Personnel Updates:

Alamo Draft House named Jason Donoho as its Research & Development Chef.

American Blue Ribbon Holdings named Mickey Mills as President of its O’Charley’s chain.

American Hotel & Lodging Association named Katherine Lugar as CEO/President.

Arby’s Restaurant Group promoted Jo Ann Herold to VP Brand Communications and Public Relations, Nils Okeson to CAO/General Counsel, and Len Van Popering to Senior VP of Product Development and Innovation.

The Briad Group hired Robert Fix as VP of Franchise Sales for its CUPS brand.

Cheddar’s Casual Café named Peter Gaudreau as Exec VP of Operations. He was most recently with Freebirds World Burrito.

The Cheesecake Factory named David M. Gordon as President, replacing Michael Jannini; the company also named Spero Alex as Senior VP of Operations.

Concessions International named Donata Russell Major as CEO; previous CEO Michael Russell was named Vice Chairman.

DiamondRock Hospitality Company announced that John L. Williams will be retiring from his position as President and COO effective 5/1/13.

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants named Jeff Forrester as VP of Purchasing and Research & Development.

Dunkin’ Brands Group appointed Brian Campbell as VP of Development West, Rebecca Zogbi to VP Global Consumer and Business Insights, and Fred Schlecht to VP Talent Management.

East Coast Wings & Grill appointed Freddy Dupuy as Director of its Unit Economics/Quality Assurance Division.

Fiesta Restaurant Group (dba Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana) named Nancy Clark as Chief People Officer/VP.

Figaro’s Italian Pizza promoted Jennifer Young to Director of Marketing, replacing Holly Earle-Schultze.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard named Max Sheets as VP of Real Estate, a position he held at Smashburger’s.

Guest Services appointed Jeffrey Marquis President/COO effective 4/1/13.

Hastings Entertainment promoted Alan Van Ongevalle to President/COO.

Homestyle Dining (dba Bonanza and Ponderosa) named Thomas A. Sacco as CEO/President, replacing Tamara S. Jones. The company also named Ed Herman as VP of Company Operations; Andy Short as Director of Operations Support, overseeing Training and Information Technology, and Al Good as Corporate Chef, reporting to Dave McDonald, Senior VP of Purchasing and Distribution.

Ignite Restaurant Group announced the following promotions: Michael J. Dixon to President/CFO; and Edward J. McGraw to Chief Development Officer; James F. Mazany to President of Joe’s Crab Shack Restaurants; and James W. Kuhn to President of Brick House Tavern + Tap.

King’s Seafood promoted Kelly Ellerman to Chief People Officer.

La Madeleine Country French Café named John Cahill as President.

Liquid Nutrition appointed Anna Datri to VP of Marketing, Dean Spokes as VP of Operations and Nelson Cabral as VP of Merchandise.

Logan’s Roadhouse named Mike Andres as Chairman/CEO/President.

Moe’s Southwest Grill promoted Paul Macaluso to Chief Marketing Officer.

Panera Bread named Roger Matthews Jr. as CFO/Exec VP, effective 3/18.

Pizza Hut named Joe Kim as COO.

Qdoba Restaurant Corporation named Timothy P. Casey as President, effective 3/25/13.

Ruby Tuesday announced that Chief Branding Officer/Exec VP Daniel P. Dillon is no longer with the company.

Smoothie King appointed Tom O’Keefe as President/COO and re-appointed Joe Lewis as General Counsel. Wan Kim continues as CEO.

Sunstone Hotel Investors appointed John V. Arabia as President, Bryan A. Giglia as CFO/Senior VP, Robert C. Springer as Chief Investment Officer/Senior VP, Lindsay N. Monge as CAO/Senior VP/Treasurer, and David Sloan as Senior VP/General Counsel.

White Castle System promoted Lisa Ingram to President of the company.

Wingstop Restaurants named Doug Willmarth as Chief Marketing Officer; he most recently held the same job at Rave Cinemas.

Financial Focus:

AFC Enterprises reported total revenues of $178,800,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Bloomin’ Brands reported total revenues of $3,987,795,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Boston Pizza International reported revenue of $75,193,000 for the year ending 12/31/2012.

Boyd Gaming reported net revenues of $2,487,426,000 for the year ending 12/31/12; F&B sales were $417,506,000.

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group reported revenues of $409,065,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Caesars Entertainment reported net revenue of $8,586,700,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Carrols Restaurant Group reported total sales of $539,608,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

CEC Entertainment reported total revenues of $803,480,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Cedar Fair reported net revenues of $1,068,454,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

The Cheesecake Factory reported revenues of $1,809,017,000 for the year ending 1/1/13.

Chipotle Mexican Grill reported revenue of $2,731,224,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Chuy’s Holdings reported revenue of $172,640,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Cinemark reported total revenues of $2,473,531,000 for the year ending 12/31/12; concession sales were $771,405,000.

CKE Restaurants reported total revenue of $1,326,000,000 for the year ending 1/31/13.

Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group reported revenues of $232,435,000 for the year ending 12/25/12.

Denny’s Corporation reported total operating revenue of $488,363,000 for the year ending 12/26/12.

DiamondRock Hospitality reported total revenues of $749,647,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

DineEquity Inc. reported total revenues of $849,928,999 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Diversified Restaurant Holdings reported total revenue of $77,600,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Domino’s Pizza reported total revenues of $1,678,400,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group reported total revenues of $423,595,000 for the year ending 1/1/13.

FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. reported total revenues of $909,525,000 for the year ending 12/31/2012; F&B sales were $148,736,000.

Fidelity National Financial Inc., parent of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, reported revenue from its restaurant group of $909,300,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Fiesta Restaurant Group reported total revenues of $509,726,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Flat Out Crazy (dba Stir Crazy and FlatTop Grill) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Host Hotels & Resorts reported total revenues of $5,286,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Hyatt Hotels Corp. reported total revenues of $3,949,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Ignite Restaurant Group reported estimated total revenue of $465,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

InterContinental Hotels Group reported total revenue of $837,000,000 for its Americas division for the year ending 12/31/12.

International Speedway reported total revenues of $612,400,000 for the year ending 11/30/12.

Jamba Inc. reported total revenue of $228,789,000 for the year ending 1/1/13.

Kona Grill Inc. reported restaurant sales of $96,021,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Las Vegas Sands reported net revenues of $11,131,132,000 for the year ending 12/31/12; F&B sales were $628,528,000.

Marriott International reported total revenues of $11,814,000,000 for the year ending 12/28/12.

Meritage Hospitality Group reported company sales of $99,000,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

MGM Resorts reported net revenues of $9,160,844,000 for the year ending 12/31/12; F&B sales were $1,472,382,000.

Monarch Casino & Resort reported net revenues of $1790,357,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

MTR Gaming reported net revenues of $489,999,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

NPC International reported total sales of $1,048,923,000 for the year ending 12/25/12.

Panera Bread Company reported total revenues of $2,130,057,000 for the year ending 12/25/2012.

Papa John’s International reported total revenues of $1,342,653,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Pinnacle Entertainment reported total revenues of $1,197,103,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Pizza Pizza Limited reported revenues of $227,108,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Red Lion Hotels reported total revenues of $150,707,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers reported total revenues of $977,132,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

The Second Cup Ltd. Reported total revenue of $26,346,000 for the year ending 12/29/12.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation reported total revenue of $1,070,332,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts reported revenues from hotel operations of $5,034,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/12.

Texas Roadhouse reported total revenue of $1,263,331,000 for the year ending 12/25/12.

Tim Hortons reported revenues of $3,129,504,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

The Wendy’s Company reported revenues of $2,505,200,000 for the year ending 12/30/12.

Wynn Resorts reported net revenues of $5,154,284,000 for the year ending 12/31/12; F&B sales were $588,437,000.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

Bob Evans Farms Inc. announced an agreement to sell its Mimi’s Café chain to LeDuff America in early February; the transaction closed in March.

Ignite Restaurant Group agreed to acquire Romano’s Macaroni Grill from Golden Gate Capital; the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.

Regal Entertainment entered into an agreement to acquire Hollywood Theaters.

J. Alexander’s new owner, Fidelity National Finance, formed J. Alexander’s LLC that also includes 10 Stoney River Legendary Steaks restaurants contributed by American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC, which is also majority owned by Fidelity.

Industry Insight:

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s plans to franchise in Dubai as a key component in its growth strategy.

Burger King opened its first Barbados location.

Cinemark Holdings is selling all shares of its stock in Cinemark de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. announced it has entered into an area development agreement with International Meal Company (Bovesa:IMCH3) to develop and operate 57 restaurants under Darden’s Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands in Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Panama.

Fuddruckers is expanding into the Caribbean and Central America with locations planned for Aruba and Panama.

IHOP opened its first location in Kuwait.

Johnny Rockets opened two locations in Ecuador.

Krystal Co. is relocating its headquarters office to 1455 Lincoln Parkway in Atlanta.

Red Mango is expanding into Central America.

Round Table Pizza will develop 50 restaurants in India..

Starbucks Canada will be opening more than 120 outlets inside Target stores in that country.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V., to build and operate a minimum of 12 restaurants over an eight-year period throughout Mexico and Chile with the potential to expand the agreement to four other countries—Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

The New Miami Subs Grill signed an agreement for 56 new loations in the Gulf Coast Countries in the Middle East.

Villa Enterprises plans to open a Villa Italian Kitchen location in the Mall of Arabia food court in Cairo, Egypt.

Yum! Restaurants International plans to open 60-70 restaurants in Russia and other allied states.

Real Estate:

Bennigan’s Franchising Company announced the signing of five new franchise agreements and plans to develop 20 new restaurants in cities throughout FL, TN, and TX.

Brinker International projects 30-35 openings for Chili’s in fiscal 2013 and 1-2% per year domestically and 10-15% globally beginning in fiscal 2014. No new Maggiano’s are projected for the current fiscal year but growth of 5-10% is projected beginning next year.

Bruegger’s Bagels plans to develop 100 new shops by the end of 2015, including nine in western NY.

Buffalo Wild Wings plans to open 100 locations in 2013.

The Cheesecake Factory closed its three Grand Lux Cafes in AZ, CA, and CO.

Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to open 165-185 restaurants this year, include four international locations.

Chuy’s Holdings plans to add eight to nine new locations in 2013.

Corner Bakery Café plans to open 16 restaurants in the New York City area over the next six years; the company currently has 288 cafes under development.

DineEquity expects franchisees to open 40-50 Applebee’s and 50-60 IHOP restaurants in 2013.

Dunkin’ Donuts signed a development agreement for 11 new restaurants in the New Orleans market over the next several years. Franchise opportunities are still available in LA in Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans, Alexandria and Monroe. Dunkin’ Donuts also signed a development agreement for 13 new locations in the Dayton, OH, area.

Famous Dave’s wants to add as many as 50 new restaurants in FL and is seeking qualified franchisees.

Firehouse Subs expects to open 85 loactions in MA, ME, and NY over the next five years.

First Watch signed a franchise agreement for eight restaurants throughout TN, as well as KY and NC.

Front Burner Brands (dba Burger 21) announced franchise agreements for Albany, NY, and Sarasota, FL.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is expanding in AZ through a development agreement for 20 locations in the Phoenix/Tucson areas.

Hurricane Grill & Wings opened its first MD location.

Jake’s Wayback Burgers is opening eight new locations in the first quarter.

LM Restaurants, Inc. (dba Carolina Ale House) plans to open seven locations before next spring in NC, SC, TN, and TX.

Marco’s Pizza is looking for open nine locations in FL in the first quarter and 2-3 per month for the remainder of the year.

McAlister’s Deli will add five to eight locations in the Cincinnati area through a franchisee.

Papa Murphy’s plans to add 100 new stores in 2013.

Quaker Steak & Lube plans to open 17 new restaurants this year in FL, NJ, PA, SC, SD, TX, and WI.

Schlotzky’s signed a franchise agreement for 170 locations through CA.

Smashburger is planning to expand across Canada and plans to have 10-15 restaurants in Calgary over the next three to four years.

Toppers Pizza has 15 new locations under contract for 2013.

Zoes Kitchen plans to open company stores between Dallas and Philadelphia as well as in the Sun Belt.

Green Initiatives:

Tim Hortons installed its first electric vehicle charging stations as part of a new pilot project. Charging stations are now available for guest use, free of charge, at Tim Hortons located in Oakville, ON, and for use by corporate employees at head office, in an effort to study the technology, its usage and opportunities.