Award-Winning NYC Beverage Entrepreneur Calls on State Legislature to Reject Obesity Tax

Vapiano Receives Influx of Capital for Expansion

Bacon Bits Recalled Over Listeria Fears

The Middleby Corporation Completes Acquisition of TurboChef Technologies, Inc.

California Pizza Kitchen Appoints Sue Collyns Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President

Connecticut Adopts Quality Standard for Olive Oil

Battered restaurateurs looking for relief in 2009

Restaurant Owners Struggle to Operate Under Leaner Sales

Figgy Goes to New York

Homero Ortegon Joins Middleby Marshall as Vice President of Business Development

Pizza Patrón Opens Trend-setting QSP (Quick Service Pizza) Restaurant

Santa visits Mundelein pizza shop

Lou Malnati's employee serves up tradition

Uno Chicago Grill First Casual Dining Chain to Offer Virtual Gift Cards as a Great Last-Minute Gift for the Holidays

Domino's Chair says company will survive

Make-A-Wish campaign heads to halfway point

Air National Guard Flight Surgeon to Bring Sandella's Flatbread Cafe to Alabama

Papa Romano’s Pizza and Mr. Pita to Enter Indiana and Illinois under New Master Franchise Agreement

Feeding the economy: Mid-priced restaurants still faring well

Police: Robbers targeting pizzerias

Tampa Bay area Pizza Huts change hands

PIZZA: Grill It, Bake It, Love It! By Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough

Award-Winning NYC Beverage Entrepreneur Calls on State Legislature to Reject Obesity Tax
01/06/2009
Liz Morrill, Founder & CEO of Fizzy Lizzy, a brand of all-natural sparkling juice based in Manhattan, has issued urgent appeals to all members of the New York State Legislature to reject Governor Paterson's planned eighteen percent "obesity tax" on carbonated beverages slated for 2009. In New York City, the tariff would increase the existing sales tax on sparkling juice (and on numerous other packaged beverages) that has existed since 1965, to over 26%.   Read more . . .

Vapiano Receives Influx of Capital for Expansion
01/06/2009
Vapiano, the innovative fresh casual restaurant and lounge has received funding from three European banks for a total of 45 million Euro ($62.5 million USD) to fund Vapiano’s expansion throughout several years. Vapiano has also acquired a strategic equity partner who will provide another 5 million Euro ($7m USD). Vapiano will take full advantage of this infusion of capital and continue an already successful expansion of its hot concept.   Read more . . .

Bacon Bits Recalled Over Listeria Fears
01/06/2009 - www.nrn.com
About 3,590 pounds of bacon bits have been recalled because of concerns that the products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Safety Inspection Service said Saturday.  Read more . . .

The Middleby Corporation Completes Acquisition of TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
01/06/2009
The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) and TurboChef Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVEN) today announced that Middleby has completed its acquisition of TurboChef for $3.67 in cash and 0.0486 shares of Middleby common stock for each outstanding share of TurboChef common stock in accordance with the terms of an agreement and plan of merger entered into August 12, 2008 and amended November 21, 2008. The acquisition closed on January 5, 2009. Middleby financed the transaction under its senior revolving credit facility.   Read more . . .

California Pizza Kitchen Appoints Sue Collyns Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
01/06/2009
California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPKI) today announced that Sue Collyns has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Ms. Collyns will maintain her position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.   Read more . . .

Connecticut Adopts Quality Standard for Olive Oil
01/06/2009
The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) applauds the state of Connecticut for enacting a new regulation that adopts the International Olive Council standard for olive oil for all olive oils sold in Connecticut.  Read more . . .

Battered restaurateurs looking for relief in 2009
01/06/2009 - www.nrn.com
Restaurant operators nationwide are arming themselves with value promotions, new menu offerings and continued cost cutting to fight against what is shaping up to be a challenging 2009. The year ahead is not likely to provide the industry with its much-needed sales turn around, according to operators, new data from the National Restaurant Association and an exclusive survey from Nation’s Restaurant News. Some relief could be found, however, in more favorable real estate and lease trends, more stable commodity costs, and the recalculation of more operator-friendly supplier contracts.   Read more . . .

Restaurant Owners Struggle to Operate Under Leaner Sales
01/06/2009 - www2.journalnow.com
According to a news report from 2.journalnow.com, "When people tighten their wallets during economic hardships, eating out every week tends to put a glaring dent in their budgets. For some, this means eating out less or going only to their favorite restaurants on special occasions. And local restaurant owners said that their books can tell the difference."  Read more . . .

Figgy Goes to New York
01/06/2009
Ever had a slice of authentic New York pizza? A slice that’s so big that you have to fold it in half to contain its delicious contents? If not, that day could come sooner than expected now that Figaro’s Pizza has debuted its newest menu offering – NY Style Pizza.  Read more . . .

Homero Ortegon Joins Middleby Marshall as Vice President of Business Development
01/06/2009
Homero Ortegon has joined Middleby Marshall as Vice President of Business Development, effective January 5, 2009. Middleby Marshall is the world leader in conveyor cooking ovens.   Read more . . .