There is an ongoing battle underway with regards to the casual dining giant Darden and the stock activists that are pursuing it, due to its under performance. Since it is likely that Red Lobster will be spun off and potentially open up to franchising for the first time, or that a private equity consortium could purchase Darden and sell the restaurants as franchises, this article is of particular importance to casual dining franchisees.
Famous Dave's of America has replaced its CEO John Gilbert III with a new chief executive Ed Rensi, who joined the company's board of directors last month. The company says that Gilbert has resigned.
Sugarloaf Mills Mall prototype in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Photo/Shoney's
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia – Shoney's revealed a new smaller prototype on Thursday. Shoney's chairman and CEO David Davoudpour calls it a return to "Glory Days."
MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Business news journals Debtwire, Nation's Restaurant News and others reported early this week that Ruby Tuesday had hired Goldman Sachs to "evaluate strategic alternatives."
Restaurant sector challenges of negative same store sales comparables, consumer unease, rising food commodity costs and some magnitude of increased heath care costs emanating from Obama Care appeared in 2012. The same issues will be present in 2013.
The business press and Wall Street are focusing on signals of quarter to quarter sales momentum. There is no doubt that restaurant sales momentum cooled off from late 2011 and 2012, but its far from a disaster. We have settled into a new normality that is actually closer to 2010-2011 levels.
Customers lined up in Feb, 2010 for free breakfast at a Georgia Denny's
SAN DIEGO – What has emerged from turmoil of free meals and CEO succession in the Denny's chain is a restaurant network that has become the epitome of collaboration between franchise owners and franchisor. That renewed collaboration is helping the chain turn the corner.
