McGrath’s Fish House files for Ch. 11
SALEM Ore. (Feb. 4, 2010) — McGrath’s Fish House Restaurants, owner of the namesake 20-unit casual-dining chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close four restaurants in the next week.
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O’Charley’s posts positive guest counts
NASHVILLE Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2010) — While consumer pressures tied to the recession pushed fourth-quarter sales into negative territory at the three chains of O’Charley’s Inc., its namesake brand and Stoney River Legendary Steaks chain posted their first year-to-year traffic increases in more than three years.
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Burger King's 2Q profit grows
MIAMI (Feb. 4, 2010) — Burger King Holdings Inc. said Thursday it expects to offer more value promotions like its controversial $1 double cheeseburger as it reported a 13.3-percent jump in second-quarter profit.
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Yum's 4Q profit increases
LOUISVILLE Ky. (Feb. 3, 2010) — Sales and profit growth in China and other overseas markets offset Yum! Brands Inc.'s weakness in the United States, helping the quick-service company post a 6-percent increase in fourth-quarter net income. more...
Analyst: BJ’s Restaurants ready for 2010
HUNTINGTON BEACH Calif. (Feb. 3, 2010) — An expectation of improved fourth-quarter same-store sales and earnings, as well as upcoming traffic and sales driving plans at BJ’s Restaurants Inc. have at least one analyst bullish on the company’s prospects for 2010.
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Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s January comps decline
CARPINTERIA Calif. (Feb. 3, 2010) — The drag on same-store sales for CKE Restaurants Inc. chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s worsened in January, in part because of bad weather, the company said Wednesday.
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Chick-fil-A sales rise in 2009
ATLANTA (Feb. 3, 2010) — Chick-fil-A reported an 8.6-percent jump in 2009 systemwide sales on the strength of 83 new restaurants and positive same-store sales. more...
Pasta Pomodoro under new ownership
SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 2, 2010) — The 30-unit Pasta Pomodoro chain has been acquired by two San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneurs who plan to revitalize the Italian casual-dining brand.
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Steak n Shake parent to change name
SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 1, 2010) — The Steak n Shake Co., which is led by investor Sardar Biglari, returned to profit in its first quarter and said it planned to change its name to Biglari Holdings Inc.
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Fuzio Universal Bistro units for sale
MODESTO Calif. (Jan. 30, 2010) — Six corporate units of the casual-dining Fuzio Universal Bistro chain, a fusion noodle and pizza concept, are listed for sale by a national restaurant broker.
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O’Charley’s closes $45M credit facility
NASHVILLE Tenn. (Jan. 27, 2010) — O’Charley’s Inc. said Wednesday it has amended its revolving credit facility that was set to expire next year, reducing the amount to $45 million, extending its maturity and changing covenants for additional flexibility. more...
Investor ups buyout offer for Rubio’s
CARLSBAD Calif. (Jan. 26, 2010) — Rubio’s Restaurants Inc. received a letter late last week with an increased buyout offer of $85 million from investor Alex Meruelo and private-equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, the group that had offered $80 million for Rubio’s last October. more...
Bain to buy Domino's Japanese franchisee
NEW YORK (Jan. 25, 2010) — Bain Capital, the largest shareholder of Domino’s Pizza Inc., has signed an agreement to buy the chain's master franchisee for Japan, Higa Industries Co. Ltd. more...
Taco Del Mar files for Ch. 11
SEATTLE (Jan. 22, 2010) — Taco Del Mar Franchising Corp. has filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection, at least the third restaurant company to do so this month.
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McDonald’s ends 2009 on sales upswing
OAK BROOK Ill. (Jan. 22, 2010) — Although most of the restaurant industry is thankful 2009 has ended, quick-service leader McDonald’s Corp. showed that the past year wasn’t all bad, announcing better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and a 9-percent growth in annual earnings per share. Its U.S. sales trends have also begun to improve.
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Panera's stock surges on strong sales
RICHMOND HEIGHTS Mo. (Jan. 21, 2010) — Citing stronger-than-anticipated fourth-quarter same-store sales growth, Panera Bread Co. raised its earnings guidance by as much as 9 cents per share, or 11 percent, and also noted that sales trends have continued to dominate in January.
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Starbucks' 1Q profit soars as sales rise
SEATTLE (Jan. 21, 2010) — Starbucks Corp. gave credit to brisk holiday business and the launch of its new instant coffee as it reported first-quarter profit that nearly quadrupled from a year ago and posted its first same-store sales increase in two years. more...
Chili’s to end ‘3 for $20’ deal
DALLAS (Jan. 20, 2010) — Chili’s will end its “3 for $20” promotion in the next few days and introduce a reformulated menu in a move that had at least one analyst questioning how the casual-dining chain will build traffic at a time when consumers are shopping for the best deal.
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NRA forecasts a better year ahead
WASHINGTON (Jan. 20, 2010) — The National Restaurant Association projected Wednesday that 2010 will include a gradual improvement in sales for the restaurant industry, as upticks in real disposable income, employment and national population counts drive the economy into a better light than the darkness of years past.
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Uno Chicago Grill parent files for Ch. 11
WEST ROXBURY Mass. (Jan. 20, 2010) — Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp., the owner of the Uno Chicago Grill casual dining chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday.
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