Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from March 2002

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from March 2002

Internal Revenue Service. (Just in).
March 29, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Arguing that Congress never intended to empower to INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to levy taxes on employers based, on estimated underreporting of tips by employees, NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION filed a friend-of-the-court brief...

MS Produce Inc. (Just in).(Brief Article)
March 29, 2002... MIAMI -- MS PRODUCE INC, a Lyons, Ill-based company, is suing BURGER KING CORP. and its largest franchisee, Westchester, Ill-based AMERIKING INC., in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court for alleged wrongful termination of MS' Contract to supply...

Tricon Global Restaurants. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 29, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS said estimated U.S. systemwide sales rose 4 percent for the four weeks ended March. 23. Vs. the year-ago period. Same-store sales were flat. At Pizza Hut, but were up 7 percent at Taco Bell and 4...

C.A. Muer Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 29, 2002... HOUSTON -- After a pending sale of up to 5.2 million shares of stock and following the $28 million acquisition of 16-unit C.A. MUER CORP. last, month, LANDRY'S INC. still expects to attain its previous earnings-per-share forecast. "As a...

Sysco Corp. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
March 29, 2002... HOUSTON -- Foodservice distributor SYSCO CORP., based here, fired accountant ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP and hired ERNST & YOUNG LLP as its replacement. Sysco said its board, executive management and the board's audit committee decided to make the...

Fuddruckers. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 29, 2002... BEVERLY, Mass. -- FUDDRUCKERS launched two new speciality burgers as part of a "Taste of the Tropics" promotion. "We are set to bust our guests out of their winter doldrums with some new combinations that will take their taste buds on spring...

Stockwatch. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
March 29, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. Change Close Morton's Reat. Group 8.84 $13.91 Chicago Pizza & Brewery 5.66 6.35 Main...

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide named Richard Snead president of the 777-unit parent company of T.G.I. Friday. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 28, 2002... DALLAS -- CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE named RICHARD SNEAD president of the 777-unit parent company of T.G.I. Friday's, replacing president and chief executive WALLACE B. DOOLIN, whose departure to join 62-unit LA MADELEINE INC. as chief...

Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. agreed to be taken private by an affiliate of Castle Harlan Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 28, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC. agreed to be taken private by an affiliate of CASTLE HARLAN INC., a New York-based private-equity investment firm, for about $52.7 million in cash, or $12.60 a share. On completion of...

Swissair Group sold Gate Gourmet to Texas Pacific Group. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 28, 2002... ZURICH, Switzerland -- SWISSAIR GROUP sold GATE GOURMET to TEXAS PACIFIC GROUP for the undisclosed sum. Gate Gourmet, with U.S. operations based in Memphis, Tenn., is the world's second-largest airline caterer. Swissair had sought to divest...

J.H. Chapman Group. (Just In).(survey on foodservice acquisitions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 28, 2002... CHICAGO -- Adverse economic conditions that hurt travel-related and restaurant businesses coincided with a steep decline in foodservice merger-and-acquisition deals in 2001, according to a survey by J.H. CHAPMAN GROUP. Its annual Chain...

Sportservice Corp. signed a 20-year contract with the Detroit Tigers baseball club. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 28, 2002... DETROIT -- SPORTSERVICE CORP. signed a 20-year contract with the DETROIT TIGERS baseball club to manage all food and retail services at 2-year-old Comerica Park. Olympia Entertainment was the park's concessionaire since the 40,120-seat...

California Restaurant Association. (Executive Suite).(John D. Dunlap III, Ted J. Balestreri appointed to California Travel and Tourism Commission)(Brief Article)
March 28, 2002... SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Restaurant Association president and chief executive JOHN D. DUNLAP III has been appointed to the CALIFORNIA TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMMISSION by GOV. GRAY DAVIS, Dunlap's office reported. Davis also reappointed...

Stock Watch. (Executive Suite).(various restaurant companies)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 28, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change Close Mortan's Rest. Group 10.65 $12.78 Mexican Restaurants 6.51 3.60 AFC...

Darden Restaurants promoted Olive Garden president Brad Blum. (Just In).(Darden Restaurants makes several key executive appointments)(Brief Article)
March 27, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla. - DARDEN RESTAURANTS promoted Olive Garden president BRAD BLUM and Red Lobster president DICK RIVERA to corporate vice chairmen and replaced them by naming DREW MADSEN president of Olive Garden, and EDNA MORRIS president of Red...

Amid mounting pressure to boost sagging profits, McDonald's Corp. said chairman and chief executive Jack Greenberg. (Just In).(will remain for three more years)(Brief Article)
March 27, 2002... OAK BROOK, III. - Amid mounting pressure to boost sagging profits, MCDONALD'S CORP. said chairman and chief executive JACK GREENBERG, 59, agreed to a board of directors request to stay on as the company's leader for three more years. In its...

Citing Chart House Enterprises Inc's recurring losses from operations and liquidity issues. (Just In).(financial losses reported)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 27, 2002... CHICAGO - Citing CHART HOUSE ENTERPRISES INC's recurring losses from operations and liquidity issues, company's accountants, ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLB expressed "substantial doubt" about Chart House's "ability to continue as a going concern," in a...

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Just In).(target bioterrorism at state level with $1 billion in funding)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 27, 2002... ATLANTA - The federal CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION will disperse nearly $1 billion to state and local health departments to help protect food supplies from bioterrorism. In an annual CDC meeting of epidemiologists normally...

HMSHost Corp. required SMSI Travel Centres Inc. from Toronto-based Lettuce Serview Corp. for an undisclosed sum. (Just In).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 27, 2002... BETHESDA, Md. - Marking its travel-center debut in Canada, HMSHOST CORP. required SMSI TRAVEL CENTRES INC. from Toronto-based LETTUCE SERVIEW CORP. for an undisclosed sum. The deal gives HMSHost 18 highway centers in Ontario whose 56...

Sonic Corp. (Financial Briefs).(posts profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 27, 2002... OKLAHOMA CITY - SONIC CORP., citing its most robust quarterly same-store sales growth since summer 1999, posted a 29-percent rise in earnings to $7.1 million for the second quarter ended Feb. 28 Six-month profits rose 19 percent to $16.7...

Stock watch. (Financial Briefs).
March 27, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Tues. charge Close Top Gainers Garden Fresh Rests. 11.81 $9.75 Ark Restaurant Group 8.30 7.65 Main St. & Main Inc....

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide of Dallas is closing the upscale Star Canyon restaurant. (Just In).(Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. closes Star Canyon restaurant)(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... AUSTIN, Texas -- CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE of Dallas is closing the upscale STAR CANYON restaurant in the INTER-CONTINENTAL STEPHEN F. AUSTIN HOTEL here. Carlson, owner of the T.G.I. Friday's chain, is seeking to sell Star Canyon and...

Wolfgang Puck Casual Dining Co., based here, licensed its Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Wolfgang Puck Express concepts to Magicorp Entertainment Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- WOLFGANG PUCK CASUAL DINING CO., based here, licensed its Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Wolfgang Puck Express concepts to MAGICORP ENTERTAINMENT INC. of Toronto for 24 planned Canadian branches, according to the Financial...

In-N-Out Burger of Irvine, Calif, accepted $250,000 from James Van Blaricum of Arlington, Texas. (Just In).(to settle California lawsuit)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 26, 2002... DALLAS - IN-N-OUT BURGER of Irvine, Calif, accepted $250,000 from JAMES VAN BLARICUM of Arlington, Texas, and $2.50 from each of seven of his former employees to settle a California lawsuit that claimed they had conducted an "elaborate...

Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc. (Executive Suite).(appoints Michael Nakhunst)(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - CHICAGO PIZZA & BREWERY INC., 26-unit parent of the BJ's dinnerhouse-and-brewpub chain, appointed MICHAEL NAKHUNST to the newly created post of chief operating officer. Nakhunst was part of the management team that...

Legal Sea Foods promoted Michael Minichello to the post of director of recruiting. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... BOSTON - LEGAL SEA FOODS promoted MICHAEL MINICHELLO to the post of director of recruiting. Minichello started his career with the seafood restaurant company in 1998 as a restaurant manager and joined the recruiting department in 2000. Legal...

Rare Hospitality Inc. (Executive Suite).(promotes Dick R. Holbrook)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 26, 2002... ATLANTA - RARE HOSPITALITY INC. named DICK R. HOLBROOK, who is president and chief operating officer of Atlanta-based AFC ENTERPRISES INC., to Rare's board of directors. Rare Hospitality currently owns, operates and franchises 199...

Pepsico Inc. has entered into a multi-year partnership with United Airlines, replacing Coca-Cola. (Supplier News).(as provider for airline)(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... PURCHASE, N.Y. - PEPSICO INC. has entered into a multi-year partnership with UNITED AIRLINES, replacing COCA-COLA as the cola provider for all domestic and international United flights. Effective May 1, United and Pepsi's new agreement will...

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Marketing Matters).(promotion for "Spider-Man" movie)(Brief Article)
March 26, 2002... ANAHEIM, Calif. - CKE RESTAURANTS INC. plans to launch a two-part promotional tie-in to the movie "Spider-Man," set for release on May 3. The company's Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains will offer three different collector cups this month and a...

Stock watch.(shares of various restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 26, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Mon. Top Gainers change Close Meritage Hospitality 8.93 $5.00 Smith & Wollenaky 6.18 5.33 Diedrich Coffee Co. 5.42 ...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(first-quarter earnings expectations)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 25, 2002... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP., hampered by ongoing sluggish U.S. sales and continued weak economies in Asia and Latin America, wanted Wall Street that first-quarter earnings would come in at the low end of expectations, leading to a...

Wendy's International. (Just In).(Narragansett, Rhode Island)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2002... NARRAGANSETT, R.I. -- Claiming unequal treatment in light of permits granted to other quick-service concepts, WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL is appealing a decision by a town official here who denied the Columbus, Ohio-based chain's request for a...

RTM Restaurant Group. (Just In).(Sybra Inc. joint venture)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2002... ATLANTA -- Arby's two largest franchisees have disclosed plans that may bring the two companies together. RTM RESTAURANT GROUP, which operates 774 Arby's units, said it submitted a proposal to join forces with the 239-unit Arby's franchisee...

Morton's Restaurant Group. (Just In).(BFMA Holding Corp. plans)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2002... POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- Lanching its second proxy attempt to oust current MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUP board members, BFMA HOLDING CORP. said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it will nominate RICHARD A. BLOOM, LOGAN D....

Stock watch. (Just In).(restaurant industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 25, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Fri. change Close Top Gainers Morton's Rest. Group 9.62 $11.85 Benihana Inc. 6.68 18.13...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 25, 2002... Rare Hospitality's March 21 closing stock price was misreported in Friday's Daily NewsFax, The stock closed last Thursday at $25.50, down 2.78% for the day.

Aramark. (Just In).(contract with Premier Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- ARAMARK said it was awarded an expanded five-year contract as preferred food and facilities services vendor for PREMIER INC., a 1,600-unit chain of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Under the pact, Aramark will be...

All Seasons Services Inc. (Just In).(acquires Melillo Vendmusement Co.)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2002... BROCKTON, Mass. -- ALL SEASONS SERVICES INC. bought MELILLO VENDMUSEMENT CO. of Brockport, Pa., for an undisclosed sum. Melillo is a 45-year-old, full-line vending, office coffee and amusement services company with clients in central...

Starbucks Coffee International. (Just In).(joint venture agreement with Puerto Rico Coffee Partners L.L.C. to form Cafe Del Caribe L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2002... SEATTLE -- STARBUCKS COFFEE INTERNATIONAL signed an agreement with PUERTO RICO COFFEE PARTNERS LLC to open gourmet coffee units in Puerto Rico. The joint-venture company, CAFE DEL CARIBE LLC, will manage day-to-day operations in Puerto Rico,...

CBRL Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(third quarter data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 22, 2002... LEBANON, Tenn. -- CBRL GROUP INC. said to-date same-store sales for the third quarter ending May 3 were up about 4 percent at the 499-unit Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants, vs. the year-ago period. Same-store gift-shop sales in...

Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(first-quarter loss)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 22, 2002... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- MERITAGE HOSPITALITY GROUP INC., a 40-unit Wendy's franchisee, posted, a first-quarter loss of $144,581 vs. a loss of $411,767 in the year-ago quarter. Revenue grew 27 percent to $10A million in the first quarter as...

Darden Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(third quarter data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 22, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla. -- DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. said "exceptionally strong" same-store sales at its Red Lobster and Olive Garden chains drove a 34-period increase in earnings, to $66.2 million, for the third quarter ended Feb. 24. The company which...

Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. (Executive Suite).(appoints Janet Kane, David Catalano)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2002... ORLANDO, Fla., -- In an effort to extend its brand's merchandise strategy - and retail offerings, HARD ROCK CAFE INTERNATIONAL INC. appointed JANET KANE vice president of retail merchandising and licensing and named DAVID CATALANO, vice...

McDonald's Corp. (Marketing Matters).(Happy Meal promotions)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2002... OAKBROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. on April 5 plans to launch new Happy Meal promotions, marking the chain's first tie-ins with MADAME ALEXANDER dolls and MATCHBOX toys. The dolls are smaller versions of five classics - Little Red Riding...

Stock Watch.(various restaurant companies)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 22, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change Close Smith & Wollensky 9.38 $5.75 Quality Dining Inc. 6.84 3.45...

Hardee's will open two units at Busch Stadium here next month to coincide with the baseball season opener. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- HARDEE'S will open two units at Busch Stadium here next month to coincide with the baseball season opener. The fast-foot burger outlets will be located on the stadium concourses along the first- and third-base lines. LARRY...

Checkers Drive-in Restaurants will re-acquire seven Rally's units from RJR Receiver LLC in addition to the two units it bought from the franchisee last year. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... TAMPA, Fla. -- CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS will re-acquire seven Rally's units from RJR RECEIVER LLC in addition to the two units it bought from the franchisee last year. A separate franchisee will purchase two other Rally's units from...

Cantina Roble, a restaurant operated jointly by Elon College and Aramark, opened at a site near the Elon campus. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... ELON, N.C. -- CANTINA ROBLE, a restaurant operated jointly by ELON COLLEGE and ARAMARK, opened at a site near the Elon campus. Cantina Roble will operate seven days a week and feature Southwestern cuisine. The restaurant was designed by...

Sysco Corp. and retail grocer and distributor Sobey's Inc. agreed to sell the Pacific Division of Serca Foodservice Inc. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... HOUSTON -- SYSCO CORP. and retail grocer and distributor SOBEY'S INC. agreed to sell the Pacific Division of SERCA FOODSERVICE INC. to GORDON FOOD SERVICE. Terms were not disclosed. Toronto-based Serca supplies about 100,000 kinds of food...

J. Michael Jenkins, chief executive of Diedrich Coffee Inc., is stepping down from day-to-day operations. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... IRVINE, Calif. -- J. MICHAEL JENKINS, chief executive of DIEDRICH COFFEE INC., is stepping down from day-to-day operations of the coffee segment's No. 2 chain operator to pursue treatment for gastric cancer, the company said. Diedrich's board...

To support its growth plans, 340-unit juice and smoothie bar operator Jamba Juice promoted three executives. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... SANFRANCISCO - To support its growth plans, 340-unit juice and smoothie bar operator JAMBA JUICE promoted three executives, including JIM MIZES, who becomes vice president of brand development Jamba Juice chief executive PAUL E. CLAYTON JR....

Actors Barney Martin and Liz Sheridan. (Marketing Mix).(stars of new Denny's TV ads)(Brief Article)
March 21, 2002... SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Actors BARNEY MARTIN and LIZ SHERIDAN, best known as the television parents of Jerry Seinfeld on the "Seinfeld" sitoom, will be featured in a DENNY'S commercial promoting its $2.99 Grand Slammeal. The new, 30-second TV...

Stockwatch.(restaurant stocks)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 21, 2002... STOCKWATCH (charge over $3) Top Gainers Pct. change Wed. Close Dave & Busters Inc. 5.04 $11.25 Main St. & Main Inc. 4.93 5.09 Schlotzsky's Inc. 4.63 ...

Treasury Department. (Just In).(expected to announce new tax rules for small businesses)(Brief Article)
March 20, 2002... WASHINGTON -- In an effort to help stimulate the economy and create new jobs, PRESIDENT BUSH is advocating larger tax deductions for small businesses, including increases for purchases of new equipment. The TREASURY DEPARTMENT is expected to...

Hooters Management Corp. (Just In).(looks to expand Pete and Shorty's concept)(Brief Article)
March 20, 2002... CLEARWATER, Fla. -- HOOTERS MANAGEMENT CORP., which launched the Hooters brand here in 1983, will take its PETE & SHORTY'S neighbourhood tavein prototype on the road following a three-year test in Florida, according to partner ED DROSTE. With...

Burger King Corp. (Just In).(sees franchisee file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
March 20, 2002... MIAMI -- A former president of BURGER KING CORP., who left the company nearly two decades ago to become a franchisee, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for his BK units, according to local media reports. JERRY RUENHECK, who was...

McDonald's Co. Japan Ltd. (Just In).(announces plans to close units)(Brief Article)
March 20, 2002... TOKYO -- MCDONALD'S CO. JAPAN LTD. said it would shutter a record 130 restaurants this year and cut its number of new openings by nearly 23 percent because Japan's recession has forced large shopping complexes to close, according to published...

Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(reports first quarter financial results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 20, 2002... COLUMBUS, Ohio - MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS INC., whose 73-unit chain includes 10 franchised branches, reported a 30-percent rise in first-quarter profits to $818,523. Revenue rose 4 percent to $44.5 million. Same-store sales rose 0.6 percent.

Chevys Inc. (Executive Suite).(promotes Teresa Robinson to senior vice president, chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
March 20, 2002... EMERYVILLE, Calif. - CHEVYS INC., operator and franchiser of 164 Chevys Fresh Mex and Rio Bravo Fresh Mex dinnerhouses, named TERESA "TERRIE" ROBINSON senior vice president and chief financial officer. She replaces RONALD MACCARONE, who last...

North Carolina Restaurant Association. (Executive Suite).(president, chief executive T. Jerry Williams to retire)
March 20, 2002... RALEIGH, N.C. -- NORTH CAROLINA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION president and chief executive T. JERRY WILLIAMS will retire on June 1 after 33 years with the organization to launch a private lobbying and consulting group, according to NCRA board...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 20, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change Close J. Alexander's Corp. 8.33 $3.25 Benihana Inc. 6.79 16.82...

Tricon Global Restaurants Inc. (Just In).(new executive)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... LOUISVILLE, Ky. - TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS INC. appointed SCOTT BERGREN senior vice president of new concept development and design, a move the parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell said would emphasize the importance of its strategy to...

Ed Tinsley. (Just In).(nominated to run for U.S. House of Representatives)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... SOCORRO, N.M. - ED TINSLEY, head of the 26-unit K-BOB'S STEAKHOUSE chain based in Albequerque, N.M., won a spot Saturday on New Mexico's June 4-Republican primary ballot in his bid for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. JOE...

Chi-Chi. (Just In).(new entrees)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... IRVINE, Calif. - Casual-dining chain CHI-CHI'S rolled out a new "Flaming Fajitas" line of entrees priced from $9 to $14. Varieties include balackened chicken, seared vegetables, grilled garlic shrimp, grilled mesquite chicken and grilled...

Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- ADVANTICA RESTAURANT GROUP INC. said same-stores sales at its 1,735-unit Denny's chain were down 1 percent for the four weeks ended Feb. ""20 vs. the year-ago period. Same-store sales for the same period were down 8.2...

Mexican Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 19, 2002... HOUSTON -- MEXICAN RESTAURANTS INC. reported a 2-percent decline in profits for fiscal 2001, to $848,676. The 84-unit chain, which includes 34 franchised branches, was impacted by fourth-quarter charges of $971,885 for the closure of three...

Sysco Corp. (Financial Briefs).(gets new chief executive/chairman)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... HOUSTON -- SYSCO CORP., the giant foodservice distributor headquartered here, elected RICHARD J. SCHNIEDERS to the posts of chairman and chief executive, effective Jan. 1, 2003. Schnieders, who currently serves as Sysco's president and chief...

Papa John's International. (Executive Suite).(new executive appointments)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... LOUISVILLE, KY -- PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL appointed RICHARD J. EMMETT to senior vice president and general counsel to oversee legal and risk management functions for the $2,734-unit chain operator Emmett, who joined the quick-service pizza...

McDonald's Corp. (Marketing Matters).(launching new ads)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2002... OAK BROOK, Ill.-- MCDONALD'S CORP. plans to break a branding spot called "Kids' Table" during Sunday's broadcast of the Academy Awards. The 30-second spot shows a father eating dinner with adults but longing to be with the kids, who are...

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(stock prices for restaurant firms with large stock price moves in latest week)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 19, 2002... STOCK WATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. change Close Garden Fresh Rests. 20.91 $8.49 Quality Dining Inc. 10.31 3.53...

In an unpublicized keynote address, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan, told the National Restaurant Association-cosponsored Food Safety Summit. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... WASHINGTON -- In an unpublicized keynote address, Sen. PAT ROBERTS, R-Kan, told the National Restaurant Association-cosponsored FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT here that investigations since Sept. 11 by some 80 agencies involved in protecting the nation's...

After pressuring Burger King Corp. last year to implement stricter animal welfare standards, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA. (Just In).(launches marketing promotion for chain's new veggie burger)(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... MIAMI - After pressuring BURGER KING CORP. last year to implement stricter animal welfare standards, PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS, or PETA, now is promoting the burger chain's national rollout of the $1.99 BK. Veggie burger,...

AMR Corp. chairman and chief executive Donald J. Carty is stepping down from Brinker International's board. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... DALLAS - To devote more time to managing the recovery of American Airlines, AMR Corp. chairman and chief executive DONALD J. CARTY is stepping down from BRINKER INTERNATIONAL's board, effective immediately. Brinker chairman and CEO RON...

The James Beard Foundation said George Lang, owner of New York's Cafedes Artistes, is the 2002 recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... NEW YORK - The JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION said GEORGE LANG, owner of New York's CAFEDES ARTISTES, is the 2002 receipient of its. Lifetime Achievement Award. The foundation also named five inductees into its D'Artagan Cervena Who's Who of Food and...

Tyson Foods, based here, requested that the Delaware Supreme Court toss out a ruling last year that required Tyson to merge with food processor IBP Inc. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... SPRINGDALE, Ark.-- TYSON FOODS, based here, requested that the DELAWARE SUPREME COURT toss our a ruling last year that required Tyson to merge with food processor IBP INC. Tyson said it is not looking to alter the completed purchase. Rather,...

Rita's, the 240-unit Italian ice chain. (Marketing Matters).(announces spring promotion)(Brief Article)
March 18, 2002... BENSALEM, Pa - To help customer celebrate the first day of spring, RITA'S, the 240-unit Italian ice chain, will give away a free, medium Italian ice to each customer on Wednesday, March 20. The company said it expects to give away almost...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 18, 2002... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change Close Morton's Rest. Group 7.65 $10.55 Ark Restaurant Group 6.90 7.59 Landry's Seafood ...

Tom Ridge, director of the Office of Homeland Security. (Just In).(suggests single food safety agency)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- TOM RIDGE, director of the OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY, suggested yesterday that it may be time to create a single agency to oversee the nation's food security. In a keynote address before a packed ballroom of food processors,...

National Restaurant Association said. December's sales were up 5 percent from the same month a year earlier, according to the NRA. (Just In).(December, 2001; National Restaurant Association)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Eating and drinking place sales, which fell by $1 billion, or 24 percent, last September following the terrorist attacks in the United States, bounced back by 75 percent in the next thee months and set a single-month sales...

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer asked Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to advocate selling milk from vending machines in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. (Just In).
March 15, 2002... ALBANY, N.Y. -- U.S. Sen. CHARLES SCHUMER asked Agriculture Secretary ANN VENEMAN to advocate selling milk from vending machines in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. In a letter; Schumer said the move could "clean up the dietary...

According to a report released by the Agriculture Department. (Just In).(data on price breaks on school lunches)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- An estimated one-fourth of children now receiving free or reduced-price meals in school may be ineligible because their parents make too much money, according to a report released by the AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT. The study, by...

Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(reports losses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 15, 2002... NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- Calling fiscal 2001 "the most difficult year" in its history, MORTON'S RESTAURANT GROUT INC. reported a 90-percent decline in full-year profits to $989,000, compared with earnings of $10.1 million in 2000. The company...

Burger King Corp. said it will begin a national rollout Monday of the BK Veggie burger and new reduced-fat mayonnaise. (Marketing Matters).
March 15, 2002... MIAMI -- BURGER KING CORP. said it will begin a national rollout Monday of the BK Veggie burger and new reduced-fat mayonnaise. The burger features a flame-boiled parry of blended vegetables, whole grains and spices topped with lettuce,...

Stock watch.
March 15, 2002... STOCKWATCH (Shares overs $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thur change Close Good Times 23.22 $4.49 Quality Diming Inc. 8.94 2.56 Briazz...