The walls of Scott Vinson’s office are a study in orderliness and organization.Framed diplomas exhibiting degrees in business administration and law share space with a map of the United States detailing 2006 state-by-state election results and...

To April Young, one of the most challenging and frustrating aspects of her job is watching lawmakers pass legislation without understanding the potential impact on their constituents. “A lot of times it’s just about going with the party...

Special ReportHot Concepts! panelists discuss ways to tackle challengesORLANDO, FLA. —Challenges to business, including regulators’ efforts to affect nutritional disclosures, and concerned consumers’ influence on menu trends were among...

Two little words—“in China”—deleted from a franchising law could make a big difference between profits or perils for American restaurant chains that have yet to open in the world’s fastest-growing economy. The recent sigh of...

Revamping, revitalizing and re-energizing are the watchwords of family-dining establishments working to keep a vice-like grip on their core customers—families with kids in tow.With increasing competition from fast feeders offering beefed up...

After investing about $1 million to renovate a prime, new location in Troy, Mich., Hooters of America Inc. officials planned to transfer a liquor license from one of their older locations nearby, which was scheduled to close. ...

By now most restaurant operators are aware of the significant clout of the nation’s Hispanic population. They know that the demographic has swelled in numbers in recent years and is projected to continue to do so. They also have likely heard that...

Restaurant operators were riveted last fall when Wendy’s International agreed to sell its struggling Baja Fresh Mexican Grill chain for the bargain price of $31 million—considerably less than the $275 million that the Dublin, Ohio...

Here’s a little secret savvy restaurateurs and commercial real estate brokers keep to themselves: Some of those “closed for remodeling” signs affixed to the front of restaurants are often code for lease, landlord or franchising disputes.Walk or...

Paparazzi cameras will no doubt be flashing when Danny DeVito throws open the doors of his new Italian chophouse in Miami Beach, Fla.DeVito, who achieved recent notoriety for his limoncello-fueled appearance on ABC’s “The View” after a night of...