Apr 02, 2009

CHICAGO Gone are the days of large corporate buyouts and billion-dollar transactions. Most merger-and-acquisition activity in 2008 was driven by deal making between franchisors and franchisees, as tight credit markets and weaker industry...

Operators aflutter over marketing potential of social media tool Twitter

Mar 31, 2009

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Brands seek to garner attention through social media

Mar 31, 2009

Starbucks Coffee, like many competitors, is trying to figure out social media and make it work from a business standpoint. But so far, the 16,000-unit chain can boast some staggering numbers, including more than 1 million Facebook fans and more...

Outback: Canadian closures market specific

Mar 31, 2009

TAMPA Fla. Outback Steakhouse’s closure last week of all nine corporate Ontario, Canada, restaurants was a market-specific move with no direct implication for other regions, officials of the 970-unit casual-dining chain said. “Each market...

Denny’s franchisees to form purchasing co-op

Mar 30, 2009

DOVE CANYON Calif. Officials of the Denny’s Franchisee Association said Monday they would form a purchasing co-operative and a national marketing advisory council to help the family-dining chain’s franchisees take advantage of their size and...

Vicorp sells chains out of bankruptcy

Mar 30, 2009

DENVER The Village Inn and Bakers Square restaurant chains were sold out of bankruptcy to a new owner, American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC, almost a full year after its former parent company, Vicorp Inc., filed for Chapter 11. American Blue...

Florida association members get discounted labor software

Mar 26, 2009

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Bar Louie concept to expand

Mar 26, 2009

GLENVIEW Ill. Bar Louie Development Inc., operator or franchisor of the namesake restaurant and bar concept, said it expects to open five more franchised units this year. The new stores will be located in Michigan, Indian and eastern...

Outback shutters all nine Ontario units

Mar 26, 2009

TORTONTO Ontario Just a month after its U.S.-based parent reported a quarterly loss exceeding $500 million, Outback Steakhouse Canada -- an arm of the 978-unit, Tampa Fla.-based Outback chain -- said it closed all nine of its Ontario outlets. ...

Servers win tip-pooling case against Brinker

Mar 25, 2009

HOUSTON Brinker International Inc. said it plans to appeal a federal jury verdict Tuesday that awarded a former Chili's server and 54 others $270,000 in a tip-pooling case. Jennifer Roussell, a former employee at a Chili’s in Sugar Land...