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CHAIN NEWS – Performance |
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Krispy Kreme Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2012
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2012 Highlights Compared to the Year-Ago Period: Revenues increased 11.2% to $102.0 million from $91.7 million. Company same store sales rose 8.3%, the thirteenth consecutive quarterly increase. Operating income increased to $5.3 million from $0.9 million. Net income was $143.5 million ($2.01 per share), compared to a net loss of $1.5 million ($0.02 per share)
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Claddagh Irish Pubs revamps brand
When Ciaran Dunne joined Claddagh Irish Pubs in February 2009, the chain of 15 pubs was suffering same-store sales decreases near 20 percent in some markets. The Solon, Ohio-based chain did some soul searching by conducting focus groups with its guests. Soon after, Claddagh began a turnaround in 2010 by enacting operational, culinary and marketing initiatives to showcase the chain’s authenticity as an Irish pub, not an Irish-theme restaurant that happened to sell lots of draft beer, said Dunne, the chain’s director of business development.
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Landry's Announces Financial Projections for 2012
Landry's, Inc. and its restaurant company affiliates announced today its financial projections for 2012. According to the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Rick Liem, "Landry's estimates revenues for our restaurant group, (excluding the Golden Nugget Casinos), to be between approximately $2.03 billion to $2.07 billion and for our adjusted EBITDA to be between approximately $330.0 million and $335.0 million."
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Robeks Smoothie Bowl Sales Jump
A grab-and-go smoothie turns into a sit down meal when it’s served in a bowl — and people love how they feel after a healthy meal. That’s what Robeks Premium Fruit Smoothies, a national smoothie franchise based in Los Angeles, discovered last year, when one of its franchise owners developed a solution to an issue common to smoothie sellers: how to position smoothies as nutritious meals in addition to on-the-go drinks.
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CHAIN NEWS – Marketing |
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Coach "Bev" Kearney Joins Judging Panel for McDonald's USA Happy Meal Chefs
McDonald's USA announces Coach Beverly "Bev" Kearney will join the judging panel for the company's first Happy Meal Chefs, a contest seeking top inspiring stories from parent-and-child teams who enjoy cooking with wholesome ingredients at family mealtime.
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Troy Aikman Helps Wingstop Sports Celebrate Grand Opening in Brownsville
Wings and sports go hand-in-hand. And now the Wing Experts are taking it to the next level with Wingstop Sports – a new concept that combines the chain's signature wings with an expanded menu and a sports twist. Today, Wingstop executives joined Hall of Fame Quarterback and international spokesman Troy Aikman and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the official opening of Wingstop Sports flagship restaurant at 1905 Central Blvd. in Brownsville, Texas.
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Culver's operators named Wisconsin Restaurateurs of the Year
Craig and Lea Culver, of Culver's Restaurants, have been named Restaurateurs of the Year by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. The Restaurateur of the Year is given to one restaurant operator (or couple) each year. The Culvers were announced as the winners at the WRA's annual awards dinner held in Milwaukee earlier this month, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo.
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CHAIN NEWS – Expansion |
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Spin Neapolitan Pizza signs first franchisee to grow west
Kansas City, Mo.-based Spin Neapolitan pizza has signed its first franchisee, Craig Hofman, who has plans to develop 35 restaurants in the Southern California region. Hofman operates 15 Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ locations in California, Arizona and Nevada. Gail and Richard Lozoff and Edwin Brownell, opened the first Spin in Overland Park, Kan., in 2005 and now have four locations in Kansas and Missouri.
| Pizza Marketplace 3/20/12 |
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Stevi B's Pizza Expanding in North Alabama
Stevi B's Pizza announced the signing of an agreement to develop four Stevi B's Pizza locations in North Alabama with new franchisees and Huntsville area residents Jim King and Chris Hunter. King and Hunter are expected to open their first Stevi B's location in Madison, Ala. by the end of 2012, joining the existing Alabama locations in Gadsden and Fort Payne.
| Restaurant News Resource 3/20/12 |
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CHAIN NEWS – Menu |
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Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop is Hoppin' Into Spring With New Easter Egg Donut
You won't have to hunt for your colored eggs this spring, just head straight to the nearest bakery showcase at any U.S. Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant. This year, the bakery cafe chain has created a special Easter Egg Donut in celebration of the spring season. The egg-shaped, yeast donut—available now through April 8—is dipped in chocolate fondant and accented with pastel-colored icing in honor of the egg-decorating pastime.
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Mama Fu's to be honored for menu innovation
Mama Fu’s Asian House will be honored for its innovative menu offerings during the 15th Annual MenuMasters Awards Celebration in Chicago on May 5, 2012. Mama Fu’s Banh Mi Vietnamese Street Sandwich and the company’s flex-casual service model also will be recognized with the Menu Trendsetter award.
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KFC Canada introduces Family Dinner Box
For the first time in more than 50 years, KFC Canada is offering an alternative to its signature bucket. The new KFC Family Dinner Box was introduced this week and can feed up to four. Guests can pick and choose from an array of signature sandwiches and wraps, Original Recipe chicken, Mini Breast Fillets and an assortment of sides to create four customized meals in one box.
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Denny's Satisfies Pancake Cravings No Matter How You Like 'Em
Denny's, known for being open to giving consumers the choice and variety they want, is extending that mantra to a diner menu favorite - pancakes. With the launch of their new "Build Your Own Pancakes" menu, Denny's is providing diners with more choice than ever before, satisfying sweet or savory cravings as well as the desire to design your meal. The new menu features a collection of fluffy creations as well as the option to build your own delectable dish from a variety of selections.
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Ruth's Chris Steak House Partners with Penfolds for Exclusive U.S. Release of Penfolds Grange Shiraz on May 1
Ruth's Chris will partner with Penfolds for the exclusive U.S. release of the 2007 Penfolds Grange Shiraz. Guests will have the opportunity to be among the first in the nation to enjoy the wine by participating in a five-course wine dinner being served at 59 locations across the United States on May 1.
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CHAIN NEWS – Other |
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McDonald's launches pilot program to drop polystyrene coffee cups
McDonald's has just announced a major environmental initiative: The company is launching a pilot program to phase out polystyrene beverage cups (McD's long ago gave up Styrofoam for its food packaging, but hot beverages have still been served in polystyrene). The move comes in response to a 2011 shareholder resolution by As You Sow, which asked the company to re-evaluate the use of foam cups.
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Real Mex Restaurants Inc. officially exited bankruptcy on Tuesday, and company officials say they have set the stage for a dramatic overhaul of the company’s three core brands. Real Mex — the parent to the El Torito, Chevys Fresh Mex and Acapulco chains — was acquired in a bankruptcy court-approved auction last month by a group of noteholders that includes Tennenbaum Capital Partners, Z Capital Partners and J.P. Morgan Investment Management, in a deal valued at about $129 million. The group now holds an 85-percent stake in Real Mex.
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ANALYST CORNER |
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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
At present, our NEUTRAL rating is driven by what we view as a relatively balanced blend of potential positives and risk factors. Among the positive factors for the company and its stock are its highly recognizable brand, sound strategic initiatives (including less relative dependence going forward on large factory stores), and sizable international growth opportunities. Risks include the possibility of continued market-share losses and rising gasoline costs.
| Janney Capital Markets 3/21/12 |
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Ruby Tuesday
We are upgrading Ruby Tuesday to Outperform from Market Perform ahead of the company’s EPS release on April 4. We are also raising our EPS estimates to reflect less pessimistic near-term comp sales assumptions (weather and increased TV spending) and indications that the recently enacted cost reduction efforts could exceed the $15-20 million goal. If the comp sales outlook improves and cost reduction goals are met or exceeded, the company’s current annual free cash flow (FCF) can sustain at least near its current level of ~$75-90 million (a bit over $1.30 per share).
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OTHER |
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HMSHost and Yowza!! Bring Savings to Travelers
World leader in travel dining and shopping, HMSHost, and breakthrough mobile couponing application, Yowza!!,are collaborating to bring real-time savings directly to travelers via their smartphones. At Los Angeles International Airport, Yowza!!'s local mobile coupons provide instant savings at popular HMSHost restaurants and cafes, including Pinkberry, California Pizza Kitchen, and LaBrea Bakery.
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