Carlson taps Neitzel to lead international division

Aug 20, 2007

CARROLLTON Texas Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent of the T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix chains, has promoted John Neitzel to president and chief operating officer of its international division. Neitzel succeeds Steve King, who...

Smith & Wollensky shareholders approve Valenti deal

Aug 20, 2007

NEW YORK Shareholders of the publicly held Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group Inc. have agreed to sell the luxury steakhouse brand to a consortium consisting of Patina Restaurant Group principals Nick Valenti and Joachim Splichal and Bunker Hill...

Luby’s to provide foodservice for Texas Medical Center in Houston

Aug 20, 2007

HOUSTON Luby's Inc. has signed a multiyear agreement with Baylor College of Medicine to provide culinary services for the school’s Texas Medical Center campus in Houston. Luby’s, the 128-unit cafeteria chain based here, helped design the...

Activist investor Biglari seeks Steak n Shake board seats

Aug 20, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS Western Sizzlin chairman Sardar Biglari, head of The Lion Fund, which holds a 5.8-percent stake in 490-unit Steak n Shake, is seeking a seat for himself and an associate on the chain’s board of directors, according to a securities...

Panel cites range of reasons to court Asian-American consumers, employees

Aug 20, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO —Asian-American baby boomers and their offspring are turning out to be a marketer’s dream. Not known for their political or social activism despite a long history of ostracism...

Southeastern chains celebrate decades of longevity by investing in future growth

Aug 20, 2007

Here’s the scenario: You’re a burger chain in expansion mode using all the latest technologies, and young people who are passionate about the brand are clamoring to get their pictures on your packaging and in your advertisements. Sounds like a new...

A ‘no mouse in this house’ strategy

Aug 20, 2007

Pinkberry had an unfortunate visit from a couple of mice at one of its New York City units this summer, and the incident was caught on tape and made the local news. Ever since, the Los Angeles-based treat shop operator has been vigilant in...

MFHA confab examines disparity of diversity in industry’s executive ranks

Aug 20, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO —The restaurant industry is approaching racial, ethnic and gender parity to national demographics in the makeup of its hourly workforce, but it has yet to bridge the diversity gap at the management level and in reaching...