Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from July 2002

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from July 2002

Childcare and early-schooling professionals are backing a proposed ballot measure calling for a citywide 10-cent-per-cup tax on all espresso drinks sold in Seattle. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 31, 2002... SEATTLE -- Childcare and early-schooling professionals are backing a proposed ballot measure calling for a citywide 10-cent-per-cup tax on all espresso drinks sold in Seattle. The so-called Initiative 77, aimed at helping fund education...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(manager accused of sexual expoitation)(Brief Article)
July 31, 2002... SEATTLE -- The parents of a teenage girl have sued MCDONALD'S CORP. and one of its franchisees for allegedly hiring as a manager a convicted felon who sexually exploited the girl and encouraged her to use drugs after she started working at a...

Fired Up Inc., parent of the Johnny Carino's Country Italian concept, signed Tomatto Grotto LLC to a deal under which it would develop branches of the chain in Michigan. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 31, 2002... AUSTIN, Texas -- FIRED UP INC., parent of the Johnny Carino's Country Italian concept, signed TOMATTO GROTTO LLC to a deal under which it would develop branches of the chain in Michigan. Fired Up also said two new Carino's units recently...

Domino's Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 31, 2002... ANN ARBOR, Mich -- DOMINO'S INC. said net earnings for the second quarter ended June 16 rose 21.8 percent $10.8 million, vs. $8.9 million in the year-ago period. Revenue was up 3.6 percent to $294.1 million, vs. $238.8 million in the...

Begel chain operator New World Restaurant Group Inc. is the latest foodservice company to terminate its relationship with embattled auditor Arthur Andersen LLP, according t a filing with securities regulators. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
July 31, 2002... EATONTOWN, NJ. -- Begel chain operator NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP INC. is the latest foodservice company to terminate its relationship with embattled auditor ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, according t a filing with securities regulators. New World, the...

International Multifoods Corp., seeking to reduce debt and focus more on branded products, agreed to sell its Denver-based foodservice distribution business for $180 million to Wellspring Capital Management LLC. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 31, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS - INTERNATIONAL MULTIFOODS CORP., seeking to reduce debt and focus more on branded products, agreed to sell its Denver-based foodservice distribution business for $180 million to WELLSPRING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, a private equity...

Stockwatch.(Tuesday close)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 31, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change close Back yard Burgers 11.02 $9.28 Meritage Hospitality 4.72 5.55 Schlotzsky's ...

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned that Spokane Produce-brand nomaine lettuce has been linked to a mid-July outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION on Monday warned that SPOKANE PRODUCE-brand nomaine lettuce has been linked to a mid-My outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at a cheerleading camp in Washington state. The FDA said the lettuce was sold...

The Russian Tea Room. (Just In).(New York City restaurant closes)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... NEW YORK -- The RUSSIAN TEA ROOM, a swank landmark that epitomized special-occasion fine dining in Manhattan for nearly 70 years and appeared in several major movies, dosed forever Sunday Jennifer LeRoy, chief executive of LeRoy Adventures,...

Angel Wallace, a 36-year-old woman who said she sustained second- and third-degree burns after spilling coffee on herself because of an allegedly defective cup top. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... OAK VILLE, Ontario -- ANGEL WALLACE, a 36-year-old woman who said she sustained second- and third-degree burns after spilling coffee on herself because of an allegedly defective cup top, is suing the TIM HORTONS doughnut-specialty chain,...

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. (Just In).(salmonella outbreak investigation of Red Lobster)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Unable to trace the cause of a recent salmonella outbreak to an employee or single food item served at a local RED LOBSTER health officials here said the restaurant had not violated any heath laws, the Chattanooga Times...

Avado Brands Inc. (Financial Briefs).(earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 30, 2002... MADISON, Ga. -- Bolstered by a gain of $26.8 million related to the early paydown of debt, AVADO BRANDS INC. posted second quarter earnings of $14.6 million, vs. a loss of $4.8 million in the same period a year ago. However; the most recent...

Damon's Grill. (Marketing Matters).(new lunch menu)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DAMON'S GRILL launched a new lunch menu with 14 menu items designed to be served in 10 minutes or less. Entrees, sandwiches and combinations range from $5.99 to $8.99. Daily specials are offered Monday through Friday for...

Denny's awarded general-market ad duties to Publicis in Mid America Dallas. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
July 30, 2002... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- DENNY'S awarded general-market ad duties to PUBLICIS IN MID AMERICA DALLAS following a three-month national review of its $50 million ad account Publicis was one of four finalists. The agency's first work for' Denny's is...

Stockwatch. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 30, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change close Total Entertainment 19.09 $11.48 Mexican Restaurants 12.33 4.10 Schlotzsky's ...

Attorney Samuel Hirsch filed a class-action lawsuit with the Bronx Supreme Court against Burger King. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... NEW YORK--Attorney SAMUEL HIRSCH filed a class-action lawsuit with the Bronx Supreme Court against BURGER KING, KFC, MCDONALD'S and WENDY'S, alleging that their food is responsible for his 56-year-old client's obesity and other health...

George Nakamura of the National Environmental Health Association. (Just In).(restaurants to get safety inspections)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS - Municipal health authorities here are testing a new system of scheduled educational visits to restaurants, vs. only surprise inspections. Inspectors recently began making appointments to meet with managers of some 700...

The American Culinary Federation named Joseph Amendola. (Just In).(Chef of the Year)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- The AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION named JOSEPH AMENDOLA its 2002 Chef of the Year at the ACF national convention here this month. Amendola is a partner and senior vice president of Fessel International, a foodservice consulting...

Chipotle said two executives of parent company McDonald's Corp. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... DENVER -- CHIPOTLE said two executives of parent company MCDONALD'S CORP. will join the 200-unit fast-casual bunito specialist this week in senior management posts. BOB WILNER, vice president of human resources for McDonald's Partners Brands...

Starbucks Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 29, 2002... SEATTLE -- STARBUCKS CORP. said net earnings for the third quarter ended June 30 rose 20 percent to $56.2, vs. $46.8 million in the year-ago period. The chain of more than 5,608 coffehouses posted a revenue increase of 26 percent to $835.2...

Performance Food Group. (Supplier News).(buys Thoms-Proestler Co.)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... RICHMOND, Va. -- PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP acquired Rock Island, Ill.-based THOMS-PROESTLER CO., a privately owned broadline food distributor, for $95 million. Approximately $80 million of that sum was paid in cash and the assumption of...

McDonald's Corp. (Marketing Matters).(DDB Worldwide gets ad account)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2002... OAKBROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. awarded ad duties for its "McDonald's with the Diner Inside" concept to DDB CHICAGO, the chain's lead agency for adult advertising. DDB'S first work will be TV spots for six Diner Inside units that are...

Stock watch.(restaurant stocks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 29, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Fri. change close Top Gainers Pcct's Coffe & Tea 7.74 $14.76 McDonald's 7.51 23.49 Panera Bread Co. 5.46 ...

Diageo Plc of London said it has agreed to sell Burger King. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 26, 2002... MIAMI -- DIAGEO PLC of London said it has agreed to sell BURGER KING, the struggling No. 2 burger chain, for $2.26 billion in cash to a consortium of U.S. venture capital firms led by TEXAS PACIFIC GROUP, based in Forth Worth, Texas. Other...

Mcdonald's outlets at Los Angeles International Airport. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 26, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- Under pressure from labor advocates, MCDONALD'S outlets at LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT agreed to amend their concession contracts to pay workers "living wage" of $7.99 an hour with benefits or $9.24 an hour without...

Wendy's International Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 26, 2002... DUBLIN, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC., parent of the 8,400-unit Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Tim Hortons and Baja Fresh Mexican Grill chains, posted revenue increases of 122 percent to $634 million for the second quarter ended Tune...

Outback Steakhouse Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 26, 2002... TAMPA, Pla. -- OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE INC. said net earnings for the second quarter ended June 30 rose 16 percent to $42.5 million, vs. $36.5m on in the year-ago period. Revenue was up 11 percent to $596 million, vs. $538.8 million in the...

Koo Koo Roo Inc., a subsidiary of Prandium Inc., rolled out three new chicken wraps. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
July 26, 2002... IRVINE, Calif. -- KOO KOO ROO INC., a subsidiary of PRANDIUM INC., rolled out three new chicken wraps. The 30-unit home-meal-replacement chain's wrap varieties are a Greek Chicken with chargrilled chicken breast, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers...

Stockwatch.(restaurant stocks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 26, 2002... STOCKWATCH (charoe over $3) Pct. Thurs. change close Top Gainers Mexican Restaurants 17.24 $3.65 Rubio's Restaurants 17.24 6.80 Garden Fresh Rests. 13.08 ...

Yum! Brands Inc. (Just In).(testing Pizza Hut/Pasta Bravo combo)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- YUM! BRANDS INC. officials said the company's PIZZA HUT brand would enter into a co-branding test with Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based fast-casual chain PASTA BRAVO through a licensing agreement DAVE DENO, Yum's chief financial...

Diageo PLC of London reportedly is in the final stages of talks to sell Burger King for more than $2 billion to a buyout team led by Texas Pacific Group. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 25, 2002... MIAMI -- DIAGEO PLC of London reportedly is in the final stages of talks to sell BURGER KING for more than $2 billion to a buyout team led by TEXAS PACIFIC GROUP, according to press reports. Texas Pacific is expected to pay between $2.1...

Fired Up Inc. (Just In).(in deal with JC American LLC)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2002... AUSTIN, Texas -- FIRED UP INC., parent of the Johnny Casino's Country Italian concept, signed Cleveland, Ohio-based JC AMERICAN LLC to a deal to develop branches of the chain in Indiana and northern Ohio. JC American is led by DONALD W....

Boston Market customers at nine Minneapolis-St. Paul area units can order and pay for food using their cellular phones. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 25, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- BOSTON MARKET customers at nine Minneapolis-St. Paul area units can order and pay for food using their cellular phones, PDAs or Internet-enabled computers as part of a test by the MCDONALD'S CORP.-owned home-meal-replacement...

McDonald's Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 25, 2002... OAK BROOK, III -- MCDONALD'S CORP. reported a 13-percent rise in second-quarter net income to $497.5 million, masking the company's first profit increase in seven quarters. Revenue for the quarter increased 4 percent to $3.9 billion...

P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 25, 2002... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO INC. reported a 44-percent rise in net earnings to $4.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, vs. $3.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 33 percent to $101.7 million The chain...

Ron Powell, the former Yorkshire Global Restaurants. (Executive Suite).(oversees food brands merger)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky.--RON POWELL, the former YORKSHIRE GLOBAL RESTAURANTS executive overseeing the integration of Long John Silver's and A&W into the YUM! BRANDS INC. portfolio, also will assume the role of president of Long John Silver's,...

StockWatch.(restaurant stocks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 25, 2002... STOCKWATCH (Shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change close Ryans Family Steak 15.58 $12.02 Yum! Brands Inc. 14.83 28.88...

Castle Harlan partners III. LP, a New York-based private investment firm, won approval from shareholders of Morton's Restaurant Group. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- CASTLE HARLAN PARTNERS III. LP, a New York-based private investment firm, won approval from shareholders of MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP here Tuesday to acquire the 65-unit upscale steakhouse and nartoria operator for $17...

In a crackdown apparently sparked by a published expose, Kansas' state epartment of Health and Environment. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... TOPEKA, Kan.--In a crackdown apparently sparked by a published expose, Kansas' state DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT has fined 25 restaurants for health code violations since May. That number is one more than the total of all Kansas...

Brinker International of Dallas permanently closed the original Romano's Macaroni Grill. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... LEON SPRINGS, Texas -- BRINKER INTERNATIONAL of Dallas permanently closed the original ROMANO'S MACARONI GRILL in this town north of San Antonio because of extensive damage from recent central-Texas flooding. The restaurant was opened in 1988...

California Pizza Kitchen Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN INC. said same-store sales for the second quarter ended June 30 rose 5.1 percent over those of the year-ago period. Earnings of the 138-unit chain were up 31 percent to $4.3 million. Revenue rose 25...

Yum! Brands Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Aided by Taco Bell's 8-percent rise in samestore sales, YUM! BRANDS INC. posted a 21-percent increase in second-quarter profits to $140 million. Corporate revenue of $1.77 billion was up 10 percent in the period....

Continuing more than a decade of high front-office turnover at 48-year-old Shakey's Inc. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... GARDEN GROVE Calif. -- Continuing more than a decade of high front-office turnover at 48-year-old SHAKEY'S INC., SEAN FLYNN has left the nearly 60-unit pizza parlor chain for undisclosed reasons after serving as president for 16 months....

Taco Bell rolled out the Southwest Steak Border Bowl. (Marketing Mix).(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... IRVINE, Calif. -- TACO BELL rolled out the Southwest Steak Border Bowl, extending a line of bowl-based meals launched in June with the Zesty Chicken Border Bowl The new $2.99 item, served with a packet of creanry jalapeno sauce, combines...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)
July 24, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Tues. change close Top Gainers CKE Restaurants Inc. 16.31 $6.06 Wendy's International Inc. 5.54 34.51...

The owners of Mexican restaurant here suspected of being the source of a shigella food poisoning outbreak in October 2000. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 23, 2002... REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- The owners of Mexican restaurant here suspected of being the source of a shigella food poisoning outbreak in October 2000 that killed one woman and sickened hundreds of other people reportedly agreed to pay nearly $1...

United States Marine Corps Community Services granted a $175 million contact to Sodexho. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 23, 2002... MIRAMAR, Calif. -- UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES granted a $175 million contact to SODEXHO for management of retail food facilities at the Marines' Miramar Air Station. The 15-year deal includes options that could extend...

Finally members are fending in court over ownership of the 70-year-old Tony Packo's Cafe. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 23, 2002... TOLEDO, Ohio -- Finally members are fending in court over ownership of the 70-year-old TONY PACKO'S CAFE and three other area restaurants that are known for Hungarian-style hot dogs promoted by the "M * A * S * H" sitcom character Cpl....

Apple-Metro Inc., the local franchisee of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. (Just In).(World Trade Center Applebees to reopen)(Brief Article)
July 23, 2002... NEW YORK -- APPLE-METRO INC., the local franchisee of APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL AND BAR, is scheduled to reopen its Battery Park City restaurant near the World Trade Center site today. Located directly across from the World Financial...

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(same store sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 23, 2002... SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC. said same-stone sales for the four weeks ended July 15 rose, 1.1 percent at Carl's Jr. and 0.7 percent at La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill, vs. results of the same period last year: CKE said Hardee's...

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(second quarter profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 23, 2002... TAMPA, Fla. -- CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS INC., operator and franchisor of 406 namesake units and 388 Rally's Hamburgers unit, reported second-quarter profits of $2.7 million, more than triple its year-ago earnings. Six-month net income...

Burger King Corp. (Executive Suite).(Elise Romero promoted)(Brief Article)
July 23, 2002... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. promoted ELSIE ROMERO to vice president and corporate counsel. Remero, who will oversee legal matters related to marketing, distribution and research and development, joined BK as a senior attorney in 1997 and was...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 23, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change close Red Robin 5.56 12.90 Smith & Wollensky 4.71 4.45 Luby's Cafeterias 4.06...

Burger King. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... LONDON -- DIAGEO PLC has narrowed the number of potential buyers for its BURGER KING chain to two groups, and a decision is expected in the next week or two, the New York Post reported. An earlier report in the Miami Herald, which cited...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- Although RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS INC.'s $12-a-share initial public offering on Friday was less than its initial target price in the range of $14 to $16 a share, the company's stock was one of the few gainers on a...

Total Entertainment Restaurant Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... WICHITA, Kan. -- TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT RESTAURANT CORP., owner and operator of 49 restaurants under the Fox and Hound and Bailey's names, plans to raise as much $13.3 mil lion from its planned sale of 1.35 million shares priced at $10.50 each...

Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- With a shareholders vote set for Tuesday on the controversial takeover of MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC., opponents continued their battle against the management-endorsed sale to N.Y.-based private investment firm...

Conagra Foods Inc. (Supplier Update).(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE said that Omaha, Neb.-based CONAGRA FOODS INC. has agreed to recall more than 18 million pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef because of potential E.coli contamination. The recall marks the...

Stock watch.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change close Quality Dining Inc. 10.46 $3.70 Meritage Hospitality 8.04 6.05 Garden Fresh Rests. 1.98 ...

University of La Verne. (Just In).(and Bryant College sign for Sodexho food service)(Brief Article)
July 18, 2002... GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- SODEXHO landed two new, multi-year foodservice contracts at universities with a combined value of $61.5 million. The food and facilities provider inked a 10-year contract valued at $50 million to provide food services at...

Burger King Corp. (Just In).(acquires 20 units from Cimm's Restaurant Group)(Brief Article)
July 18, 2002... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. acquired 20 franchised units in Norfolk, Va from CIMM'S RESTAURANT GROUP. As a result of the purchase, BK now owns 598 U.S. restaurants. All staff and management in the purchased restaurants were offered positions...

Kahala Corp. (Just In).(signs development deal with Healthy Food Concepts L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
July 18, 2002... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- KAHALA CORP., parent of Ranch*1, Surf City Squeeze, Frullati Cafe & Bakery, Rollerz and Tahi Mana, inked a $600,000 development deal with Basking Ridge, N.J.-based HEALTHY FOOD CONCEPTS LLC. As part of die deal, Healthy...

Colorado Restaurant Association. (Just in).(teams with American Express to raise money for hunger charity)(Brief Article)
July 18, 2002... DENVER -- The COLORADO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION and AMERICAN EXPRESS are sponsoring "Big Bite -- Take the Bite Out of Hunger," in hopes of encouraging people to dine out in August and raise funds for OPERATION FRONTLINE, a local charity...

Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(announces second quarter 2002 profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 18, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC. reported second quarter profits of $66,000 on sales of $57.8 million vs. a year-earlier loss of $1.5 million on sales of $57 million. Six-month year-over-year profits, spurred by a $ 1.4...

Buca Inc. (Financial Briefs).(earnings for second quarter, 2002)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 18, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- BUCA INC.'s earnings for the second quarter ended June 30 were up 153 percent, to $2.8 million, vs. $2.5 million in the year-ago period. The 88-unit, family-style Italian dinnerhouse chain said earnings for the 26 weeks were up...

McDonald's Corp. (Executive Suite).(recruits former employee, Paul Schrage)(Brief Article)
July 18, 2002... OAK. BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. said it has recruited fonner marketing chief PAUL SCHRAGE to work as a consultant for the chain, according to company spokesman WALT RIKER. Schrage, who retired from McDonald's in early 1998, was the...

Stock watch.
July 18, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Wed. change close Top Gainers CEC Entertainment Inc. 7.86 $39.80 Back Yard Burgers Inc. 7.75 9.45 P.F....

Applebee's International Inc. agreed to acquire 21 Applebee's in the Washington D.C. area. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... OVERLAND PARK, Kau. -- APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL INC. agreed to acquire 21 Applee's in the Washington, D.C., area from APPLE CAPITOL GROUPLLC for $32.8 million, subject to adjustment. As a condition of thee agreement, Apple capitol filed a...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(offers Chinese-style meals in Hong Kong outlets)(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... HONG KONG -- MCDONALD'S CORP. debuted this week Chinese-style meals in all of its Hong Kong restaurants, according to a Reuters report. It said McDonald's, in an effort to cater to local tastes and combat competition amid the country's tough...

Morton's Restaurant Inc. (Financial Briefs).(takeover battle continues)(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- With a week remaining in the battle for a takeover of MORTON'S RESTAURANT INC., New York-based CASTLE HARLAN PARTNERS LLP moved into the top buyer's seat. The private investment from on Tuesday, added about $1 a share,...

CEC Entertainment Inc. (Financial Briefs).(opens smaller prototype Chuck E. Cheese Buffet)(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... IRVING, Texas - CEC ENTERTAINMENT INC., parent of the 414-unit Chuck E. cheese chain, said its new Chuck E. Cheese's Buffet, a prototype aimed for smaller markets, opened last month in Waco, Texas, to strong sales. Earnings for the second...

Frisch's Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(fiscal 2002 data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 17, 2002... CINCINNATI -- FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS INC. reported a 4-percent increase in fiscal 2002 profits, to $8 million, compared with the previous year. In fiscal 2001, the company's bottom line was hit by a $1.5 million charge related to the closings...

Romacorp Inc. Tapped Marc Buehler to lead its marketing department for the 253-unit Tony Roma's chain. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... DALLAS - ROMACORP INC. Tapped MARC BUEHLER to lead its marketing department for the 253-unit Tony Roma's chain. Most recently Buehler was vice president of marketing for Edmond, olda a.-based Eateries Inc. The rib chain also promoted MORGAN...

Burger King Corp. consolidated its estimated $300 million ad account, severing ties with BCom3's D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
July 17, 2002... MIAMI - BURGER KING CORP. consolidated its estimated $300 million ad account, severing ties with BCOM3's D'ARCY MASIUS BENTON & BOWLES and media buyer MEDIA VEST and shifting duties to INTERPUBLIC GROUP'S DEUTSCH INC. and MEDIA FIRST...

Stock watch. (Marketing Matters).(recent stock prices of a few select restaurant groups)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 17, 2002... STOCK WATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change close Kimpy Kreme 4.30 $35.91 Chicago Pizza & Brewery 4.25 9.07 Steak and...

Dave & Buster's Inc. (Just In).(in merger talks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 16, 2002... DALLAS -- DAVE & BUSTER'S INC., the 31-unit restaurant and-games operator here, said the management and investment group that is seeking to take the company private increased its offer to $13.50 per share from $12, after it failed to the...

The battle over Oklahoma's sweeping new smoking rules continued this week after a federal District Court ruled late Friday that the case belongs book in stare District Court in Sapulpa, Okla. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 16, 2002... TULSA, Okla. -- The battle over Oklahoma's sweeping new smoking rules continued this week after a federal District Court ruled late Friday that the case belongs book in stare District Court in Sapulpa, Okla. The OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT...

The U.S. District Court here granted class-action status to a discrimination lawsuit filed last year by 10 current and former Sodexho employees. (Just In).(Brief Article)
July 16, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The US. DISTRICT COURT here granted class-action status to a discrimination lawsuit filed last year by 10 cur rent and former SODEXHO employees. In a statement, Sodexho once again denied the accusations, saying the "allegations...

A securities analyst here on Monday affirmed his "reduce" rating for P.F. Chang's China Bistro. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
July 16, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- A securities analyst here on Monday affirmed his "reduce" rating for P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO based on perceived future competition for its fast-casual offshoot from the new YUM! BRANDS-backed Asian concept, YAN CAN, which...

IHOP Corp. (Executive Suite).(appoints new marketing executive, Gregg Nettleton)(Brief Article)
July 16, 2002... GLENDALE, Calif. -- IHOP CORP. named GREGG NETTLETON, a former consultant and advertising executive, chief marketing officer for the 1,000-unit family-dining chain He replaces SUSAN HENDERSON-HERNANDEZ, who retired from the chain after eight...

Chevys Inc. (Executive Suite).(CEO Jim Vandercook leaves to join Left Bank)(Brief Article)
July 16, 2002... EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- Mexican-dinnerhouse operator CHEVYS INC. said chief operating officer JIM VANDERCOOK resigned to become the president and a shareholder of LEFT BANK, a three-unit brasserie group based in Larkspur, Calif. Chevys operates...

Stock Watch.
July 16, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change close Dave & Buster's Inc. 20.67 $13.25 Max & Erma's 12.81 14.97...

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department spokes woman Judy Frank said the agency was trying to determine whether the salmonella infection was responsible for that death. (Just In).(Red Lobster has isolated salmonella food poisoning incident)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 15, 2002... CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Health authorities were still not able to say what caused 35 confirmed cases of salmonella food poisoning among people who dined at a RED LOBSTER restaurant here in late June, including one unidentified patient who died...

Completing Advantica Restaurant Group's strategy of becoming a single-brand operator, the company changed its name to Denny's Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 15, 2002... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Completing ADVANTICA RESTAURANT GROUP'S strategy of becoming a single-brand operator, the company changed its name to DENNY'S CORP., following the $32.5 million sale of its COCO'S and CARROWS brands last Wednesday to...