Personnel Updates:

American Restaurant Holdings, Inc. announced that Kurt Schaeffer has joined its management team as Vice President of Operations.

Biscuitville appointed Connie Bennett as COO.

Bloomin’ Brands International named John Massari as CFO, succeeding Mark Hutchens.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza hired Doug Sanderson as Director of Training.

Buffalo Wild Wings named Brian Coan its VP of Enterprise Supply Chain.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop hired Quentin Wilson as Director of Marketing.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Chris Ivy as Chief Development Officer in the Americas.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill president Steve Schlemon resigned effective 2/14/14 to become CEO/President of Benihana Inc.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company announced Carrie Boldman as the company’s corporate VP, Merchandise and Games. In addition, the company announced the promotion of Matt Shafer to corporate VP, Strategic Alliances.

Cinemark promoted Robert Copple to President/COO; a search is underway to name his successor as CFO.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Jane Mackie as VP, Fairmont Brand.

Famous Dave’s announced that Ed Rensi has been appointed as Interim CEO; he succeeds John Gilbert, who resigned.

Fazoli’s hired Jonathan Quinn as VP of Marketing.

First Watch hired Shane Schaibly as Corporate Chef/Director of Culinary.

Foxwoods Resort Casino appointed Anthony Mason to the position of Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Felix D. Rappaport to the position of COO.

J. Alexander’s hired Rob Miles as Director of Real Estate and Development.

Herrell’s Ice Cream Corporation named President/Owner Judith Herrell, as CEO.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. announced that Jeffrey B. Welch, Senior Vice President and President – International, is no longer with the Company, effective 1/31/14. Krispy Kreme also announced that Dan Beem will succeed Welch in that role; Beem was most recently President of Cold Stone Creamery.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts announced that Ed Carrella has been promoted to corporate director of restaurants for Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Marcus Theatres announced that Ann Stadler was appointed Chief Marketing Officer/VP, Sonny Gourley was appointed Senior VP of the Film Department, and Kim Lueck to Chief Information Technology Officer/VP.

Maui Wowi announced the appointment of Justin Livingston to VP of Business Development, and the following promotions: Eric Richardson to director of construction services, Misty Hartner senior manager of franchise support, and Jaci Kuntz to franchise support coordinator

Mazzio’s LLC named Sheri Miksa president and chief executive; she was most recently chief executive at the Atlanta-based fast-casual Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken.

McDonald’s Corp. has named Deborah Wahl chief marketing officer of its USA division, succeeding Neil Golden, who has retired.

MOD Pizza announced the following new hires: Brad Baker as VP of Design and Construction, Greta Pass as VP of Real Estate, and Steve O’Neill as Director of Operations Services.

MooYah Franchising named Michael Morales as CFO.

Papa Murphy’s International hired Mark Hutchens as CFO; he was most recently at Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

Parkhurst Dining appointed Chris McDonough to Director of Partnership Development.

Penn National Gaming, Inc. announced that effective 2/1/14, Carl Sottosanti has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Sottosanti succeeds Jordan Savitch. Penn National also promoted Jose Flores to General Manager of Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor, succeeding John Osborne who retired.

Piccadilly Restaurants, LLC announced that Robin Tassin-Liggett has been promoted to chief people officer.

Prime Restaurants’ President/COO Nicholas Perpick retired as of 1/31/14; the company also noted the departure of Rick McNabb, COO of Swiss Chalet and Harvey’s.

Quaker Steak & Lube named CFO Frederick Dreibholz its interim CEO after the departure of John Longstreet.

Red Lion Hotels appointed Greg Mount as CEO/President, succeeding James P. Evans. Red Lion also announced the departure of Ron Burgett in Franchise Development. The company later appointed Bill Linehan as Chief Marketing Officer/Exec VP and promoted Harry G. Gladich to Exec VP of Hotel Operations and Sales.

Roy Rogers appointed Carrie Isabell as Director of Marketing.

Sage Hospitality promoted Jan Lucas to Regional VP of Select Service Division.

Schlotzsky’s appointed Mark A. Mears to Chief Marketing Officer.

SONIC Drive-In announced the hiring of Steve Bailey and Craig Sherwood as senior directors of franchise sales.

Starbucks Corporation announced the following personnel changes effective 2/3/14: Troy Alstead was promoted to COO; Scott Maw was promoted to CFO/Exec VP; and Craig Russell was promoted to Exec VP Global Coffee.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf appointed Bill Robards as VP of Store Development and Cori Connell as General Counsel/VP of Legal Services.

The Second Cup announced that Alix Box has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective 2/24/14. Ms. Box succeeds Stacey Mowbray, who has resigned.

ThinkFood Group named former Ruby Tuesday executive Kimberly Grant as COO.

Tijuana Flats named Monique Yeager as vice president of marketing.

 

Financial Focus:

Boston Pizza International Inc. reported total revenues of $77,920,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Buffalo Wild Wings reported total revenue of $1,266,719,000 for the year ending 12/29/13.

Buffet Partners, L.P. (dba Furr’s Fresh Buffet) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Burger King Worldwide reported total revenues of $1,146,300,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. reported revenue of $3,214,591,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Cineplex Inc. reported revenues of $1,171,267,000 for the year ending 12/31/13; concession sales were $350,353,000.

Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc. reported revenues of $197,231,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Dover Motorsports reported revenues of $46,180,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. reported total revenues of $713,840,000 for the year ending 12/28/13.

Famous Dave’s reported total revenue of $155,432,000 for the year ending 12/29/13.

HDOS Enterprises (dba Hot Dog on a Stick) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Jersey Mike’s Subs reported systemwide sales of $406,000,000 for 2013.

Kona Grill Inc. reported restaurant sales of $98,250,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Las Vegas Sands reported net revenues of $18,769,885,000 for the year ending 12/31/13; F&B sales were $730,259,000.

LaSalle Hotel Properties Inc. reported preliminary results of $977,300,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Loews Corporation reported revenues from hotel operations of $380,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

McAlister’s Deli reported systemwide sales of $459,000,000 for 2013.

McDonald’s Corporation reported total revenues of $28,105,700,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Meritage Hospitality Group reported preliminary sales of $137,800,000 for the year ending 12/30/13.

Moe’s Southwest Grill reported systemwide sales of $526,000,000 for 2013.

Penn National Gaming Inc. reported net revenues of $2,918,754,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. reported total revenues of $1,487,836,000 for the year ending 12/31/13; F&B sales were $78,857,000.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. reported total revenues of $1,017,247,000 for the year ending 12/29/13.

Regal Entertainment reported total revenues of $3,038,100,000 for the year ending 12/26/13; concessions sales were $816,900,000.

Smashburger reported systemwide sales of $228,000,000 for 2013.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts reported revenues from hotel operations of $1,612,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

The Cheesecake Factory reported revenues of $1,877,910,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation reported net revenues from its Lodging operations of $1,027,000,000 for the year ending 12/31/13.

Yum! Brands Inc. reported total revenues of $13,084,000,000 for the year ending 12/28/13.

 

Mergers & Acquisitions:

Apollo Global Management, LLC acquired CEC Entertainments Inc., operator of the Chuck E. Cheese’s chain; the transaction privatized the company.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited acquired a majority interest in The Keg Royalties Income Fund and Keg Restaurants Ltd.

First Watch Restaurants acquired the 20-unit The Good Egg chain.

Food Management Partners acquired Don Pablo’s from Rita Restaurant Corp.; all management functions for Don Pablo’s will move to San Antonio.

Sentinel Capital Partners agreed to buy Tampa’s Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. Terms of the deal were not released.

 

Industry Insight:

AFC Enterprises, Inc. announced that it has changed its corporate name to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. and its NASDAQ ticker symbol changed to “PLKI” effective at the start of trading on 1/21/14.

Cinnabon Inc. opened its first location in Morocco.

Dairy Queen recently re-entered Taiwan and plans to enter Vietnam and Guyana in 2014.

Domino’s Pizza is mandating that all stores in its system will be remodeled by the end of 2017.

Fuddruckers opened its first location in Dominican Republic.

Johnny Rockets first location in India opened.

Krispy Kreme announced that it has signed a multiyear development agreement for the Guangdong Province of China and expects to develop 23 stores over the next five years.

McDonald’s opened its first location in Vietnam.

Nichols Foodservice of Wallace, NC is shutting down the company at the end of March.

Subway plans to open more than 1,200 stores in the UK and Ireland by 2020.

Yogurtland opened its first store in Dubai.

 

Real Estate:

Bennigan’s has announced development agreements for AR, CA, FL, MN, NJ, TN, TX, VA, and multiple international locations; the company hopes to double in size within the next few years.

BJ’s Restaurants plans to open 15 new restaurants in 2014.

Corner Bakery Cafe announced a new multi-unit development agreement and plans to open nine new restaurants in the Central Valley area. The company is also looking to expand to new markets in AL, IN, MN, MO, NC, OH and TN.

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. has struck a 10-year multi-unit deal that will add 100 new Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants in Fresno, The Inland Empire, Greater Los Angeles and the Central Coastal market areas.

Dunkin’ Brands plans 380-410 new domestic Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants five to 10 new domestic Baskin-Robbins locations.

Dunkin’ Donuts opened northern CA for franchise development, following several earlier announcements regarding agreements in other parts of the state; the goal is to eventually have 1,000 locations in the state.

Huddle House recently signed deals for eight new restaurants in AL, GA, and IL.

J. Alexander’s plans to open one J. Alexander’s and one Stoney River location in 2014.

Jersey Mike’s is looking for franchisees in target markets including NY/NJ, Northern CA, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta and satellite markets throughout the country.

Krispy Kreme has signed a development agreement to add 20 new doughnut shops in Southern California during the next seven years.

McAlister’s Deli expects to open 25 new restaurants this year.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is planning to open 96 new stores in 2014 and sign 200 new franchise agreements. Moe’s has nine agreements sold in Chicago where developers are looking for real estate. Moe’s also signed a deal to bring 18 new restaurants to Sacramento and Santa Cruz over the next seven years. Moe’s has also targeted Sacramento and Santa Cruz as growth markets to open its first California restaurants.

MooYah Franchising plans to open 44 new locations in 2014, building its presence in existing markets.

Pizza Patron plans to have 25 new locations open by the end of 2014.

PizzaRev announced signed agreements with four franchisee groups which will bring new units to San Diego County and Orange County CA, UT, NE, ND and SD.

Quaker Steak & Lube is projecting 11 new restaurant openings in 2014 with two scheduled for the first quarter of this year in Warren, OH and Edison, NJ. The remainder will open throughout 2014 in PA, VA, OH, NJ, TX, with new markets opening in LA, MI, NE and TN.

Schlotzsky’s is hoping to open six Minnesota locations.

Smashburger expects to add 60 to 70 new restaurants this year, about 30 of which will be company owned.

Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. announced it is targeting Atlanta for franchise expansion and is aiming to open 25 new locations in the market over the next five years.

SONIC Drive-In announced a franchise development agreement for six new drive-ins in Syracuse and Watertown, NY in the next four years.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened its first property in WV.

Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen plans to open 60 new restaurants in North and West Texas.

 

Green Comments:

Chick-fil-A announced that its location in San Jose, CA, earned LEED Silver certification; the San Jose location will use 10% less water, thanks to low-flow fixtures, and 14% less energy. It is also undertaking waste-diversion goals, such as cooking-oil recycling and a compost program.

MGM Resorts International has started the largest installation of Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Nevada. Twenty-seven EV charging stations will be located at nine of the company’s Las Vegas resorts in addition to MGM Resorts’ main corporate offices. Additional stations will be available at Circus Circus Reno. The charging stations, which will be installed in guest garages and valet areas, will be available for employees and guests to use at no cost.