Max & Erma's CEO exits
Max & Erma's president and chief executive Rob Lindeman has left the casual-dining company, a spokesman confirmed Friday. Reasons for the departure of Lindeman, an 18-year veteran of the company, were not disclosed.Cosi to explore strategic alternatives
Cosi Inc., the parent of 152 namesake bakery-cafes, said late Thursday its board had formed a special committee of directors to review and evaluate strategic alternatives, which typically means a company is looking to sell or refinance.
Cheesecake Factory to try value menu
Amid negative same-store sales and double-digit drops in profit, The Cheesecake Factory Inc. said this week it would introduce a new value-focused menu, just in time to drive holiday traffic.
Subway partners with Olympic medalist Phelps
The Subway sandwich chain has teamed up with Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps to form a long-term marketing partnership that will focus on educating consumers about making more healthful lifestyle and food choices.
Developers bid on restaurant-entertainment project in NYC park
Three real-estate developers are bidding for the right to build an entertainment complex featuring several restaurants and food markets on the site of a neglected pier in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, The New York Times reported Thursday.
California Tortilla bolsters online marketing campaign
California Tortilla recently launched a social-networking campaign to broaden its reach with new and existing customers using Facebook.com and Twitter.com.
Kona Grill's COO resigns
Kona Grill Inc. said Wednesday that its chief operating officer, Jason Merritt, had resigned to pursue other interests.
BK to market only lower-sodium meals to kids
Burger King Corp. said Wednesday it would limit the salt content within all Kids Meals advertised to children under 12 amid growing attention from health regulators and restaurants surrounding the sodium content in food.
Jack in the Box forecasts profit dip as costs rise
Jack in the Box Inc. said this week that results for its current first quarter will fall below year-ago levels because of increased commodity costs and the volatile financial markets. The company said the cost of beef, its largest commodity expense, is expected to increase as much as 20 percent from a year ago and that overall commodity costs are expected to increase between 7 percent and 8 percent.
Great American Dine Out raises $500K
The nearly 4,000 restaurants that participated in the first Share Our Strength Great American Dine Out in September raised $500,000 to help fight childhood hunger.
Fox Sports Grill looks to expand under new ownership
A day after the departure of its chief executive, the six-unit Fox Sports Grill chain on Tuesday revealed a shift in ownership and plans for growth.
Leadership institute halts operations
The Elliot Leadership Institute announced it would suspend operations until January 2010 because of the deteriorating economy.
