Starbucks to close 600 stores
Starbucks Corp. on Tuesday announced that it planned to close 600 domestic company stores, which is 500 more than the coffeehouse giant had previously targeted for closure. Officials also said the company would cut back further on new openings planned for fiscal 2009.Abdallah steps down from Carino's parent to join Egyptian licensee
Norman Abdallah said he is stepping down as chief executive of Fired Up Inc. here, the parent to the 150-unit Carino’s Italian Grill chain, to join the Egyptian-based Amer International, a longtime licensee of the concept.
NRA to host safety summit on food imports
The National Restaurant Association is co-sponsoring an inter-industry summit to address growing concerns about the safety of imported foods.
Texas woman gets 38 years in ID theft case
A Texas woman who confessed to stealing the identities of 78 people while working in restaurants and a retirement community has been sentenced to 38 years in prison.
BJ's hires marketing chief
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. said it has named Matt Hood chief marketing officer, a new position on the company’s senior leadership team.
McD airs Olympics game plan
McDonald’s Corp. disclosed details on Wednesday of its marketing tie-ins with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which range from new TV commercials to the opening of four restaurants at Olympic venues.
Krispy Kreme appoints ops SVP
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has hired McDonald’s veteran Cindy Bay as its new senior vice president of company store operations, the company said Wednesday.
UPDATE: Krispy Kreme reportedly gets $500M bid from surprising source
A 23-year-old North Carolina man who reportedly has multiple aliases and legal troubles is said to be behind the $7.25-per-share buyout offer made Sunday to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.
Conn. tries hybrid universal health care program
Restaurant employees are expected to be among the participants in a new health insurance program that Connecticut is launching this week in hopes of extending coverage to all residents. Gov. M. Jodi Rell hailed it as the first in the nation to provide coverage for the uninsured without requiring income limits, employer mandates or individual coverage requirements.
Del Taco promotes 2 execs
Del Taco announced the promotion of two executives on Tuesday. Steve Brake has been named vice president, treasurer and controller, and Pete Honer has been named vice president of business insights and planning.
