{"id":345,"date":"2011-07-28T08:29:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-28T12:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom.chainstoreguide.com\/2011\/07\/foodservice-industry-updates-july-2011\/"},"modified":"2011-07-28T08:29:00","modified_gmt":"2011-07-28T12:29:00","slug":"foodservice-industry-updates-july-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2011\/07\/foodservice-industry-updates-july-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"Foodservice Industry Updates &#124; July 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Personnel Updates:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Au Bon Pain<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced the addition of veteran Executive Chef Stefano Cordova to lead the company&#8217;s culinary efforts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Boston Pizza International<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> promoted Mark Pacinda to CEO\/President.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Boyd Gaming Corporation<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Cori Rutherford has been named VP and General Manager of Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Carmike Cinemas, Inc.<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Daniel E. Ellis has been named to the positions of Senior VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective 8\/1\/11. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Cedar Fair Entertainment Company<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Matthew A. Ouimet has been named President of the company, effective immediately. Cedar Fair also announced that CFO Peter J. Crage has submitted his letter of resignation, effective June 22, 2011; David R. Hoffman, VP of Finance and Corporate Tax, and Brian C. Witherow, VP and Corporate Controller, will lead the finance function in the interim while the company conducts a search for Crage&#8217;s successor. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Church\u2019s Chicken<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named Pedro Voyer as Global Chief Development Officer; he was most recently Senior VP at <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Burger King<\/b>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Churchill Downs Incorporated<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named veteran gaming executive Reginald Fullwood Jr. as a Senior VP of CDI and general manager of <st1:place w:st=\"on\">Harlow<\/st1:place>&#8216;s Casino Resort &#038; Hotel; Fullwood most recently served as Senior VP and General Manager of Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk, CO.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">CKE Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">, Inc. named Brad Haley Chief Marketing Officer.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Craft Brewers Alliance<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> appointed Andrew J. Thomas as President of Commercial Operations.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Del Frisco&#8217;s Restaurant Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named April Scopa as VP of Human Resources and Training.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Del Taco<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> promoted Michael Vogel to VP Franchise Sales.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Dickey\u2019s Barbecue Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> hired Carlos Reyes from <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">SYSCO Corp.<\/b> as its new CFO.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:placename w:st=\"on\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Disney<\/span><\/b><\/st1:placename><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> <st1:placetype w:st=\"on\">Parks<\/st1:placetype><\/span><\/b><\/st1:place><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> &#038; Resorts<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> President Al Weiss will retire 11\/1\/11.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Farmer Boys Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced the hiring of new Chief Financial Officer Judy Lewis.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Fazoli\u2019s<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> hired James Franks as VP of Franchising.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> President of Worldwide Hotel Operations Jim FitzGibbon is retiring; succeeding him will be Chris Hart as President of Hotel Operations in the Asia Pacific and Craig Reid as President of Hotel Operations in the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Americas<\/st1:country-region>, and Antoine Corinthios as President of Hotel Operations in Europe, Middle East and <st1:place w:st=\"on\">Africa<\/st1:place>. Four Seasons also promoted Chris Hunsberger as Exec VP of Product and Innovation.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. has appointed Eric Rosenzweig as its next CIO.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">InterContinental Hotels Group PLC<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Kirk Kinsell has been appointed President, the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Americas<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>, succeeding current President and Executive Director Jim Abrahamson who is leaving the Group to take up the role of CEO of Interstate Hotels &#038; Resorts later this year. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Interstate Hotels &#038; Resorts <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">named Jim Abrahamson as CEO, assuming the position later this year and succeeding current CEO Tom Hewitt.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced that Arnold L. Block has been named the Company&#8217;s COO effective immediately.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Johnny Rockets<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced the following: David Kreizinger has been hired as VP of Finance, Brett Willis was hired as Senior VP of Franchise Sales, and Mike Chico was named Manager of<br \/>\nFacility Design. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Keystone Foods<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named Larry McWilliams to succeed Jerry Dean as CEO\/President.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Kona Grill Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. named Michael A. Nahkunst as CEO\/President to replace Marc A. Buehler.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">McDonald&#8217;s Corporation<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Bridget Coffing has been promoted to Senior VP of McDonald&#8217;s Corporate Relations.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Papa Murphy\u2019s International<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> hired Ken Calwell to serve as President; he most recently was Chief Marketing Officer for Wendy\u2019s International.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Penn National Gaming, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced that subject to customary regulatory approvals, Ameet Patel has been named General Manager of Hollywood Casino Columbus in Franklin County, OH, effective 8\/1\/11. Mr. Patel currently serves as General Manager of Penn National\u2019s Argosy Casino Hotel &#038; Spa in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Riverside<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">MO.<\/st1:state><\/st1:place> John Chaszar, will succeed Patel as General Manager of Argosy Casino Hotel &#038; Spa.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Pyramid Hotel Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named Richard Holtzman as Senior VP of Resort Operations.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Real Mex Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> Inc. has named Edie Ames to be its next COO; she was most recently at <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Del Frisco\u2019s<\/b>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Red Robin Gourmet Burgers<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Inc<\/b>. announced that CFO Katie Scherping and Chief Marketing Officer Susan Lintonsmith will leave the company effective 7\/15\/11; a search is underway for their successors.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Restaurants Unlimited<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that industry veteran Chris Harter has been selected to lead the company as its chief CEO. Harter is the former President of <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Levy Restaurants<\/b>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">SPoT Coffee Ltd<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced that effective June 1st, the Company promoted Ms. Ying Chen to the role of CFO.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Texas Roadhouse Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. reported that Sheila C. Brown, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, plans to retire effective 1\/7\/12; Jill Marchant will become the new General Counsel on 8\/15\/11.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">The <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation<\/b> named foodservice veteran Lynette McKee to the post of Executive Director; she was most recently Senior VP and Chief Development Officer at Checkers.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Tin Star Taco Bar<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Don McElroy has been named Senior VP of Operations and Franchise Relations. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Vail Resorts, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced the appointment of Kirsten A. Lynch as its new Chief Marketing Officer. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Z\u2019Tejas Southwestern Grill<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> named Allen Arroyo as CFO.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Financial Focus:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">AMC Entertainment<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> reported total revenues of $2,422,968,000 for the year ending 3\/31\/11; concession sales were $664,108,000.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Benihana Inc.<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> reported total revenues of $327,640,000 for the year ending 3\/27\/11.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Bob Evans Farms Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. reported total net sales of $1,676,906,000 for the year ending 4\/29\/11; sales at Bob Evans restaurants were $976,666,000 and at Mimi\u2019s Caf\u00e9 $380,267,000.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Nathan\u2019s Famous<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> reported total revenues of $57,255,000 for the year ending 3\/27\/11.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Perkins &#038; Marie Callender\u2019s Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">SPoT Coffee Ltd<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. reported revenue of $4,904,740 for the year ending 12\/31\/10.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Mergers and Acquisitions:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">DineEquity, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Apple American Group LLC<\/b> for the sale of 66 Applebee&#8217;s company-operated restaurants located in MA, NH, ME, RI, VT and parts of NY; closing is subject to regulatory processes related to liquor license transfers and other customary closing conditions. The company anticipates closing the transaction in the third quarter of 2011.<\/p>\n<p><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Golden Gate Capital<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> reported the conclusion of its previously announced acquisition of <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">California Pizza Kitchen, Inc<\/b>.; the transaction privatized the company.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Heartland Food Corp<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. acquired 80 Burger King restaurants from bankrupt Duke and King Acquisition Corp.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Roark Capital Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> said it has acquired the parent company for Corner Bakery Cafe and Il Fornaio restaurants.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Salsarita\u2019s Fresh Cantina<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> was purchased by a company formed and controlled by Phil Friedman, former McAlister\u2019s Deli CEO; Friedman will serve as CEO of Salsarita\u2019s Holdings LLC and Larry Reinstein will serve as President\/COO. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Singer Equipment Co<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">., a PA-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealership, has acquired the assets of <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">M. Tucker Co<\/b>., a NJ-based dealership. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Sizzler USA<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> has been acquired in a management buyout from previous owner, Australian-based Pacific Equity Partners.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Wendy\u2019s\/Arby\u2019s Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> reported a definitive agreement to sell its <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Arby\u2019s Restaurant Group <\/b>to a buyer formed by Roark Capital Group.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Whit-Mart Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. has sold its 13 SC Applebee\u2019s restaurants to an affiliate of the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Apple Gold Group<\/b>; Whit-Mart retained its 12 Applebee\u2019s locations in the <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Louisville<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">KY<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>, market.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Industry Insight:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Baskin-Robbins<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">, the world&#8217;s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, announced the opening of its 4,000th international location, in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Novena<\/st1:city> Square,  <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Singapore<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">BLT Restaurant Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> is now <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">ESquared Hospitality<\/b>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">California Pizza Kitchen, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced an agreement to expand into Taiwan with a new franchise partner; as part of the agreement, a minimum of 6 new California Pizza Kitchen restaurants are expected to open in Taiwan over the next 5 years. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">CKE Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> opened its first <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Carl\u2019s Jr.<\/b> location in <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Canada<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Davidson Hotel Co<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. is changing its name to <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Davidson Hotels &#038; Resorts<\/b>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">DineEquity, Inc. <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">announced a multi-restaurant franchise agreement for the development of 40 new IHOP Restaurants in <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Kuwait<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Saudi  Arabia<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Jordan<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Lebanon<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Qatar<\/st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">United  Arab Emirates<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Oman<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Bahrain<\/st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Egypt<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">El Chico <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">announced its first Saudi Arabian location in the city of <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Riyadh<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">P.F. Chang&#8217;s China Bistro, Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. announced it has signed exclusive development and licensing agreements with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. to develop 17 P.F. Chang\u2019s restaurants throughout <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Argentina<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Chile<\/st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Colombia<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> over the next ten years. The first location is scheduled to open in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Santiago<\/st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Chile<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place> in early 2012.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Quiznos<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> and independent gasoline-convenience retailer Hess will partner to open 49 Quiznos restaurants inside Hess locations in the <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:placename w:st=\"on\">Tampa<\/st1:placename>  <st1:placetype w:st=\"on\">Bay<\/st1:placetype><\/st1:place> area by the end of 2011. Quiznos also announced it signed a master franchise agreement to open the first of its restaurants in <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Brazil<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> as part of the company&#8217;s international development initiative. The plan calls for seven Quiznos to open by the end of the year and expansion plans call for the eventual development of 200 Quiznos shops in <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Brazil<\/st1:pla\n\nce><\/st1:country-region>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Starbucks Coffee Company<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> has assumed 100% equity of its business in the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">China<\/st1:country-region> provinces of <st1:state w:st=\"on\">Guangdong<\/st1:state>, <st1:city w:st=\"on\">Hainan<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">Sichuan<\/st1:state>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">Shaanxi<\/st1:state> and <st1:state w:st=\"on\">Hubei<\/st1:state>, and the <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:placetype w:st=\"on\">municipality<\/st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st=\"on\">Chongqing<\/st1:placename><\/st1:place>. As a result, Starbucks now has full control of more than half of the Starbucks retail stores in Mainland <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">China<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Wendy&#8217;s<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> opened the first of 180 planned locations in <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Russia<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Yum Brands Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">., parent of the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">KFC<\/b>, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Taco Bell<\/b> and <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">Pizza Hut<\/b> chains, plans to enter <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Argentina<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> within a year.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Real Estate:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Au Bon Pain<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced the launch of a major cafe remodeling program that will transform all of its cafes. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Baskin-Robbins<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> is offering opportunities for qualified candidates to purchase existing restaurants in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan area.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Caribou Coffee<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> expects <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Atlanta<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> to be a major growth market in the near future, with the potential for 100 locations in the metro region in the next five to 10 years.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Cheba Hut &#8220;Toasted&#8221; Subs<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">, the nation&#8217;s only counter-culture themed restaurant franchise, has announced a nationwide search for franchise brokers. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Dunkin&#8217; Donuts<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced it has signed agreements with three franchisees to develop 12 new restaurants throughout <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Tampa<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">FL<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>, over the next several years.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Dunkin&#8217; Donuts also announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement for four new restaurants in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Montgomery<\/st1:city>,  <st1:state w:st=\"on\">AL<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>; the first restaurant will open in 2012 and the remaining three units will be developed by 2016. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Firehouse Subs<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced that Ryan Franklin, former COO of Lone Star Steakhouse and Texas Land &#038; Cattle Steakhouse, has begun his development of Dallas, Texas as a Firehouse Subs Area Representative; he will own and operate one restaurant, which will be used as his training restaurant to assist in the future expansion of the territory and has signed on to develop a total of 80 restaurants over the next several years.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Fox and Hound Restaurant Group<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> opened a smaller prototype restaurant (7.000 square feet) in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Harrisburg<\/st1:city>,  <st1:state w:st=\"on\">PA.<\/st1:state><\/st1:place><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Gaylord Entertainment<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> announced its plans to develop a resort and convention hotel in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Aurora<\/st1:city>,  <st1:state w:st=\"on\">CO<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">IHOP<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> has two new locations under construction in central IN and is planning for three more in the area.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Mazzio&#8217;s LLC<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> has signed a new franchise development agreement that will bring the chain to the East Coast; the agreement entails a 30-unit development plan throughout VA.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Pinkberry<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> is expanding into IL with a new location in <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Chicago<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Potbelly Sandwich Works<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> opened its first location in WA with a restaurant in <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Seattle<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">. is testing a smaller prototype between 2,000 and 4,000 square feet; several locations have been identified for the smaller format, primarily in the <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Denver<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> area.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Saladworks<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> has announced an agreement with a multi-unit developer to open three stores in the next three years in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Boston<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">MA<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Toppers Pizza<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> aims to open 12 to 16 restaurants in the <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Indi<\/p>\n<p>anapolis<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> area in the next two years.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Twin Peaks Restaurants<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> will open six to 10 new locations in 2011, with a goal to open two restaurants each month in the next year. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Technology News:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">ERJ Dining, LLC<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">., which has signed a multi-year contract with Table Top Media, has completed the first phase of deployment of Ziosk touchscreen devices to its 30 Chili\u2019s locations in <st1:city w:st=\"on\">St.  Louis<\/st1:city>, <st1:city w:st=\"on\">Chicago<\/st1:city> and <st1:place w:st=\"on\">Central  Illinois<\/st1:place>. TableTop Media is the creator of the Ziosk, a digital promotion and pay-at-the-table device for the casual dining restaurant market. A Ziosk resides on each table and enables guests to see promotions, play games, watch movie trailers, sign up for e-clubs, order desserts, take surveys and pay on demand when they are ready to depart.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">McDonald&#8217;s Restaurants of Canada Limited<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> and MasterCard <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Canada<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place> have introduced the MasterCard PayPass contactless payment technology at participating restaurant locations throughout the country. PayPass point-of-sale terminals have been installed in over 1,400 McDonald&#8217;s restaurants in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Canada<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Taco Bell<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> is rolling out an entertainment network across its 5,600 locations. Guests will be able to interact with the network by downloading music, receiving opt in text messages, engaging in social media campaigns and accessing free Wi-Fi. All locations will be equipped by 2015. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;\">Green Initiatives:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\">Moe&#8217;s Southwest Grill<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;\"> in <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:city w:st=\"on\">Williston<\/st1:city>, <st1:state w:st=\"on\">VT<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>, received LEED silver certification, making it the first restaurant in the chain and state to earn the honor. Some of the green design and construction features that impacted the project include LED lighting, energy-efficient cooking equipment and an air-control system that is expected to reduce energy consumption by 22%. In compliance with LEED standards, the building materials were locally sourced and the laminates, paint and adhesives are all low-emission to help enhance the air quality of the restaurant. In addition, this new location features low flow sink aerators, low flow toilets and waterless urinals. Finally, a unique regional feature is the Freeaire management system for the walk-in cooler that overrides the condensers and evaporators once the outside air reaches a temperature that is equal to or cooler than the desired walk-in temperature<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Personnel Updates: Au Bon Pain announced the addition of veteran Executive Chef Stefano Cordova to lead the company&#8217;s culinary efforts.\u00a0 Boston Pizza International promoted Mark Pacinda to CEO\/President. Boyd Gaming Corporation announced that Cori Rutherford has been named VP and General Manager of Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino. Carmike Cinemas, Inc. announced that Daniel E. Ellis&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2011\/07\/foodservice-industry-updates-july-2011\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Foodservice Industry Updates &#124; July 2011<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"post-template-no-sidebar.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[6,11],"class_list":["post-345","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-restaurant-foodservice","tag-csg-old","tag-eupdate","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}