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Today was a very good day in health care policy. The U.S. Senate cleared repeal of the much-hated expanded Form 1099 reporting requirement (passed in health reform). H.R. 4 will now go directly to the President for his expected signature … Continue reading →

McDonald’s is holding a national hiring event to bring in as many as 50,000 new part time and full time workers at nearly 14,000 franchise locations. The event will occur on April 18th and the new employees will cost the … Continue reading →

After conquering the restaurant industry’s Oscar equivalent as number one in the nation, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill sets its sights on a new challenge: making a presence on the East Coast. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill will be opening its very … Continue reading →

In January, President Obama emphasized the role of retail in job creation during his State of the Union – and retailers heard the call to action loud and clear. As the industry closest to the consumer, it’s no surprise retailer … Continue reading →

In January, President Obama emphasized the role of retail in job creation during his State of the Union – and retailers heard the call to action loud and clear. As the industry closest to the consumer, it’s no surprise retailer and restaurant leaders are the first in line to facilitate an economic comeback.

In recent months, we’ve seen retailers like Gap and Macy’s answer the call. And now McDonald’s will join other industry brands in doing what they can to foster job creation.

As one of America’s favorite fast food restaurants and a supplier of nearly 400,000 jobs in the U.S., McDonald’s has announced plans to hire 50,000 new employees in April – a feat that the company is hoping will spur economic growth nationwide. According to McDonald’s, the April 19 National Hiring Day investment will generate more than $1.3 billion in consumer spending. And that breaks down to quite an impact to our nation’s local communities. State and local economies can expect to see the expected revenue from this initiative translate into an additional increase in spending as follows:

Today was a very good day in health care policy. The U.S. Senate cleared repeal of the much-hated expanded Form 1099 reporting requirement (passed in health reform). H.R. 4 will now go directly to the President for his expected signature … Continue reading →

Today was a very good day in health care policy. The U.S. Senate cleared repeal of the much-hated expanded Form 1099 reporting requirement (passed in health reform). H.R. 4 will now go directly to the President for his expected signature just in time to keep businesses from very expensive and intrusive record keeping requirements.  NRF member Seth Shipley — an independent jewelry retailer from Maryland – testified on 1099 repeal in February.

Finally, a bipartisan reform of health reform … also, repeal of the first provision (hopefully, the first of very many provisions) from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA/ACA).

In celebration of the end of tax season and the extension of Tax Day to April 18, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. will reward guests nationwide with a 15 percent discount on April 18. The special one-day deal encourages P.F. … Continue reading →

In celebration of the end of tax season and the extension of Tax Day to April 18, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. will reward guests nationwide with a 15 percent discount on April 18. The special one-day deal encourages P.F. Chang’s diners across the country to celebrate the end of tax season with extra savings. [...]

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has announced the appointment of David Makula, the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of Oak Street Capital Management to its Board of Directors. The Company also announced it has signed a “Support Agreement” with Oak … Continue reading →

Wingstop announced today that same store sales for the first quarter are up 2.5 percent over the same quarter last year.   The fast-growing 480-unit chain hit the ground running this year, selling more than 5 million wings on Super Bowl … Continue reading →

 Pizza Inn, Inc., an international pizza chain recognized for serving a variety of fresh, popular traditional and specialty pizzas, is now available in Saraland, Alabama.   A new Pizza Inn delivery/carryout location opened at 617 Celeste Road, and marks the fourth … Continue reading →

Why is Red Lobster so popular, particularly among African Americans? The chain – a key brand of multi-chain operator Darden Restaurants, which serves 400 million meals each year and has $7 billion in annual sales – consistently ranks high in … Continue reading →

Why is Red Lobster so popular, particularly among African Americans? The chain – a key brand of multi-chain operator Darden Restaurants, which serves 400 million meals each year and has $7 billion in annual sales – consistently ranks high in national restaurant surveys. Industry analysts chalk up Red Lobster’s success to good management and fine-tuned [...]

Lisa Jennings Company to restructure after being hard hit by recession

Ron Ruggless Landry’s founder on the reasons behind his $137.3M buyout offer for the upscale seafood company

Bret Thorn Chain looks beyond breakfast with stuffed breadsticks, apple pie

Sarah E. Lockyer Landry’s Tilman Fertitta offers all-cash buyout bid for seafood operator

Lisa Jennings Branstetter to bring South African, German concepts to West Coast

Branstetter to bring South African, German concepts to West Coast

Did you know there is a place where you can take your pick from a menu that offers 30 different types of burgers, 26 hot dogs, 21 subs and 15 different chicken sandwiches? Kevin Alley, owner of Alley’s Restaurant at … Continue reading →

McDonald’s is looking to expand its footprint in Russia by increasing its store count by 15%, or about 40 new locations, in an effort to tap the growing demand for fast food. McDonald’s competes with Wendy’s, Subway, Burger King, and … Continue reading →

The ice cream sundae celebrates its 119th birthday Sunday, April 3rd.  Since that time, ice cream sundaes have become a mainstay in the restaurant industry.  The traditional ice cream sundae is made up of vanilla ice cream with a flavored … Continue reading →

The cost of beef has gone through the roof, coffee prices are at a 13-year high, and even produce grown right here in California is more expensive than usual. Grocery prices rose by more than 1 1/2 times the overall … Continue reading →

This recent January was not a good one to be in the restaurant business in downtown Hartford. Heavy snow narrowed the city’s byways and made on-street parking all but impossible. Plus, workers fled the city at the first suggestion of … Continue reading →

That white tuna sushi you order at your favorite restaurant may not contain tuna at all, but an oily fish known as escolar. Last year, 186 restaurants in the state were cited by the Florida Department of Business and Professional … Continue reading →

A businessman who managed to turn his love for spicy fried chicken and biscuits into the Bojangles’ regional fast-food chain has died. Jack Fulk, 78, died Wednesday after a long illness, according to Harry and Bryant Funeral Home in Charlotte. … Continue reading →

First it was roast duck and rice noodles. Then it was cooked frogs and turtles. Now shark fin soup, the caviar of fine Chinese cuisine, is under threat from California legislators seeking to ban the possession, sale and consumption of … Continue reading →

The Louisville-based fast food giant Yum! Brands Inc. is lobbying the Beshear administration to make Kentucky one of only a handful of states that allow food stamps to be used at restaurants by certain groups of recipients. Under the federal … Continue reading →

Perhaps 20,000 to 30,000 delivery drivers for Pizza Hut’s largest franchisee, NPC International Inc., are eligible plaintiffs in a national collective action alleging a minimum-wage violation. U.S. District Judge John W. Lungstrum in Kansas City, Kan., this week granted conditional … Continue reading →

IHOP restaurants are inviting all families with children under 12 to come in for their “Kids Eat Free” dinner promotion. During the month of April children can choose one meal from the Just For Kids menu between 4 and 10 … Continue reading →

Foul-mouthed British TV chef Gordon Ramsay has been forced to overhaul his Melbourne restaurant after heavy financial losses in its early months and the departure of key staff. General manager Enda Cunningham, head chef Josh Emett and financial controller Geoff … Continue reading →

Ron’s Landing is close to a settlement with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in a federal copyright infringement lawsuit that alleges the restaurant played live renditions of copyrighted songs, including the Gershwin classic “Summertime,” without a license, … Continue reading →

El Pollo Loco, hit hard by double-digit profit losses over the last three years,  is in danger of defaulting on an upcoming loan payment, according to Standard & Poor’s. The Costa Mesa-based chain “has a high probability of being unable … Continue reading →

A company that owns more than 400 KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut franchises across Canada has been granted court protection as it moves to sell its restaurants to a European franchisee. Priszm Income Fund obtained the order from the … Continue reading →