Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax articles from March 2003, page 2

Nation's Restaurant News Daily NewsFax archives from March 2003

Stockwatch.(Illustration)
March 18, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Mon. Change Close Famous Dave's of Amer. 8.86 $3.81 Chicago Pizza & Brewery 7.82 6.89...

Main Street and Main Inc. (Just In).(difficult economy causes restaurant operator to terminate or not renew leases on some restaurants)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... PHOENIX -- MAIN STREET AND MAIN INC., Friday's units make it that chain's largest franchisee, said it will not renew leases on some of its "marginally performing" restaurants and has slowed growth of its nine-unit Bamboo Club concept, in some...

Fuddruckers Inc. (Just In).(restaurant chain renames french fries "freedom fries")(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... AUSTIN, Texas -- FUDDRUCKERS INC. said its 200-plus-unit unit casual-dining chain renamed its french flies "freedom flies." The move is part of a trend by restaurants to protest France's opposition to threatened U.S. military action in Iraq....

Buffets Inc. (Just In).(extends purchase-rights deadline for Original Roadhouse Grill restaurants)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... EAGAN, Minn. -- BUFFETS INC. agreed to extend an exclusive purchase-rights deadline to an undisclosed prospective buyer of its 13 Original Roadhouse Grill restaurants from March 14 to March 21. The intended purchaser paid $1 million in...

Marble Slab Creamery Inc., a franchisor of 185 upscale ice cream shops, sold a master franchise for Canada to Calgary, Alberta-based 4037651 Canada Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... HOUSTON -- MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY INC., a franchisor of 185 upscale ice cream shops, sold a master franchise for Canada to Calgary, Alberta-based 4037651 CANADA INC. The Houston-based chain's first international expansion deal calls for the...

NPD Group. (Just In).(french fry consumption at fast-food restaurants fell last year as consumers opted for dollar-menu promotions)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- Sales of french flies, a leading profit source for fast-food restaurants, plummeted last year because of competition from comparably priced value-menu options, the eating-trends research firm NPD Group reported. It...

Roadhouse Grill Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- ROADHOUSE GRILL INC., parent of the 77-unit casual-dining chain of that name, said it narrowed its third-quarter loss to 500,000, or 2 cents a common share, for the 13 weeks ended Jan. 26, compared with a net loss of...

Taco Bell hired Paul Hogan. (Marketing Matters).(butler from 'Joe Millionaire' will promote Steak Quesadilla)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2003... IRVINE, Calif. -- TACO BELL hired PAUL HOGAN, the butler from TV's "Joe Millionaire," for a public-relations campaign to promote the chain's Steak Quesadilla. Hogan will offer tips that play off the chain's 30-second "You've Arrived" TV...

Stockwatch.(restaurant stock data)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 17, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Fri. change Close Benihana 9.50 $10.37 Smith & Wollensky 8.36 4.03 Chicago Pizza &...

Metromedia Restaurant Group said Thursday that it had entered into an agreement to sell three of its four brands to Apex Steakhouse Acquisition Partners of Irving, Texas. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... PLANO, Texas -- METROMEDIA RESTAURANT GROUP said Thursday that it had entered into an agreement to sell three of its four brands to APEX STEAKHOUSE ACQUISITION PARTNERS of Irving, Texas. Terms of the proposed deal to spin off the Bonanza,...

The Women's Foodservice Forum selected Edna Morris, president of Red Lobster, to receive its 2003 Trailblazer Award and Jennifer Convery, vice president of sales for Griffith Laboratories, for its 2003 Emerging Leader Award. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... CHICAGO -- The WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM selected EDNA MORRIS, president of RED LOBSTER, to receive its 2003 Trailblazer Award and JENNIFER CONVERY, vice president of sales for GRIFFITH LABORATORIES, for its 2003 Emerging Leader Award....

Delaware North Cos. Parks & Resorts, a subsidiary of Delaware North Cos. Inc., tapped Seattle Coffee Co. as its exclusive coffee supplier (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... BUFFALO, N.Y -- DELAWARE NORTH COS. PARKS & RESORTS, a subsidiary of DELAWARE NORTH COS. INC., tapped SEATTLE COFFEE CO. as its exclusive coffee supplier. Under terms of the agreement, the hospitality and foodservice contractor will serve...

Panera Bread Co. (Financial Briefs).(sales data)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... ST. LOUIS -- PANERA BREAD CO. said systemwide same-store sales for February fell 1.9 percent, with company units off 1.7 percent and franchises down 2.1 percent. Average weekly sales were $34,110, off 0.5 percent. The operator and franchisor...

Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc. (Financial Briefs).(profit data)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif -- CHICAGO PIZZA & BREWERY INC. posted a net loss of $393,000 for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 29, vs. a net profit of $565,000 in the year-ago period. Profit for the year was $l.7 million, down from $3.2 million in...

Comac Food Group Inc. (Executive Suite).(president John G. Beauparlant resigns)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... CALGARY, Alberta -- COMAC FOOD GROUP INC., whose operations include more than 250 Domino's Pizza, Pastel's Cafe and Company's Coming bakery-cafe units, said president JOHN G. BEAUPARLANT resigned to pursue other interests, effective March 31....

Damon's Restaurants Inc. (Marketing Matters).(new menu items)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DAMON'S RESTAURANTS INC. rolled out new lunch, dinner and appetizer items, $5.99 to $8.49, in the third phase of a menu overhaul that began in 2001. Among lunch dishes added by the chain of more than 140 outlets are four...

Stockwatch.(stock prices, various restaurants)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 14, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change close Cheesecake Factory 8.08 $30.76 Darden Restaurants 7.85 19.23 Jack in...

Burger King Corp. (Just In).(testing Grill 'N Go concept in the UK)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... LONDON -- BURGER KING CORP. launched a new self-service, limited-menu test outlet here called Grill 'N Go, according to a published report. The new concept reportedly features the No. 2 burger chain's classic Whopper, fries, onion rings and...

Dolphin Limited Partnership LP. (Just In).(displeased with Dave & Buster's Inc. formation of committees)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... STAMFORD, Conn. -- DOLPHIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP LP, the firm based here that owns 9.1 percent of the outstanding shares of DAVE & BUSTER'S INC. of Dallas, on Tuesday criticized the 32-unit chain operator's formation of a nominating and...

Neil Stein. (Just In).(seeks bankruptcy protection for three of four restaurants)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Prominent local restaurateur NEIL STEIN petitioned for Chapter ii bankruptcy protection for three of his four restaurants but said all would remain open. His lawyer on Friday filed court petitions for Striped Bass, Avenue B...

McDonald's Corp. (Financial Briefs).(same store sales fall for 12 straight months)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... OAK BROOK, ILL. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. said same-store sales of its namesake restaurants declined 4.7 percent for the four weeks ended Feb. 28, vs. a 0.4-percent increase in the preceding February, marking the chain's 12th straight monthly...

Furr's Restaurant Group Inc. (Financial Briefs).(shares to be delisted)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... RICHARDSON, Texas -- FURR'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC. said it was notified that its shares will be delisted from the American Stock Exchange, effective March 17. Trading was halted on the stock on Jan. 2. Fun's, which filed for Chapter 11...

Rubio's Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(fourth quarter financial details)(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... CARLSBAD, Calif. -- RUBIO'S RESTAURANTS INC. said its fourth-quarter loss before special charges narrowed to $38,000, or a nil per-share result, from a quarterly loss of $718,000, or 8 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenues from the...

Bob Evans Restaurants. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- BOB EVANS RESTAURANTS promoted RANDY HICKS to senior vice president of restaurant operations and BILL STRIKER to vice president and regional director of restaurant operations. The 510-unit chain operator said it is expanding...

Papa John's International. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
March 13, 2003... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL is offering customers free cheesesticks and a 99-cent, 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola with the purchase of a large one-topping pizza for $9.99 as part of an NCAA "March Madness" promotion. Papa John's...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 13, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Wed. change close Back Yard Burgers 5.58 $4.75 CKE Restaurants 3.63 4.00 Dave & Buster's ...

NPD Group. (Just In).(issues consumer spending report)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- A report from NPD GROUP said consumer spending in the restaurant sector last year grew 2 percent over 2001 levels, marking the slowest annual growth rate ever recorded by the market information provider. The...

U.S. House of Rep-Resentatives. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Cafeterias at the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on Tuesday joined a growing list of restaurants nationwide that have removed the "French" descriptor from their menus to protest France's opposition to threatened U.S. military...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(partners with Intel)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP. said selected units in New York City now offer high-speed wireless Internet access for customers through a partnership with INTEL CORP. The pilot program includes 10 McDonald's in Manhattan and is scheduled...

Carvel Corp. (Just In).(expanding)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... ROCKY HILL, Conn. -- CARVEL CORP. said it is targeting the Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla., areas for expansion of its ice cream shops. Carvel has more than 400 franchised locations and sells its ice cream cakes in more than 6,000 supermarkets...

The Department of Consumer Affairs. (Just In).(sidewalk cafes)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- The DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS here is slated to hold a hearing Thursday on legislation passed unanimously by the City Council in January to streamline the city's sidewalk cafe approval process and enable the raising of rents...

Quality Dining Inc. (Financial Briefs).(first quarter earnings)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- QUALITY DINING INC. reported earnings for the first quarter ended Feb. 16 of $l79,000, or 2 cents per diluted share, vs. $941,000, or 8 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenues fell 12 percent to $70.7 million. QDI said...

Bennigan. (Executive Suite).(promoted Nick Flanagan)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... PLANO, Texas -- BENNIGAN'S promoted NICK FLANAGAN to vice president of worldwide franchising for the 300-unit chain. He was vice president of international operations for Bennigan's and Ponderosa, both arms of METROMEDIA RESTAURANT GROUP....

Stockwatch (shares over $3).(Brief Article)
March 12, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Tues. change close Famous Dave's of Amer. 5.06 $3.53 Benihana 4.91 9.82 Back Yard...

The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. (Just In).(class-action status denied to a lawsuit against the company )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... LEBANON, Tenn. -- The CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE chain said a federal judge in Georgia again denied class-action status to a lawsuit against the company that alleged it discriminated against African-American employees. U.S. District...

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Just In).(suit against McDonald's)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... NORTHPORT, Ala. -- An ex-MCDONALD'S worker has sued her former employee, a franchise here, for allegedly discriminating against her by denying her the chance for a promotion and forcing her to quit because her face is disfigured. The...

Aramark signed a three-year foodservice contract extension with AstraZeneca. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- ARAMARK signed a three-year foodservice contract extension with ASTRAZENECA, a pharmaceutical company based in Wilmington, Del. The pact covers six cafeterias, a convenience store, all vending services and catering for all...

The five-unit FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES signed its first area-development agreement with local restaurateur SEAN MCCARTHY. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... ALEXANDRIA, Va -- The five-unit FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES signed its first area-development agreement with local restaurateur SEAN MCCARTHY, under which he agreed to open five units in Washington, D.C. Five Guys said it plans to open at...

The Manufacturers' Agents Association For The Foodservice Industry. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... ATLANTA -- The MANUFACTURERS' AGENTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY is projecting a 0.8-percent year-over-year rise in spending on equipment and supplies for the industry for the first quarter of 2003. The MAFSI forecasts a...

Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... RANDOLPH, Mass. -- ALLIED DOMECQ QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANTS hired MICHAEL SHANNON as international brand director for the Dunkin' Donuts chain. Most recently he was a marketing manager for the Snacks Unlimited division of General Mills.

Schwan Food Co. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... MARSHALL, Minn. -- SCHWAN FOOD CO. here, a leading frozen-appetizer and baked goods specialist, said SUREBEAM CORP. founder, president and chief executive LARRY OBERKFELL is leaving the No. 1 food irradiator to be president and chief...

KFC. (Marketing Matters).(television ads created by BBDO)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- KFC plans to break a one-month network TV campaign March 17 of ads with TRISTA REHN of "The Bachelorette" and EVAN MARRIOTT, a.k.a. "Joe Millionaire," promoting its limited-time Honey BBQ Boneless Wings. The 15- and...

Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... LOUISVILLE, Colo. -- The OLD CHICAGO chain, a division of 85-unit ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANTS INC., launched a new weekday "Express Lunch" program. Prices start at $4.99 for such items as a roast beef or turkey stromboli sandwich.

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Mon. change close Top Gainers Peet's Coffee & Tea 3.00 $15.41 Famous Dave's of Amer. 2.44 3.36 Total...

Olympia Snowe. (Just In).(trying to get health insurance for more of the uninsured)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Sen. OLYMPIA SNOWE, R-Maine, introduced a companion bill in the Senate Thursday to a House bill submitted Feb. 11 that also seeks to reduce the ranks of the nation's 41 million uninsured people by giving small businesses...

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... IRVINE, Calif. -- The COALITION OF IMMOKALEE WORKERS concluded a 10-day hunger strike at the headquarters of Mexican quick-service segment leader TACO BELL here after a continuation of the group's long-running effort to force the chain to...

Eateries Inc. signed Mid South Casual Dining Inc. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... EDMOND, Okla. -- EATERIES INC. signed MID SOUTH CASUAL DINING INC. to a franchise pact for the development of six Garfield's Restaurant & Pub outlets in Mississippi. Principals of Mid South, which plans to open its first Garfield's in...

Denny's Corp. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- DENNY'S CORP. said same-store sales fell 2.4 percent in February. The operator and franchisor of approximately 1,700 namesake restaurants said the chain's average guest check rose 2.6 percent in February, but guest counts...

Ryan's Family Steak Houses Inc. (Financial Briefs).(sales affected by winter weather)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... GREER, S.C. -- RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES INC., citing severe winter weather, said same-store sales declined 5.3 percent in February. The operator of 325 Ryan's restaurants said total sales for February fell 1 percent to $61.7 million.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. (Executive Suite).(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... CHICAGO -- The NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION hired SUSAN ANDERSON-KULEIF to head its Strategic Initiatives division. Anderson-Khleif, a former senior leader at Motorola Corp.'s Motorola University, replaces NRAEF...

McDonald's Corp. (Marketing Matters).(to launch a new game for consumers)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP., amid concerns on Wall Street that its February same-store sales report will lag already cautious expectations, is resuming sweepstakes promotions after implementing new security measures designed to avert...

Stock Watch.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Fri. Top Gainers change close Smith & Wollensky Rest. 12.03 $3.91 Peet's Coffee & Tea 8.89 14.96 Wendy's International ...

McDonald's Corp. (Just In).(revamped its web site)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- MCDONALD'S CORP., a target recently of several and-fat lawsuits, has revamped its www.mcdonalds.com Web site and activated anew toll-flee phone line so consumers can more easily understand the nutrition values of the...

The 75-unit Pick Up Stix chain of Asian restaurants. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... DALLAS -- CHARLES ZHANG, founder of the 75-unit PICK UP STIX chain of Asian restaurants, has stepped down as president and chief executive for personal health reasons, owner CARISON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE announced here Thursday. RICHARD...

Donatos Pizzeria Corp. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Officials of DONATOS PIZZERIA CORP., while denying minors that parent MCDONALD'S CORP. may try to sell the chain of more than 180 restaurants, accepted the annual "Pizza Industry Enterprise" award at a trade show here late...

Ameriking Inc. (Financial Briefs).(second-largest Burger King franchisee)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... WESTCHESTER, Ill. -- AMERIKING INC., the second-largest Burger King franchisee, which filed for Chapter 11 brankruptcy last December, received approval from a bankruptcy court for a two-week extension of authority to fund operations with its...

Brinker International Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... DALLAS -- BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC. reported a 0.8 percent increase in same-store sales for the four weeks ended Feb. 26, compared with the year-ago period, citing the negative impact of severe winter weather through much of the United...

Qdoba Mexican Grill. (Marketing Matters).(adds to the menu)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... DENVER -- QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL said it is rolling out three grilled quesadillas at its restaurants systemwide. Qdoba added the grilled cheese, chicken and steak quesadillas, which start at $4.69 to its lineup at corporate stores in Denver,...

Stock Watch.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Top Gainers Pct. Thurs. change close Mexican Restaurants 5.71 $3.33 Max & Erma's Rcst. 4.83 15.20 Ark Restaurants...

Landry's Restaurants Inc. (Just In).(Colorado Ocean's Journey)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... DENVER -- LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS INC., which made a winning bid of $13.6 million Tuesday to purchase the bankrupt COLORADO OCEAN'S JOURNEY, plans to turn the 17-acre aquarium complex into an entertainment destination with a seafood restaurant...

Papa John's Pizza International opened the first of multiple planned restaurants in Greece. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA INTERNATIONAL opened the first of multiple planned restaurants in Greece. The new unit, located in Patra, is franchised by PAPA JOHN'S HELLAS SA. The chain also added its first store in Aruba, which was...

Fayette County Board Of Health. (Just In).(ban smoking in restaurants and bars)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH will hold three public hearings on its proposal to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. One hearing will be broadcast live on a local radio station throughout the county. Many local...

The Federal Trade Commission. (Supplier News).(seek a preliminary injunction to block the merger)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION said it would seek a preliminary injunction to block the merger of NESTLE SA and DREYER'S GRAND ICE CREAM INC. The FTC said in a statement that the merger would give the resulting company 60 percent...

Avado Brands Inc. said its auditors, KPMG LLP, expressed "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to continue as a "going concern" because ofpressing debt terms and ongoing losses from operations. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... MADISON, Ga. -- AVADO BRANDS INC. said its auditors, KPMG LLP, expressed "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to continue as a "going concern" because ofpressing debt terms and ongoing losses from operations. Avado, owner and...

Bob Evans Farms Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- BOB EVANS FARMS INC. said same-store sales fell 7.7 percent in February despite a 3.4-percent rise in average menu prices. The 509-unit family-dining chain attributed the decline to severe winter weather, but said it is...

Mcdonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) Ltd. (Executive Suite).(resignation)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... TOKYO -- MCDONALD'S HOLDINGS CO. (JAPAN) LTD. said its legendary founder and former president, DEN FUJITA, would resign as chairman and chief executive on March 28. Fujita, who turns 77 next week; led the chain's growth in Japan to become...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Wed. Top Gainers change close Back Yard Burgers 5.71 $4.81 Chicago Pizza & Brewery 5.61 5.84 Diedrich Coffee ...

The Westchester County Legislature voted 12-3 to enact a strict ban on smoking in all public workplaces, including restaurants and bars. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The Westchester County Legislature voted 12-3 to enact a strict ban on smoking in all public workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The ban, which would take effect 90 days after County Executive ANDREW SPANO signs...

The International Franchise Association said it is joining forces with the National Franchise Council. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... WASHINGTON - The INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION said it is joining forces with the NATIONAL FRANCHISE COUNCIL. NFC, which represents fianchisors in opposing legal and regulatory impediments to flanchise growth, will become an IFA...

Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants. (Just In).(Togo's introduces line of toasted sandwiches)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... RANDOLPH, Mass. -- TOGO'S, the 400-plus-unit sandwich chain owned by ALLIED DOMECQ QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANTS, will introduce a line of toasted sandwiches at its 52 Chicago and New York branches starting March 10. The varieties are chicken...

Back Yard Burgers Inc. (Just In).(Well Done Enterprises Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- BACK YARD BURGERS INC. signed WELL DONE ENTERPRISES INC. to a development deal calling for the opening of 23 units in the Washington, D.C., area and two in the State College, Pa, area over the next 10 years. Well Done is...

The Patina Group. (Just In).(catering contract for COPIA)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... NAPA, Calif. -- The PATINA GROUP won the catering contract for COPIA: THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR WINE & FOOD here and began lunch service Feb. 27, with dinner to follow starting March 20, a Copia spokeswoman said. Los Angeles-based Patina Group,...

Panera Bread Co. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... VILLAPARK, Calif. -- PANERABREAD CO.'s St. Louis Bread and Panera Bread chains garnered the No. 1 and No. 3 spots, respectively, in SANDELMAN & ASSOCIATES INC.'s "2002 Fast-Food Awards of Excellence," based on customer-satisfaction ratings in...

Domino's Inc. (Financial Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- DOMINO'S INC., operator and franchisor of 7,230 outlets, said fourth-quarter net income rose 90 percent to $23.1 million on a systemwide sales increase of 2.9 percent to $1.2 billion. Corporate revenue fell 0.4 percent for...

Carlson Cos. (Executive Suite).(appointment)
March 5, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS - CARLSON COS. promoted CURTIS NELSON to the new posts of president and chief operating officer. MARILYN CARLSON NELSON will remain chairman and chief executive of the company, which owns the T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix...

Stockwatch.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... STOCKWATCH (shares over $3) Pct. Tues. Top Gainers change close Smith & Wollensky Rest. 8.00 $3.78 Checkers Drive-In Rests. 4.10 6.38 Famous Dave's of Amer. ...

Citizens for Freedom of Choice. (Just In).(group of restaurant owners may seek injunction to stop enforcement of Dallas' new smoking ban)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... DALLAS -- A district judge on Friday denied a temporary restraining order sought by a smoker and a coalition of restaurant owners to stop the enforcement of Dallas' new smoking ban, which went into effect March 1. The coalition of about 200...

Health and Human Services Committee. (Just In).(bill to ban smoking in Nebraska restaurants and bars with kitchens barely approved by committee)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... LINCOLN, Neb. -- A bill to ban smoking in Nebraska restaurants and in bars with kitchens narrowly advanced out of the HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE by a 4-3 vote Friday. The bill's sponsor, Sen. NANCY THOMPSON, D-Papillion, reportedly...

Dining services employees at Yale University were among 5,000 workers who walked off the job Monday to protest the lack of a contract. (Just In).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Dining services employees at YALE UNIVERSITY were among 5,000 workers who walked off the job Monday to protest the lack of a contract. The strike forced Yale to close all but one of its dining halls, and resident students...

Creative Host Services. (Executive Suite).(Lynette McCullough is new chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Airport concessionaire CREATIVE HOST SERVICES hired LYNETTE MCCULLOUGH as its new chief financial officer. McCullough, a certified public accountant who joined the company from Wireless Knowledge Inc., once was director of...

CKE Restaurants Inc. (Financial Briefs).(sales for four weeks ended February 24, 2003)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- CKE RESTAURANTS INC. said same-store sales at its 2,255-unit Hardee's chain fell 53 percent for the four weeks ended Feb. 24. Same store sales rose 1.7 percent at 981unit Carl's Jr. and 5.2 percent at 98-unit La Salsa...

Family Steak Houses of Florida Inc. (Financial Briefs).(fourth-quarter loss)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... NEPTUNE BEACH, FLA. -- FAMILY STEAK HOUSES OF FLORIDAINC., the only franchisee of Ryan's Family Steak Houses Inc., reported a fourth-quarter loss of $1.7 million, or 45 cents a share, vs. a loss of $575,200, or 18 cents a share, in the...

Wendy's International Inc. (Financial Briefs).(February sales)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... DUBLIN, Ohio -- WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. reported a 2.6-percent drop in same-store sales for its company-owned namesake units in February and a decline of 1.7 percent to 2.0 percent for franchised Wendy's. The company said sales were hurt...

El Pollo Loco rolled out two entree-size salads, priced at $4.99 each. (Marketing Matters).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2003... IRVINE, Calif. -- EL POLLO LOCO rolled out two entree-size salads, priced at $4.99 each. The Chicken Caesar includes the 300-unit chain's marinated, flame-grilled chicken on a bed of lettuce with fiesta tortilla strips, cotija cheese, pico de...