O’Charley’s cuts earnings guidance on 2nd-Q loss

Aug 09, 2007

NASHVILLE Tenn. Citing a challenging consumer environment, O’Charley’s Inc. reduced Thursday its full-year, per-share earnings guidance as it reported a net loss for the second quarter compared with a year-ago profit, which was caused by one-time...

Landry’s arranges backup financing, but warns it could hurt company

Aug 08, 2007

HOUSTON Prior to an Aug. 16 court hearing to decide whether $400 million in 7.5-percent, senior, unsecured notes can be accelerated by the note holders and made immediately due, Landry’s Restaurants Inc. said Thursday it had set up a “stand-by”...

Bendel to exit Mimi’s for undisclosed new ‘opportunity’

Aug 07, 2007

TUSTIN, Calif. Russ Bendel is stepping down as president and chief executive of the Mimi’s Cafe midscale chain at the end of August to pursue another opportunity, which he has declined to disclose until next week. Daniel Dillon, who has...

Houlihan’s strikes deals for 34 new stores

Aug 07, 2007

LEAWOOD Kan. Houlihan’s has signed two market development agreements that are expected to add 34 franchised stores in Arizona, California and Florida to the 92-unit chain. The casual-dining chain inked a 22-unit pact with SunPacific...

Alinea staff focused on moving forward as chef battles cancer

Aug 06, 2007

CHICAGO Alinea, the avant-garde restaurant that has drawn widespread attention since it opened here last year, is uniting to keep up the standards set by chef-partner Grant Achatz as he undergoes treatment for cancer, officials said. ...

The Manor keeps its classic concept fresh after 50 years

Aug 06, 2007

WEST ORANGE N.J. The Manor, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, a benchmark few restaurants achieve. So it’s particularly pleasing for Knowles to see The Manor, which he calls “a living thing,” continue the successful traditions he began five...

Beef 'O' Brady's completes a recapitalization

Aug 06, 2007

TAMPA, Fla. Family Sports Concepts Inc., the franchisor of more than 230 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s casual-dining restaurants, closed last week on a “major recapitalization” funded by private-equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, according to a...

El Cholo to launch fast-casual concept

Aug 06, 2007

LA HABRA Calif. The operator of the pioneering El Cholo casual-dining chain is reportedly poised to spin off a fast-casual concept called Café Maiz. Scheduled to open early next year in Mission Viejo, Calif., Café Maiz is expected to...

McD's to sell Boston Market to Sun Capital

Aug 06, 2007

OAK BROOK Ill. McDonald's Corp. said it has agreed to sell the 630-unit Boston Market fast-casual chain to the private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners, parent of such restaurant brands as Fazoli's, Chevys, El Torito and Bruegger's. Terms were not...

Cheddar’s names Red Lobster’s Baltes CEO

Aug 03, 2007

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