Personnel Updates:
AFC Enterprises(dba Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen) named Greg Vojnovic as Chief Development Officer.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. announced that Sherri Summers will serve as Senior VP and General Manager of Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, CO. Andy Hamblen transferred to Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino and Horseshu Hotel and Casino, Jackpot, NV, and will serve as Senior VP and General Manager.
Bennigan’s Franchising Company announced the following appointments: Mike Understein is the VP of Catering Operations. Mike Gabriel is Director of Construction and Design, and Scott Foster is Chef of Record.
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. announced that Leigh Anne Snider is joining the company as its Senior VP of Retail Operations.
CiCi’s Pizzaannounced Bill Spae has been promoted from Chief Development Officer to COO.
Daphne’s California Greek announced the following changes: Volker Schmitz becomes VP of Operations, Christy Geiling has been promoted to VP of Marketing and Brand Development, Craig Meunier advances to the newly created position of VP of Brand Execution, Nicole Jones will serve in the newly created position of VP of Food and Beverage, and Ricardo Camberos becomes VP of Treasury and Cash Management.
Denihan Hospitality Group announced that Julie Purnell has joined the company as Senior VP Acquisitions and Development.
DineEquity, Inc. announced that Jean M. Birch, President of IHOP, will leave the Company effective 8/27/12.
Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. announced the appointment of Jack Clare to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). The company also announced that Cicely D. Simpson has been promoted to the position of VP of Government Affairs.
Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc. named Lynn Schweinfurth CFO/VP.
Hersha Hospitality Trust announced that two of its executives were promoted to Senior VP: Robert C. Hazard III was named Senior VP of Acquisitions & Development and William J. Walsh was named Senior VP of Asset Management. In addition, Charles Paloux was named Senior Director of Asset Management.
Homestyle Dining LLC (dba Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse) named Thomas A. Sacco as COO and executive VP.
Interstate Hotels & Resorts announced the promotion of Samuel E. (Ted) Knighton, formerly COO, to President and COO.
Johnny Rocketsnamed Steve Devine as the President of its new International division.
Loews Corporation announced the appointment of Mary Skafidas as VP, Investor and Public Relations.
Loews Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Shawn Hauver as VP of Operations.
Massachusetts Restaurant Association appointed Patricia Bando as Chairman of the Board.
MTR Gaming Group, Inc. announced that it has named Troy J. Buswell to the position of VP and General Manager of Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack in Columbus, OH, effective immediately. The casino is currently under construction and slated to open in the second quarter of 2012.
Papa John’s International, Inc. announced the promotion of Tony Thompson to COO and President, PJ Food Service. The company also announced Lance Tucker, CFO and Treasurer, will assume the additional role of Chief Administrative Officer, and the promotion of Tim O’Hern to Chief Development Officer.
Pate Dawson Company announced three new leadership appointments: Art Quinn has been named VP of Human Resources, Tim Cipiti has been named VP of Operations for Pate Dawson-Southern Foods, and Rick Stapleton has been named VP and General Manager of Sales for Pate Dawson-Southern Foods.
Pyramid Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Paul Sacco as Senior VP of the Business Development Team; Sacco joins Pyramid from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Quiznosannounced the appointment of Stuart K. Mathis as the Company’s new President and CEO and Susan Lintonsmith as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Lintonsmith was most recently at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.
Red Lion Hotels Corporation announced Ron Burgett has joined the company as Executive VP, Brand Development.
Red Lobsterpromoted Chip Wade to the position of Exec VP of Operations. Wade succeeds Doug Green and was previously Senior VP in the company’s NC-based Liberty Division.
Sage Hospitality announced that it has promoted Rick Johnson to Director of National Corporate Sales and that Michael Everett has joined Sage as Chief Investment Officer.
Shula’s Steak Houses LLLP named Scott Nietschmann as the President of Shula Burger and Matt DeBusk as VP of Franchise Development for Shula Burger. DeBusk was most recently at Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Sysco Corporation announced that Ajoy H. Karna has been named Senior VP of
Finance
The Plamondon Companies named Melanie Dyer Director of Marketing for Roy Rogers Restaurants.
Vail Resorts, Inc. announced the appointment of Michael Barkin as VP of Strategy and Development.
Waterford Hotel Group has appointed David Rebich as CFO.
Wyndham Hotel Group announced the appointment of Kevin Kobishop as VP of Operations for the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand.
Financial Focus:
Buffets, Inc. announced that it has completed its restructuring and that it has emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization.
Frisch’s Restaurants reported sales of $205,083,000 for the year ending 5/29/12.
Nathan’s Famous Inc. reported total revenues of $66,222,000 for the year ending 3/25/12.
Ruby Tuesday Inc. reported total revenue of $1,325,836,000 for the year ending 6/5/12.
The Marcus Corporation reported total revenues of $413,898,000 for the year ending 5/31/12; F&B from hotel operations was $54,465,000 and concessions from theatre operations were $74,478,000.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
Cineplex Inc.announced it has completed the acquisition of four theatres from AMC Entertainment Inc.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. The brand will become part of Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group, and closing is subject to certain conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
DineEquity, Inc. announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with TSFR Apple Venture LLC for the sale of 65 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in MI; closing is subject to regulatory processes related to liquor license transfers and other closing conditions. DineEquity also has separate agreements to sell 39 Applebee’s in VA and 33 Applebee’s in IN and MO; these transactions are expected to close in the third or early fourth quarter of this year.
McLane Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has entered into an agreement to acquire Meadowbrook Meat Co. Inc.; the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the termination of the applicable waiting period.
MTY Food Group Inc. announced today that it has signed a deal to buy the 13-unit Mr. Souvlaki chain; the sale is expected to close by Sept. 25.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. was acquired by Centerbridge Partners LP; the transaction privatized the company.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc. and European holding company Joh. A. Benckiser (“JAB”) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which JAB will acquire Peet’s; the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of shareholder and regulatory approvals.
SK USA, Inc. has agreed to purchase Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.; no closing date was announced.
US Foodsannounced it has agreed to acquire Hawkeye Foodservice Distribution, Inc. of Iowa City, IA; the transaction is expected to close in early August.
Industry Insight:
Arby’s is re-franchising some of its restaurants, beginning with 51 units in the Dallas-Fort Worth market to Sun Holdings.
Cinnabon and Carvel opened a co-branded restaurant in Libya.
Denny’s Corporation announced that it has signed an agreement for the development of 50 new Denny’s restaurants in southern China over the next 15 years.
Dunkin’ Donutsannounced that it has signed agreements that call for 38 new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Chile, 70 additional locations in Colombia and 25 new shops in Peru.
East Coast Wings & Grill and US Foodsannounced a formal alliance for servicing East Coast Wings & Grill’s growth plans.
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. announced that the company opened its first Canadian restaurant in Winnipeg, MB.
Johnny Rocketsannounced a franchise agreement to open 30 restaurants in Brazil. 
Romacorp, Inc. (dba Tony Roma’s) announced the signing of an agreement for the development of up to 10 new Tony Roma’s restaurants in Brazil.
Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem founder, Sylvia Woods, passed away.
Real Estate:
Another Broken Egg Café announced the signing of a multi-unit franchise agreement fo
r 10 restaurants in the Atlanta market over the next five years.
CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced its intent to develop new Hardee’s restaurants throughout the Minneapolis, MN, area. The company is seeking to expand its Minneapolis footprint over the next several years and sees the potential to develop more than 59 new restaurants in the market.
East Coast Wings is expanding its operations into GA, SC, and TX in 2012, and into AL, FL, KY, and VA thereafter.
Hurricane AMT LLC (dba Hurricane Grill & Wings) announced a new development agreement, adding a minimum of six locations to North Atlanta.
Jamba, Inc. announced expansion plans into new markets with new franchisees including Long Island, NY; Wayne, NJ; Pittsburgh, PA; Milwaukee, WI; and Toledo, OH. Store expansion with existing franchisees is also planned in CA, OH, KY, IN, and CT. These eight franchise agreements represent a total of 32 new Jamba Juice stores to be developed over the next five-to-seven years.
Krispy Kreme is planning to return to Charlotte, NC, with plans to open five company-owned shops. The expansion plan includes sites near the UNC-Charlotte campus area.
McAlister’s Deli has signed a multi-unit store development agreement calling for new restaurants in central MI. McAlister’s also announced the signing of three multi-unit store development agreements with new and existing franchisees for 10 new restaurants in the Greater Tampa, FL area, and five new restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha, NE. 
Zaxby’ssigned a multi-unit development agreement to open 32 Zaxby’s restaurants in the Norfolk and Richmond VA areas within the next seven years. Zaxby’s also opened its first location in LA, its 18th state. The company plans to have approximately 575 locations in its system by the start of 2013.
Green Initiatives:
Las Vegas Sands Corp. released its inaugural Environmental Report; the company highlighted its significant investments in state-of-the-art green technologies, including solar panels, nano-filtration systems and advanced building management systems.
A new Taco Bell restaurant opening in August in Kenova, WV, features numerous green elements including::

•Comfort E2 glass, which insulates during colder months and helps cool during the summer;
•LED lamps in the dining room, in the menu boards and in the parking lot;
•Solar tubes, a system used to harness daylight;
•Occupancy sensors in the restrooms;
•Dyson Airblade touch hand dryers;
•Energy Star appliances;
•Tankless water heaters;
•A roof with white rubber interior that deflects the sun’s heat to reduce energy use;
•A concrete parking lot, which reflects heat unlike asphalt; and
•Bike racks.