27 February 2009

Lansing, Michigan - Govenor wants bars to stay open till 4 a.m.

The plan involves liquor stores and restaurants selling spirits on Sunday mornings and bar owners buying permits for their establishments to stay open until 4 a.m. The expanded hours for liquor sales would generate an estimated $13.7 million for the state's general fund, the pot over which the governor and lawmakers have spending discretion. Additional revenue would come from the sale of the special permits priced at $1,500 each.

Bill calls for calorie info on chain menus

AUGUSTA — Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree has submitted legislation that would require some chain restaurants to include calorie information on their menu boards, an attempt to address the state's – and country's – growing obesity problem.

26 February 2009

Pizza players optimistic about '09

Two of the largest pizza delivery companies, Domino’s Pizza Inc. and Papa John’s International Inc., put their best foot forward this week to close out a rough 2008 and project better days ahead for 2009.

Plan to Post Health Dept. Grades in Restaurants Gets Mixed Response

Under the current system, restaurants are inspected only once a year, and the numerical grades — anything above 28 is a failing mark — are available at the department or online at www.nyc.gov/health.

Recession finger lickin' good for KFC's UK chief Martin Shuker

Amid the gloom on Britain's high streets, one retail sector is booming, opening hundreds of new branches and creating thousands of jobs. Britain's status as a fast food nation seems to have only been strengthened by the recession and Martin Shuker, UK and Ireland chief executive of fried chicken chain KFC, is unashamedly unapologetic.

Corner Bakery Named One of the Healthiest Fast-Food Chains

Corner Bakery Cafe was recognized as one of the healthiest quick-serve chains for 2009 in Health magazine's March issue.

Some Old Tricks To Manage Successful Food And Beverage Operations

Food and beverages sector standing firm in the face of adversities

Dubai Chamber of Commerce &Industry hosted a networking luncheon today at the Monarch Hotel in honour of its members from the Dubai Food and Beverage, Vegetable and Foodstuff trading business groups and regional and global delegates from 76 countries attending the 14th edition of the Gulfood 2009 exhibition.

Hotels group holds career management presentation

Intercontinental Hotels Group conducted a day-long trainee management career presentation for Stenden University’s students. The programme included presentations from heads of the food and beverage department, kitchen, front office, housekeeping, sales and marketing, finance and recreation departments.

Famous Dave's Reports Full Year 2008 Results of $0.04 Per Share

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) today announced revenue of $32.8 million, up 4.4 percent over the comparable period in 2007, and a net loss of $2.0 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for its fiscal fourth quarter ended December 28, 2008.

24 February 2009

Restaurant all set for growth

Singapore: The popular Peach Garden restaurant and catering chain has changed hands in a $10.2 million deal that will help it expand much faster.

Restaurants struggle as consumers eat at home

Cash-strapped consumers are getting reacquainted with cooking at home, and that's been bad news for restaurants. The dining-out industry is suffering through a major fire in the kitchen. Slowing business is forcing chains to shut locations.

Trim chefs share their fitness secrets

Los Angeles's top chefs tell how they stay in shape, despite job-related pitfalls, pressures.

23 February 2009

5 Simple Ways To Green Your Meetings

According to recent research, more than two-thirds of meeting professionals take environmental considerations into account when planning their conferences.

Restaurant Food Costs: What Gives?

In light of soaring prices on everything from cheese to chicken, restaurant operators are taking a multipronged approach to striking a budget balance.

TELLURIDE: Intimate, Slow Food Dining

Ritz sale sets an ominous marker

The Hurstville Ritz was sold 10 days ago for 27 per cent less than the price paid 19 months earlier, reigniting fears that the banks will not recover the loans they made during an aggressive push into the hotel industry over the past five years.

McDonald's CEO says no share loss to Starbucks

When asked if Starbucks, which recently revamped its morning menu with healthier choices, has taken a bite out of McDonald's dominant share of the breakfast business, Skinner said: 'No, I don't think so in terms of market share.'

18 February 2009

Jack in the Box hurt by higher costs in 1Q

Jack in the Box Inc. on Tuesday reported a nearly 22-percent slide in first-quarter profit, in part because of higher beef and packaging costs. However, the company's namesake quick-service chain saw some improvement in the economically hard-hit regions of California, Texas and Las Vegas, officials said.

Central Florida Culinary Hall of Fame

Central Florida's culinary history is a diverse story, shaped by thousands of farmers, chefs, business leaders, educators and passionate foodies. From the soil to the table, these professionals have demonstrated a commitment to quality and a vision for the future.

Mardi Gras is 'Skinny Tuesday' at Long John Silver’s

Long John Silver's is discounting its new Freshwater Grille line of grilled seafood dishes next Tuesday.

Pat &Oscar’s promises more value &food variety

The top two leaders at Pat &Oscar’s recently led a management buyout of the 19-unit chain.

17 February 2009

Starbucks to offer instant coffee

Starbucks will unveil an instant coffee product next week that it says is more than 20 years in the making.

KFC to create 9,000 jobs in UK expansion drive

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has said that it plans to open between 200 and 300 new restaurants creating 9,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland in the next three to five years.

12 February 2009

Atlanta-area restaurants banking on Valentine’s bounce

Making sure you take your sweetie out to dinner this Valentine’s Day will mean more than just avoiding a night on the lumpy couch.

Strategies for Hotel Banquet Managers.

This particular column on HOTEL BANQUET MANAGERS addresses a very important component of many full service hotels and is the first of eight topics planned for 2009 columns. Banquets are important to the profitability and reputation of many hotels and important to the individuals who have elected to host a group event in an organized banquet.

Chefs find new life in retirement communities

High-end retirement communities are one of the most competitive real estate markets right now.

Fairmont Hotels &Resorts extablishes presence in Asia

Global hospitality leader, Fairmont Hotels &Resorts, has further expanded its global footprint by introducing the company’s collection of distinctive hotels and worldwide reputation for excellence to the Asia Pacific region.

Indoor Waterpark Resorts Grow and Face Challenges in 2009

The latest biannual survey of indoor waterpark resorts in the U.S. and Canada by Hotel &Leisure Advisors, LLC (H&LA) indicates that the number of new indoor waterpark resort projects is expected to decline in 2009 after steady growth from 2004 through 2008.

10 February 2009

McDonald's reports strong sales in January

McDonald's continued its sales momentum into January with a global same-store sales increase of 7.1 percent for the month, including a 5.4-percent rise in the United States.

New Orleans: New shops, eateries and pubs lead a resurgence in old Mandeville

Houses were rebuilt and restaurants and bars came back, but for nearly three years after the storm, that vital piece of the neighborhood fabric was missing.

Cohn group brings its fare to beach resort

There's a change in the landscape of downtown Oceanside. The Cohn Restaurant Group has quietly opened its 13th restaurant, 333 Pacific, across the street from the municipal pier.

09 February 2009

Restaurateurs bet on new ventures, remodels despite economy

What do you do when faced with the worst economic environment in decades? You open a restaurant, of course.

Columbus Blue Jackets add Montgomery Inn

The team this week said it has an agreement for the Cincinnati-based barbecue restaurant to hawk its pulled pork and smoked chicken sandwiches at four concession stands and a portable cart at Nationwide Arena.

05 February 2009

Restaurants Stop Playing Hard to Get

HAS a restaurant hugged you lately?

Clifton's cafeteria: The place where L.A. finds itself

With its long history and family tradition, Clifton's Brookdale still draws diners of all stripes. 'It's like coming home,' one patron says.

Adverse economy has restaurateurs re-evaluating green initiatives

Concerned over the effect the economy is having on their businesses, restaurateurs are being forced to rethink how much "green" they can actually spend on environmental practices.

04 February 2009

Restaurant owners don't like taste of proposed food tax

Local restaurant owners are chewing over the pros and cons of a food and beverage tax, with almost all opposed to anything that could take a bite out of already skinny profit margins.

Yum posts 12% dip in 4Q profit

Yum! Brands Inc. reported Tuesday a 12-percent drop in fourth-quarter profit as one-time charges for refranchising gains and the restructuring of its U.S. business negatively impacted the company’s bottom line.

Pano’s &Paul’s says goodbye

One of Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants, Pano’s &Paul’s, will close after Valentine’s Day, just five days short of its 30th anniversary.

03 February 2009

Obama Says FDA Needs Review After Peanut Illnesses

President Barack Obama urged a “complete review” of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the agency failed to prevent contamination of peanut butter linked to deaths, illnesses and one of the largest U.S. food recalls.

Study: Kids’ menus grow up with tots’ palates

Independent restaurants are appealing to children’s increasingly sophisticated tastes by adding more adult-style foods to their kids’ menus, according to a study released Monday by Technomic Inc.

Johnny Rockets to open unit on military base

Continuing its strategy of growth in non traditional locations, Johnny Rockets said it would open its first unit on a military base in May.

Cuscapi aims solutions at small F&B outlets

SHAH ALAM: Business management solutions provider Cuscapi Bhd targets this year to sell at least 500 of its Transight Xpress systems, which is used in the management of small enterprises in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

02 February 2009

Starwood Hotels &Resorts Worldwide Inc. Q4 2008 Earnings Call Transcript

Q4 2008 Earnings Call Transcript

Restaurants see uptick in January

Kevin Moore is beginning to see the signs that people are deciding to dine at home – but despite waning consumer confidence the general manager of Satterfield’s Restaurant said his restaurant is having a better-than-expected January.

Survey Puts Restaurant Work Force at 105,000

There are more than 6,500 food and beverage establishments in San Diego, including full-service restaurants, fast food emporiums, food-court counters and institutional cafeterias