GLENDALE Calif. DineEquity Inc. downgraded its full-year sales outlook for the Applebee’s chain after reporting a drop of 1.7 percent in systemwide same-store sales for the second quarter. The company reiterated positive sales growth expectations...

PHOENIX The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit on behalf of a group of male employees at a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Chandler, Ariz. The suit, filed in district court here, accuses the...

IRVINE Calif. About 100 employees of Yard House USA Inc. have been given an equity stake in the casual-dining company in the second phase of a limited-ownership program launched in 2005, the company said Thursday...

WASHINGTON Federal health officials say new evidence shows a definite link between fresh jalapenos and the salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 1,000 people, prompting authorities to issue a qualified warning about eating the peppers...

MARYVILLE Tenn. Shares of Ruby Tuesday Inc., the casual-dining operator, rose more than 25 percent in trading Thursday on fiscal 2009 guidance that topped Wall Street expectations. Expectations for an improved year came on the heels of a 43...

CHARLOTTE N.C. Chanticleer Holdings Inc., which in March agreed to buy 22-unit franchisee Hooters Inc. in Florida for $55.1 million, on Tuesday said it was buying the assets of Dallas-based Texas Wings, a 45-unit Hooters franchisee, for $106...

GLENDALE Calif. IHOP parent DineEquity Inc. said it is exploring expansion of the family-dining chain into airport, travel plaza and college campus locations. IHOP spokesman Patrick Lenow said the company was in the early stages of looking...

LOS ANGELES California Pizza Kitchen Inc. on Wednesday raised its guidance for second quarter earnings as it reported better-than-expected preliminary results for the period. CPK said it now expects to earn 25 cents to 26 cents per share...