NEW YORK Michael Jacobs has stepped down as chief operating officer of multi-concept operator BR Guest Restaurants to become president of the Crunch Fitness gym chain. Jacobson’s former post will not be filled because of a restructuring...

COLUMBUS Ohio Four months after selling its 19-unit seafood group to the parent of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is starting a new chain called Ocean Prime that's based on one of its eateries here. The Columbus...

LENEXA Kan. A customer has filed a class-action lawsuit against Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar for allegedly misrepresenting the nutrition content of items on its Weight Watchers menu, according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys. The suit...

MINNEAPOLIS Barbecue chain Famous Dave’s of America has named independent agency Periscope of Minneapolis its new agency of record. Billings were not disclosed. The agency will develop and produce brand and limited-time offer TV and radio...

HUNTINGTON BEACH Calif. BJ’s Restaurants Inc. has assigned president and chief executive Gerald W. “Jerry” Deitchle the additional responsibilities of chairman, the casual-dining operator announced Wednesday after its shareholder meeting. ...

DALLAS The 15-unit El Fenix restaurant chain, founded here by the Martinez family almost 90 years ago, has been sold to a newly formed company called Firebird Restaurant Group LLC. Terms of the sale, which was completed May 30, were not...

WASHINGTON Restaurant industry officials praised President Bush for signing a law Tuesday that aims to shield operators and other merchants from lawsuits stemming from the printing of expiration dates on credit card receipts. The...

PLANO Texas Metromedia Restaurant Group, parent to the Bennigan's, Ponderosa and Bonanza brands, has denied a report that it was ready to file for bankruptcy and said Wednesday that it was working with its lenders to restructure its debt. ...

SAN JOSE Calif. Lawmakers in Santa Clara County voted unanimously Tuesday to require some chain restaurants in the section of Silicon Valley to post calorie counts on their menus and menu boards as of Sept. 1. Local media noted that the...