May 05, 2007

ORLANDO Fla. Darden Restaurants Inc. on Saturday said it was shutting down its struggling Smokey Bones restaurant division by closing 54 units and selling the remaining 73. Darden, which also operates the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama...

May 03, 2007

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Customer data mining aids in quests for lucrative new sites

Apr 30, 2007

By better understanding their best customers and plugging that knowledge into their site selection criteria, some restaurant chains are hitting home runs in new trade areas where they previously had little or no market exposure or experience...

Baskin-Robbins rolls family-focused spots in first television ad campaign in two years

Apr 30, 2007

CANTON, MASS. Baskin-Robbins has taken the next step to reinvigorate its 61-year-old brand with the launch of its first TV campaign in two years. —The campaign and a commitment to roll out innovative products year-round continue...

Data show multiunit, multibrand franchisees gaining clout

Apr 30, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. —Franchisees who own multiple restaurants and branches of multiple chain concepts are gaining in influence and power in the franchisee business, more than 400 attendees of the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference...

RLC speakers tackle issues of immigration, innovation

Apr 30, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. —Operators at the Restaurant Leadership Conference here this month addressed issues ranging from effective methods for culinary innovation to the marketing merits of Wi-Fi services to the changing ambitions of...

Franchise Excellence honorees share secrets of their success

Apr 30, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. —Executives representing the three 2007 Franchise Excellence Award winners shared their formulas for success during the recent Restaurant Leadership Conference here. The award for Leadership in...

Ruth’s Chris ends W. Coast franchising via 3-unit deal

Apr 30, 2007

HEATHROW, FLA. Ruth’s Chris Steak House Inc., operator or franchisor of 105 upscale restaurants, has reached a “definitive” agreement to acquire three franchised branches in Seattle, Bellevue, Wash., and Portland, Ore., for a total of $13.25...

Tumbleweed’s sales spike after CEO vows to field complaints personally

Apr 26, 2007

LOUISVILLE KY. —If double-digit increases in same-store sales are any indication, 59-unit Tumble-weed Southwest Grill is finding success in its new twist on relationship building: chief executive...

Checkers taps Terri Snyder as marketing chief

Apr 26, 2007

TAMPA Fla. Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. has hired Terri Snyder as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for its 800 Checkers and Rally’s Hamburgers restaurants. Snyder, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience...