Kona Grill COO Bartholomay resigns
Kona Grill Inc. said Friday that Mark L. Bartholomay had resigned as chief operating officer of the 24-unit chain “to pursue other business and personal interests.”

As restaurant sales bottom out, rebound eyed in 2010
Fitch Ratings, a credit and debt rating firm, expects the restaurant industry’s fortunes to improve late next year, following what it calls the bottoming out of weak industry sales trends currently taking place.

Restaurants bite into 'Twilight' craze
With the opening of the movie “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” based on the wildly successful “Twilight” teen vampire love story series, a number of restaurant companies, including Burger King and Movie Tavern Grill, are tapping into the pop culture phenomenon.

Tyson Foods names Donnie Smith CEO
The board of directors of Tyson Foods Inc. has named Donnie Smith president and chief executive.

Gift card spending to fall this holiday season
Restaurateurs counting on a big holiday sales boost from the merchandising of gift cards might be in for some disappointment this season, according to a study by the National Retail Federation.

Sun Capital brands target onsite growth
Sun Capital Partners Inc., the private-equity firm that owns such restaurant brands as Bruegger’s Bakery Café, Friendly’s, Fazoli’s, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill and Timothy’s World Coffee, said Thursday it plans to develop those fast-casual and dinnerhouse concepts for the onsite foodservice segment.

Having words with Panera’s Ron Shaich
Panera Bread Co. chief executive Ron Shaich will step down as chief executive next May and be replaced by co-chief operating officer Bill Moreton. Shaich, who co-founded the bakery-café concept 28 years ago, will become executive chairman of the board, and the changes will occur at the company’s next annual meeting on May 13, 2010.

Papa Murphy’s Take 'N' Bake Pizza for sale
Papa Murphy’s International confirmed Wednesday that its private-equity parent company, Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC, has hired North Point Advisors to explore a sale of the take-and-bake pizza chain.

Thomas Keller opens third Bouchon bistro
Renowned chef Thomas Keller officially opened the third outpost of his Bouchon bistro concept in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Wednesday, marking the Southern California native’s return to the Los Angeles area.

Grand Lux goes small with new menu
The casual-dining Grand Lux Café chain is undergoing the most extensive menu overhaul in its 10-year history, including the addition of a small-plates category called “Minis, Bites & Tapas.”

Carl's Jr. touts value of new cheeseburger
After a lull in the ongoing burger battle, Carl’s Jr. came out of its corner of the ring on Wednesday to throw another punch at McDonald’s with the introduction of a Six Dollar Cheeseburger.