99 ...

Taco Bell Corp.(JUST IN )(Taco Bell Corp. closes its units, Big Boy International Inc. acquires Cucina, Applebee's International Inc. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar closes temporarily)
December 7, 2006... IRVINE, Calif. -- TACO BELL CORP. ordered the chain's 5,800 domestic units to discard all green onions after it said tests had indicated that the scallions could be the cause of an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in Pennsylvania, New York and New...

Mcdonald's.(MARKETING MATTERS)
December 7, 2006... SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -- MCDONALD'S is conducting a six-unit test here of burgers made with Angus beef. Called the Angus Three Pounders, the three variations are a cheeseburger; a deluxe version with lettuce and tomato, and one garnished...

Panera Bread Co.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 7, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- PANERA BREAD CO. said last week's snow storms in the Midwest, where 40 percent of the chain's units are located, are expected to reduce same-store sales for December by at least 1 percent. The weaker-than-expected sales prompted...

Stockwatch (shares over $1).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 7, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Wed. close Host America 3.33 $1.55 Wendy's International 1.93 34.29 Morton's Restaurant Group 1.53 16.54 Meritage Hospitality Group...

Taco Bell.(JUST IN)(Taco Bell Corp. to offer new services, Culver Franchising System Inc., Ark Restaurants Corp. sells its facilities to Las Vegas Sands Inc.)
December 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- TACO BELL Tuesday said it was reopening all nine branches that were voluntarily closed in New Jersey and on Long Island, N.Y., after at least 65 people in three states were sickened by E. coli 0157:H7 infections, however nine...

Modesto Alcala.(EXECUTIVE SUITE )(Modesto Alcala resigns Buca Inc.)(Brief article)
December 6, 2006... MINNEAPOLIS -- Casual-dining veteran MODESTO ALCALA will step down as chief operating officer of the 93-unit Buca di Beppo chain's parent, BUCA INC., Jan. 2. No reason was given and no successor was named. Alcala joined Buca nearly two years...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 6, 2006... Pct. Tues. Top Gainers change close Back Yard Burgers 6.06 $5.95 AFC Enterprises 4.06 17.94 Landry's Restaurants 3.72 29.55 Morgan's Foods 3.66...

Taco Bell Corp.(JUST IN)(Taco Bell Corp. closes its branches, Elephant and Castle Canada Inc. acquired by Repechage Investments, Smith and Wollensky Restaurant Group chooses Welldunn Restaurant Group as partner)
December 5, 2006... IRVINE, Calif. -- TACO BELL CORP. said it had voluntarily closed five branches in New Jersey and New York for precautionary sanitizing and replacement of ingredients after state health officials linked outlets of the chain to at least 35 E....

American Academy of Pediatrics.(MARKETING MATTERS)(Brief article)
December 5, 2006... CHICAGO -- An association of pediatricians has called on Congress to ban "junk food" ads from children's TV shows. The AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS also urged Congress to reduce the amount of advertising aired during the shows to five or...

Stockwatcgh (shares over $3).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 5, 2006... Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change close Burger King Holdings 5.11 $19.35 Ruby Tuesday 4.35 27.56 Jamba 4.26 11.25 Applebee's...

Rod Blagojevich.(JUST IN)(minimum wage to be signed into law by governor Rod Blagojevich)(Maui Tacos International Inc. franchises fast-casual chain)(Del Taco units opened in Chicago)
December 4, 2006... SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A bill raising the state's hourly minimum wage to $7.50 as of July 1 is headed to be signed into law by Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH following its overwhelming passage Thursday in the Senate. The measure calls for the pay floor,...

Mexican Restaurants Inc.(EXECUTIVE SUIT)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... HOUSTON -- MEXICAN RESTAURANTS INC., parent of the Casa Ole chain, said Friday that CURT GLOWACKI had resigned as president and chief executive, effective Dec. 15. LOU NEEB, MRI's chairman, was named Glowacki's replacement as CEO. LOU PORRY,...

Cheesecake Factory Inc.(Denny's Corp. reports sales figures)(Financial report)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. -- The CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC. reported its delayed second- and third-quarter financial results Thursday, posting nearly flat profit from a year earlier for the 13-weeks ended July 4 and a 16.5-percent decline in...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(restaurants)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Top Gainere Pct. change Fri. close Host America 6.43 $1.49 Back Yard Burgers 6.19 5.76 Good Times Restaurants 5.96 6.40 Smith & Wollensky 5.49 ...

Darden Restaurants Inc.(JUST IN)(briefs)
December 1, 2006... CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- The parent of Red Lobster and Olive Garden has launched a prototype "grill house" concept here as DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. reportedly is pursuing a buyout of an established regional brand, which would be the...

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Inc.(FINANCIAL BRIEFS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... WICHITA, Kan. -- Late Thursday, the day LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON INC. shareholders were to vote on a buyout of the 279-unit outfit by Dallas-based LONE STAR FUNDS, the restaurant company here said the private-equity firm had increased...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Top Gainers Pct. change Thurs. close Caribou Coffee 12.80 $8.99 New World Rest. Group 6.67 8.00 Smith & Wollensky 3.36 4.92 Burger King Holdings ...