ORLANDO Fla. Darden Restaurants Inc. on Aug. 31 commenced its tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Rare Hospitality International Inc. for $38.15 per share. The two restaurant companies announced Aug. 16 that they had...

ATLANTA Multiconcept franchisor Focus Brands Inc. said it has completed its purchase of franchising rights to Moe's Southwest Grill and other assets of the fast-casual chain from Raving Brands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. After...

WINSTON-SALEM N.C. Krispy Kreme has returned football-shaped doughnuts to its roster for another year, trotting them out through Sept. 29 and then on every weekend through Super Bowl Sunday. The chain’s classic yeast-raised doughnuts are...

MONTVALE N.J. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., the grocer more commonly known as A&P, is planning to add Starbucks coffeehouses to some stores in the Northeast under a licensing deal announced Thursday. The first locations are...

SAN DIEGO In keeping with Jack in the Box Inc.’s plans to increase franchise ownership, veteran franchisee Michael Norwich Jr. has signed an agreement to expand his operations into the Midland/Odessa market in Texas with five new restaurants. ...

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. The Baja Fresh fast-casual chain said it plans to expand its menu with the Sept. 12 addition of two shrimp burritos, two versions of a meat-and-potato burrito, a tomatillo-mango salsa and chili. The Cabo Shrimp Burrito...

MIAMI Restaurant development costs, renovation expenses and investments in infrastructure ate into strong sales at Benihana Inc., leading to a dip in first-quarter profit compared with the same quarter a year ago. Benihana, which operates...