Arizona’s Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is seeing more local and national competition in its segment of the always competitive restaurant landscape.

Tempe-based Tilted Kilt and Clearwater, Fla.-based Hooters are seeing a growing number similar concepts in what’s become known as the “breastaurant” segment. Those are restaurants, sports bars and even coffee shop concepts that feature attractive, young female servers in skimpy uniforms.

The latest entrant in the Phoenix and Scottsdale marketplace will be a Twin Peaks restaurant opening in Scottsdale at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and the Loop 101.

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Indianapolis Hooters Raises Over $4,000 for the Children's Bureau and Will Host a Holiday Party

Atlanta, GA  (RestaurantNews.com)  On Saturday, December 17th the Hooters of the Indianapolis area will host a Holiday Party at the Children’s Bureau, providing food for the staff and 30 children.  Hooters partnered with the Children’s Bureau for the holidays and has raised over $4,000 to use toward presents, center supplies and will donate any additional money to be used as the organization sees fit.

The Holiday Party will be held from 11:30 – 1:00 PM at the Gene Glick Family Support Center located at 1575 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, and is open to all families and children who utilize the services provided by the Children’s Bureau.  The Hooters Girls will be on hand to hand out presents and assist with the catering needs.

“The Children’s Bureau is such an important organization and we are honored to be able to help them during the Holidays,” stated Elana Jack, Regional Promotional Manager for the Hooters of Indianapolis.  “They impact thousands of people annually, and we are happy to be able to make this time of the year special for the children and families here.”

About Children’s Bureau, Inc.

Children’s Bureau is a private nonprofit human service organization and the leading provider of comprehensive child services in the state of Indiana. Over 23,000 children and families are served annually through an array of Children’s Bureau programs and services, specifically, family preservation, parenting assessment, adoption, therapeutic foster care, emergency shelter care, fatherhood engagement, CCDF and the Community Partners for Child Safety Program. Children’s Bureau, Inc. was founded in 1851 and is licensed by the State of Indiana. For more information, please visit www.childrensbureau.org.

About Hooters of America, LLC

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

Restaurant Veteran to Lead Hooters Focus on Operations Excellence and Food and Beverage Development

Hooters Names Sam Rothschild as COO

Atlanta, GA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Hooters of America, LLC has named Sam Rothschild as Chief Operating Officer to lead focus on operations excellence, and food and beverage development.  With over 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Rothschild joins Hooters to lead the company as it focuses on growth and evolving menu offerings, quality and consistency.

“I am excited to be a part of Hooters team and culture, and am looking forward to being part of a new group of leaders to take the brand to the next level,” stated Rothschild.

Rothschild’s extensive operational background includes over two decades of executive experience.  He served as Sr. Vice President of Company and Franchise Operations for Applebee’s from 2003 – 2011 and Tony Roma’s 2000 – 2003.  Prior to that, he spent 13 years with Metromedia Restaurant Group in several executive roles including Vice President of International Operations of Bennigan’s.  Rothschild received a Culinary Degree from Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

Contact:

Alexis Aleshire
Director of Public Relations
Hooters of America, LLC
770-799-2256
AAleshire@Hooters.com

Free Hooters Wings for Veterans on November 11

On Friday November 11th Hooters will honor all Veterans and active duty military personnel with 10 of Hooters nearly world famous Chicken Wings. All day on Veteran’s Day, personnel with proof of service or a Military ID will receive 10 free wings. The offer is for either boneless, naked or traditional breaded wings and is only available for dine in orders.

Hooters Operation Calendar Drop will also kick off on Veterans Day, to support the servicemen and women who are stationed overseas during the holidays. Guests can purchase a 2012 Hooters Calendar for a soldier, attach a note of appreciation and the manager will ship the Calendars out to a designated forward operating base in Iraq or Afghanistan to show support for our troops and thank them for their service to our country. A portion of the sale from each calendar will be donated to Operation HomeFront to provide support for military families. In recent years over 150,000 Hooters Calendars have been sent to troops and over $300,000 donated through this effort.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.

Twin Peaks co-founder and CEO Randy DeWitt responded today to a federal lawsuit filed in Atlanta last week by the Hooters of America restaurant chain against new Twin Peaks franchisee La Cima.

The lawsuit claims that former Hooters executive Joe Hummel, now a part of La Cima, took information that would provide Twin Peaks with trade secrets as well as confidential and proprietary business information belonging to Hooters that will give Twin Peaks “significant competitive advantages.”

DeWitt asserts, “None of Hooters trade secrets have ever been offered to Twin Peaks and we would not want them anyway.”

Statement by Twin Peaks co-founder and CEO Randy DeWitt:

“I apologize for the delay in responding to the many media inquiries requesting comment on the lawsuit of Hooters of America vs. La Cima Restaurants, our new franchisee, but the Twin Peaks management team has been focused on supporting openings of six new Twin Peaks restaurants in San Antonio, Odessa, Baton Rouge, Houston, Scottsdale and Denver.

“La Cima is the Twin Peaks franchisee that will be opening restaurants in the Southeastern US. Although Twin Peaks, the franchisor, is not a party to the lawsuit, I felt it necessary to issue the following comments due to the many media requests I have received.

“We think the lawsuit is frivolous and baseless. No one ever offered Twin Peaks any of Hooters trade secrets and it’s ludicrous we would ever want them anyway. To think we would benefit from using their trade secrets seems preposterous to me.

“At Twin Peaks, we have developed our own unique brand strategy, with systems and procedures that are unique to Twin Peaks. All of our franchisees, including La Cima, are required to use our systems and not use the strategy and systems from their previous company.

“We found Joe Hummel and the entire La Cima team to be highly ethical, experienced and capable restaurant executives. We wanted them as franchisees for those reasons. It made no difference to us what brand they were associated with previously.

“Finally, some reports have left the impression that Joe Hummel was involved in the development of Twin Peaks. Scott Gordon and I founded Twin Peaks in 2005. Joe was not a founder. Scott and I have never worked for Hooters and only went there a few times as customers. We did not think the food was very good and the brand was stuck in the 1980′s, but not in a cool retro way. The fact that they employ an attractive all-female service staff is hardly a secret.

“The bottom line is that any significant competitive advantages La Cima enjoys will come from Twin Peaks, not from the company they left.”

On October 4th Hooters will be celebrating the 28th Anniversary of the nearly world famous restaurant that started in Clearwater, FL in 1983.  In recognition of this milestone, all customers who dine in at Hooters on Tuesday will get 10 of Hooters signature chicken wings free when they buy 10.

Hooters prides itself on holding true to the original concept of beautiful Hooters Girls serving great food and drinks in a fun, beach-themed atmosphere; and now over 1 million customers enjoy the Hooters concept each week in the 430 locations in the US and in 27 other countries.

Over the past 28 years, the Hooters brand has become a pop-culture icon. Hooters is often found in the story line of movies and TV shows, and the brand has extended beyond restaurants to casinos, sports series and teams, credit cards, apparel, retail food products and even an airline. Through the years some 300,000 Hooters Girl alumni have gone from wearing the famous Orange Shorts to successful careers as actresses, lawyers, doctors, teachers and elected officials.  Hooters has also demonstrated that community involvement is an essential element of the organization and to date HOO.C.E.F. (The Hooters Community Endowment Fund) has donated over $8 Million to a wide range of worthwhile national charities and local causes.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.

Hooters, the restaurant chain famous for its scantily clad Hooters Girls, sued the partner of an upstart rival in Georgia federal court this week, accusing the company developing Twin Peaks restaurants and a former Hooters executive of stealing trade secrets in their bid to take on the “delightfully tacky yet unrefined” restaurant chain.

In their lawsuit, Hooters claims that Joseph Hummel, former Hooters vice president, jumped ship to help develop the similarly themed Twin Peaks restaurants (motto: “Eats, Drinks, Scenic Views”) in July and took “sensitive business information” with him. The alleged trade secrets apparently involve more than just skimpy waitress outfits. According to the suit, in the weeks leading up to his departure to Twin Peaks development partner La Cima Restaurants, Hummel downloaded and emailed to his private account a “substantial volume” of Hooters documents, including plans related to management, recruitment, distribution and sales.

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This football season Hooters is offering fans a Buy 10 Get 10 Free Wing offer and a chance to meet Lee Corso during the Lee Corso’s Saturday Ticket promotion.  Customers can log onto Facebook and “Like” the Hooters Page at www.facebook.com/Hooters to receive the coupon and enter for a chance to meet Lee Corso in New Orleans.

“With over 1.4 million Hooters Fans on Facebook and the popularity of college football and Lee Corso, we are looking for a significant turnout to kick off the season,” said Mike McNeil, CMO for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”This is the first time we have coupled national TV advertising with a Facebook promotion and we are excited to see all the ‘ticket holders’ show up on Saturdays this fall.”

The Buy 10 Get 10 Wing offer is good on Saturdays for customers who dine in.  During fantasy football, Hooters hosted over 25,000 draft leagues and has established Hooters as the football headquarters.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com.

While other restaurant chains are struggling in the current poor economy of the country, McDonald’s is still soaring ahead. Franchisees see great success due in part to the skills and genius of CEO Jim Skinner. He’s turned the company around since joining the McDonald’s Corporation in 2004 with a growth in sales of 5%.

OpenTable has announced the winners of their Top 50 Restaurants for Late Night Dining. The company used over 10 million reviews to compile the best in this category from across the country. 5 locations of the B.B. King’s Blues Club received top ranks in different cities like Las Vegas and Tennessee. New York had the most spots with four.

Buzztime provides great games and entertainment to bars and taverns around the country with innovative computer systems. The system will soon launch a new football game called The Season. The game will only be available on Friday nights throughout September. Players from all states will play live football trivia games and win great prizes.

Hooters has a new President and CEO. Terrance Marks is joining the company from The Pantry, a large chain of full-service convenience stores. He also gained valuable experience with 21 years at Coca Cola in various finance, sales and distribution positions. The change came as part of new ownership under a group of private investors.

TCBY, also known as The Country’s Best Yogurt, was founded nearly 30 years ago. The chain still has over 600 locations today and continues to grow. To celebrate the milestone anniversary the company plans to host a promotional 30% coupon on their Facebook page. Fans can also enter to win free frozen yogurt through the page.

Applebee’s, through a partnership with the Corner Bakery Cafe chain, has raised over $350,000 for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The funds will help support the fight to end childhood cancer. The two chains have raised money during the past seven summers for the charity, with a grand total of over $2 million dollars.

Spicy Pickle Sandwich Company recently opened their newest franchised location in Minot, South Dakota. The store’s grand opening celebration was met with record sales and excitement from the community. The restaurant uses the newest store layout and menu and serves breakfast, a relatively new feature for the chain.

A new Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers restaurant opened in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Monday, August 29^th. The franchise location is owned by Reid Fogleman. The restaurant offers the full menu from the brand, including gluten free crust options for diners with food allergies. The full-service bar and wide selection of beer is another draw.

Yogurtini, a self-serve yogurt chain that began in 2008, has announced the grand opening of its 12^th location. The new restaurant will open in the Denver Tech Center in Denver, Colorado. To celebrate the location will be giving away free frozen yogurt to guests on the grand opening day, which will be August 27^th.

Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a new development agreement with Southern Food Services. The company will develop four new locations in the Huntsville area of Alabama. One of the restaurants will be open by the end of next year. The company is owned and operated by the Robinson family, but other franchise opportunities are still available around the state.

Hooters of America, LLC, a franchisor and operator of over 435 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries, today announced that Terrance M. Marks will join the company this fall as President and CEO.  Most recently, Mr. Marks was President and CEO of the publicly-traded The Pantry, Inc., where he was responsible for over 1,650 convenience stores in 13 states.

Prior to the Pantry, Mr. Marks spent 21 years at Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (“CCE”) in various sales, operations, finance and general management roles culminating as President of CCE North America.  As President, he directed all sales, marketing, finance, operations, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain and human resources for the $15 billion enterprise with 55,000 employees in 400 locations.  Mr. Marks received a BA in Communications from the University of Southern California.  He and his wife Cecile have three children.  Mr. Marks will begin with Hooters early this fall following a transition plan with his current company.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Atlanta and am very excited to be joining the Hooters team,” said Marks.  ”Throughout my career I have been privileged to experience both the power of world class brands and the excitement of nurturing the development of lesser known ones. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of a great brand like Hooters is extremely energizing to me. In just a little over two decades Hooters has become known around the world for great American food, a fun environment and of course the iconic Hooters Girls. This record of success is a credit to all those who have contributed to the development of the brand, and I look forward to working with the Hooters team as we lead the Company into its next phase of growth.”

HOA was acquired in January 2011 by a consortium of private investors including H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly and Chanticleer Holdings from the estate the late Robert H. Brooks. Mr. Marks succeeds Coby Brooks, President and CEO of the company since 2003 who was Mr. Brooks’ son. He will direct the company from its Atlanta headquarters where the company has been based since 1984.

Commenting on the hire, Tim Armstrong, director of HOA and Managing Director at H.I.G. Capital notes that,   “Terry brings with him the accumulated experience from a long and successful career capitalizing on the power of brands.  Hooters has come tremendously far since 1983.  Terry brings the operational and strategic expertise to take the brand to a whole new level of performance.”

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 435 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.

Hooters of America Inc., the restaurant chain best known for its tank top-clad waitresses and spicy chicken wings, settled a lawsuit challenging the company’s sale to a buyout firm, a lawyer said.

Hooters managers, the family of Robert “Bob” Brooks, the chain’s former chief executive officer, and officials of private-equity firms Chanticleer Investors LLC and Wellspring Capital Management LLC agreed to resolve the Delaware Chancery Court case over the chain’s sale to Chanticleer, Lewis R. Clayton, a New York-based lawyer for Wellspring, said in a May 6 interview.

“The settlement is confidential and the parties have agreed to dismiss all claims,” Clayton added.

Brooks’s family sold its interests in the 455-restaurant chain to a group of investors led by Chanticleer earlier this year for an undisclosed amount. The sale resolved a dispute over the executive’s estate, according to court filings. Brooks, known as Hooters’ “Worldwide Wing Commander,” died in 2006.

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Olive Garden is giving away an 8 day tour of Italy, complete with a visit to the Culinary Institute of Tuscany. A daily first prize will also be awarded consisting of a $20 gift card. Visitors can enter through the company’s Facebook page, and additional entries will be granted for guests who check in during their visit to Foursquare or Facebook.

Denny’s restaurants have issued a challenge to ‘Man vs. Food’ star Adam Richman. The challenge involves him eating at least $40 worth of food from their $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu. Denny’s has also pledged to donate $12,468 to the Special Olympics if he takes the challenge. 16 items are featured on the menu.

The National Restaurant Association has spoken up to oppose S. 575, which will allow card swipe companies to put off revealing and restructuring their fee structures for another two years. Banks would be forced to compete for business, or could only charge fair and reasonable fees without compeition. The regulations only affect banks with assets over $10 billion. Representatives from the Association say that the delay would cost the restaurant industry $1.3 billion a month.

The new Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, containing over 100 drink options in the same footprint as a regular 8 nozzle drink dispenser, launched on March 15^th at Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta in Denver. 50 more machines will be tested for four years in restaurants throughout Georgia and Southern California. The new drink options include flavored waters and sparkling fruit juice beverages.

Smashburger is a multi-national chain that focuses on regional options and favorites in each of their restaurants. Currently available in 19 states, each location offers visitors the signature combinations and flavors of their city. For example, the local burger of San Diego features avocado and sour cream, while the Las Vegas version is topped with fried egg and bacon.

Saladworks, a new chain franchise specializing in tossed salads, is offering personal visits from the top three executives of the company to new franchisee owners. The team will take two trips a month to visit new developments in previously untapped markets. The franchisee can combine their knowledge of the local market with the executives’ expertise in the brand. Franchisees may find new expansion locations due to the real estate knowledge of the company.

New smoothies from Jamba Juice are designed to provide at least three full servings of fruits and vegetables in a 16 oz size cup. The three new flavors include Orange Carrot Karma, Apple n’ Greens and Berry UpBEET. The recipes combine vegetables and fruits to make sweet, tasty smoothies with a greater health benefit.

Dunkin’ Donuts has renewed their focus on new franchisee growth this year. Their main focus lies in Iowa this time, specifically around the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City. Operators in these marketers can take advantage of reduced royalties for three years and generous local marketing help if the stores open on time.

Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequilas, located in Brea, California, is holding a celebration for Erendida Jacobo, a bartender who has been with the restaurant since the opening. Due to her recent diagnosis with breast cancer, the restaurant will donate 25% of all bar sales on the upcoming Erendida Day to help her pay for medical expenses. Local philanthropist Dwight Manley will match the restaurant’s donations.

On March 17^th and 18^th the first rounds of March Madness will be played, and Hooters is inviting basketball fans to visit their restaurants to watch the games. The chain is providing a joke Doctor’s Note for workers who are supposed to report to work, as well as a variety of coupons. Visitors can watch the first round games and enjoy wonderful food and a wide variety of beer and mixed drinks.

Hooters is declaring March 17th and 18th National Play Hooky Days, encouraging customers to watch the first round games of the basketball tournament at Hooters.  Fans are encouraged to visit www.HootersHookyDay.com to cure their “basketball fever” and download a doctor’s note and redeem a free appetizer coupon this Thursday and Friday during the games.

“If you’ve got basketball fever, then Hooters is where you have to be on March 17th and 18th,” said Mike McNeil, VP of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”WE are hoping for an epidemic this year as we build on the success from 2010.”

During this promotion, Hooters has again partnered with long time Hooters spokesperson and college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale.  He is featured in the Hooters national TV commercial, alongside “Nurse Ashleigh”, as well as on in store point of sale and Hooters season menu.  Hooters will also donate $1 per new Facebook Like to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Grant, up to $10,000.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com.

Panera Bread has experienced continuing growth for the past four consecutive quarters despite the U.S. recession. Expansion into the catering industry and a new customer loyalty program has largely driven the double digit gains. The program, called MyPanera, gives customers points for each purchase that can be used for discounts and coupons.

A new summer camp for the children of disabled and wounded veterans has been developed by Golden Corral. 400 children will be invited to a free, week-long summer camp run by 4-H Youth Development staffers at a North Carolina 4-H camp. Parents will only be responsible for transportation to and from the camp location. Golden Corral visitors in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina can make donations to the camp at any restaurant in those states.

Subway recently passed McDonald’s in the race for the most restaurant locations, and founder Fred DeLuca couldn’t be happier. He founded the company at 17 to pay for his college education and now the corporation boasts over 33,000 global locations. The self-made billionaire stays on top of the competition by expanding to global markets aggressively and occasionally visiting the restaurants of his competitors.

Starbucks and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters have partnered together to release a line of Starbucks branded premium coffee beverages for the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System. The Keurig drink machine creates high quality coffee shop beverages from individually packaged servings of concentrated bases, known as K-Cups. The Starbucks K-Cups will allow consumers to make their own favorite drinks at home.

CiCi’s Pizza is starting a new marketing campaign, known as the Endless Value Dinner Campaign, to spread consumer awareness of their $4.99 all day pizza and pasta buffet.  CiCi’s hopes that by highlighting their low price and wide selection of family friendly foods that new diners will try the restaurant chain.

Kenny Chesney’s new “Goin’ Coastal” tour will be accompanied by Hooter’s. Hooter’s plans to have Chesney related giveaways in many stores, and a text-to-win contest for a trip to the tour’s final show. The tour’s coastal theme fits the beach style of the Hooter’s restaurant chain. Happy Hour events will take place at the stadium stops of the tour that will allow concert goers to take part in the Hooter’s experience.

Fazoli’s recovered from their recent slump due to a new and innovative CEO, Carl Howard. The Lexington, Kentucky based brand is seeing returns of growth despite the death of many similar chains. Employees will once again bring out complementary freshly baked bread sticks to diners and new dishes are in development to keep the chain growing. A higher quality menu and renovated restaurants are what allowed the chain to finally open new stores after closures three years ago.

The 2011 International Pizza Challenge at the Pizza Expo, with over 1,000 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees, was highlighted by the success of Cloverleaf Pizza. Reaching the finals in both the traditional and non-traditional categories, the pizza restaurant is led by head chef Shawn Randazzo. Cloverleaf Pizza makes Detroit style pizza, a method pioneered by Gus Guerra in the 1940s.

The frozen yogurt chain Yogurtini, based in Arizona, has announced plans to expand into Kansas. The chain offers non-fat yogurt by the ounce, with toppings bars that allow patrons to create their own frozen yogurt concoctions. Each restaurant features a rotating menu of 16 yogurt flavors and 75 different topping choices. The company currently operates 25 locations.

Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila is offering all customers a 50% discount on entrees to celebrate Spring Break. A coupon is available on their website that must be printed and presented at purchase to receive the discount. The restaurant is located in downtown Brea, California.

Hooters has partnered with country superstar Kenny Chesney during his highly anticipated Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour 2011 kicking off March 17th in West Palm Beach, FL.  In addition to having a presence at the concerts, Hooters has also been named the “Official Happy Hour” of the tour.  As the pre-concert destination, Hooters customers will have an opportunity to win exclusive Chesney autographed memorabilia, swag and concert tickets at Hooters locations in select markets.  

In conjunction with the partnership, Hooters is also launching a national Happy Hour promotion inclusive of local specials, in-store marketing collateral featuring Kenny Chesney, and running a text-to-win contest giving customers a chance to win a HOOTERS VIP Fan Flyaway to his final Gillette Stadium Show in Foxboro, MA on August 28.  Beginning in April, stores will also be giving away a limited edition Hooters Kenny Chesney CD.

“Since the opening of the first Hooters in Clearwater, Florida in 1983 we have always considered ourselves a casual “beach theme” restaurant,” said Mike McNeil the Vice President of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC. “Kenny’s casual style, kick-back in the sand attitude and laid back lyrics are a perfect fit for our demographic. We have embraced this tour because at Hooters we’ve been “going coastal” for 28 years.”

Using social media, local radio and Kenny’s own No Shoes Radio online radio station, Hooters will target country music fans to promote the 50 Hooters Happy Hour events this summer.  The first event will kick off in West Palm on March 16th from 4 – 6 PM, the day before the tour launches, at the Hooters location at 2020 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.  Other mega events are planned in stadium markets such as Tampa, Dallas, Washington DC, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Detroit and Foxboro, Massachusetts.  More information and a list of upcoming Hooters Happy Hour events can be found at www.Hooters.com or www.NoShoesradio.com.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  

Kenny Chesney—who has sold over 30 million albums to date and is a four-time Country Music Association and four-in-a-row-Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year recipient—had another landmark year in 2010.  This year looks to be even better for the superstar, who stands as the only artist in any genre to sell one million concert tickets for eight consecutive summers.  

In 2010, Hemingway’s Whiskey became Chesney’s sixth album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and it yielded his twentieth and twenty-first Number One Country Singles, “The Boys of Fall” and “Somewhere With You.” Chesney released his live concert film “Kenny Chesney: Summer In 3D,” as well as the “Boys of Fall,” his 90-minute ESPN documentary about the lifelong positive impact high school football has on players.

Chesney will launch his Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal” Tour, his biggest tour in five years on March 17 in West Palm Beach, FL. The nearly 60-date North American tour includes eleven shows at NFL stadiums.  Chesney set the records for most sold-out shows ever by an artist at two stadiums: Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., where tickets for his sixth sold-out show were gone in just eight minutes, and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field stadium, where Chesney will take the stage for his fourth sold-out performance.  Chesney also debuted his new documentary, “The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story” for ESPN’s The Year of The Quarterback series.

Allows bars and restaurants to run their own live trivia nights any night of the week

CARLSBAD, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, Nev.  (RestaurantNews.com)  NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN), a leading social entertainment and integrated marketing platform for bars and restaurants, announced the launch of Hosted Trivia, a new service designed to help its customers make any night a big event.  Buzztime Hosted Trivia is a unique bar trivia tool for restaurant and bar operators to keep guests in their seats, attract new consumers and bring in patrons on non-peak business nights, typically a Tuesday or a Wednesday evening. 

Hosted Trivia, a subscription-based platform, is part of Buzztime’s portfolio of trivia and entertainment products and is available to all Buzztime customers in the company’s vast network of bars and restaurants.  With this new product, trivia hosts and emcees focus on the fun and enjoyment of the crowd, while leaving the work to Buzztime. Game action and pace is controlled through rounds of 30- and 60- question Buzztime Trivia games created specifically for “live” environments and crowds.  Hosts will no longer have to read questions to the participants and then reveal the answers all at once; Buzztime Hosted Trivia displays the questions and answers throughout the game on the establishment’s television screens –  significantly improving the bar entertainment experience, and freeing up hosts to engage with players.

Hooters of Costa Mesa, CA was hosting live Tuesday night trivia, but it wasn’t particularly easy – until they began using Buzztime Hosted Trivia. With Buzztime replacing Hooters old “paper-and-pen” method, the restaurant now runs weekly live trivia nights more effectively. Buzztime delivers the questions and results tracking on screen, so Hooters can better leverage their best brand asset —the Hooters Girls. Hooters of Costa Mesa General Manager Laura Acton stated, “Easy to use, Buzztime Live Trivia is refreshingly modern and operates much smoother than our previous live trivia event!”

In fact, Hooters of Costa Mesa developed a sure fire way to keep guests in their seats during their weekly, two hour live trivia events. To win the “Wing Party,” Hosted Trivia participants have to play until the end of the game, which gets them to stay at Hooters longer and order more food and drinks. Of note, according to Laura Acton, General Manager, Hooters Costa Mesa, “Guests who play Buzztime Hosted Trivia spend nearly $5 more, increasing our check averages by $20 as most players compete in groups of four or more.”

“Live Trivia Nights are great instruments for our bar and restaurant partners to increase traffic and sales and turn a slow night into an event typical of a Friday or Saturday evening,” noted Michael J. Bush, President and CEO of NTN Buzztime, Inc.  “In fact, according to an Arbitron study, Buzztime players visit their favorite establishments eight times per month, on average, which is twice more than they visit other locations. They also stay nearly 30 minutes longer than non-playing customers.”

Hosted Trivia provides locations the ability to control the pace of Buzztime Trivia games and allows the host, which could be a current staff member, to act as an emcee – interjecting humor, sarcasm and personality to each game.  The host or emcee is able to move at the desired pace, from question to answer to the next question, through a keystroke on the Buzztime Playmaker® with leaderboards displayed every five questions so the guests know who’s currently winning the game.

Buzztime employs its network of approximately 3,900 bars and restaurants to strategically reach targeted audiences in a unique way. Additionally, Buzztime engages more than 1,500,000 players who participate in over 50,000,000 bar trivia, cards and sports games each year on its network.

Buzztime provides clients with branded sports and interactive bar games that align with the brands’ marketing campaigns; live hosted trivia tournaments throughout the United States; and direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives through Buzztime’s social networking and e-mail marketing campaigns.

About Buzztime

NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN) is a leading bar and restaurant social entertainment and integrated marketing platform. Trusted by approximately 3,900 and restaurants in North America since 1985, Buzztime integrates trivia, card and sports games with in- and out-of-venue messaging and communication tools.  With over 1,500,000 registered consumers and more than 50,000,000 games played each year, Buzztime players spread the word and invite friends and family to their favorite Buzztime location to enjoy an evening of fun and competition.   With Buzztime entertainment and marketing solutions, bars and restaurants attract new customers, turn casual visitors into regulars, and give guests a reason to stay longer.  For the most up-to-date information on NTN Buzztime, please visit www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views of future events and operations, including but not limited to statements about company expertise, development, improvement of content and programming, player experience, increases in revenue and visits, added value and number of locations, players and games. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include the risks of adverse economic conditions, failure of customer and/or player demand, lower market acceptance or appeal of both existing and new products and services by particular demographic groups or audiences as a whole, termination of partnership and contractual relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing and technical problems or outages. Please see NTN Buzztime, Inc.’s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks that may affect the Company. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements speak only as of the date hereof, and NTN Buzztime, Inc. does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

Media Contact:
Don Williams
Williams Group Public Relations
760-707-4589
don@williamsgrouppr.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Kendra Berger
Chief Financial Officer
NTN Buzztime, Inc.
760-438-7400

Today, Hooters rolls out a new seasonal menu featuring Smoked Wings, Daytona Style Shrimp, a Sloppy Joe Sandwich and a Blackened Mahi Sandwich.  The limited time offer menu will roll out in Hooters locations across the country beginning February 21st.

“With this spring menu, we are not only introducing a new and unique wing flavor with the Smoked Wings, but have included one of America’s favorite comfort foods as well, the Sloppy Joe Sandwich,” stated Scott Kinsey, Director of Research and Development for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”These new menu options coupled with 2 of our top seafood items add a nice variety that align with the season.”

The limited time offer menu will run for 6 weeks in conjunction with basketball season and Lent. Featuring basketball analyst and Hooters long-time spokesperson Dick Vitale, this spring-time menu traditionally offers many seafood items to cater to customers that observe Lent.  

The menu includes Smoked Wings, 10 wings Hickory Smoked to perfection and tossed in Daytona or BBQ Sauce and served with ranch or bleu cheese dressing; Sloppy Joe, an old-time favorite sandwich served with Onion Rings; Blackened Mahi Sandwich, a blackened mahi filet served on a ciabatta roll and Daytona Shrimp, fried shrimp smothered in Hooters Daytona Sauce and finished off on the grill.

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

This Valentine’s Day Hooters is enticing customers to “forget the ring, and bring her in for wings” with a buy 10 get 10 wings for free offer.  All day on Monday, February 14th all guests who dine in at Hooters can take advantage of this value on boneless and traditional wings.

“Just because we don’t have a violin player and overpriced wine, does not mean Hooters isn’t a great place for Valentine’s Day,” said Mike McNeil, the Vice Prescient of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”Valentine’s day is about love, and what is not to love about free Hooters wings.”

This is the first of many holiday deals that Hooters will be offering throughout the year nationwide.   

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

Where’s the beef?  Well starting Monday, February 7th it’s at Hooters.  The new “Burger Mondays” menu will launch consisting of 5 specialty burger options, coupled with fries, starting at $5.99.  The Burger Mondays menu will be offered in Hooters locations around the country all day, every Monday.

The new menu includes the following half-pound burgers served with fries: More than a Mouthful Cheeseburger, served with choice of cheese; $6.99 Bleu Cheese Burger, topped with Bleu cheese crumbles; $6.99 Nacho Ordinary Burger, topped with chili, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream; $6.99 Western Burger, topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and crispy onion tanglers; $9.99 Double “D” Burger, two half-pound burgers served with choice of cheese; and a Mushroom Swiss Burger, topped with sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese offered at $6.99.  

Burger Mondays will replace the More Than a Mouthful Monday’s promotion that ran in 2010.  The new program offers customers a larger variety of burger items at a value and amps up an already successful program.  

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

In preparation for this Sunday, February 6th, Hooters locations across the country are getting ready for customers to consume over 2 Million Hooters Hot Wings during the Big Game.

Wings are the number 1 item on the menu during a typical week at Hooters.  If history holds true, this Sunday will be the highest sales day for Hooters, To-Go and from customers catching the game from the 450 restaurants around the world.

“Every survey you see says wings are one of the most popular staples for any Super Sunday diet,” said Mike McNeil, the VP of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”We love it because our stores are full and wings are flying out the door.”

Guests are also invited to their favorite Hooters restaurant to watch the game this Sunday and enter for a chance to drive home with a brand new TV.  One lucky football fan in each of their 380 U.S. restaurants will be going home with a 42″ HDTV the night of the Big Game. This is the 5th year that Hooters has run this annual promotion.  

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

On Sunday, February 6^th Hooters is giving customers a chance to win big. One lucky football fan in each of their 380 U.S. restaurants will be going home with a 42″ HDTV the night of the Big Game. This is the 5^th year that Hooters has run this annual promotion. 

Sports fans who catch the Big Game at their local Hooters can enter for a chance to take home a brand new TV.

“The annual TV Giveaway is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Alexis Aleshire, public relations manager for Hooters. “Not only do our customers get to enjoy our signature Hooters’ hot wings during the Playoff games, but 380 of them will win a new TV on February 6th. That’s something to cheer about, no matter which team you’re rooting for.”

The 460 Hooters restaurants worldwide are known for their brand of food and fun. The world-famous Hooters Girls All-American cheerleaders serve up a menu of seafood, sandwiches and, of course, chicken wings that help make the restaurants neighborhood hotspots for anyone looking for a fun, action-packed place to enjoy the Playoffs and the Big Game itself.

“Our TV Giveaway event adds more excitement to an already action packed day,” said Aleshire. “Whether or not ‘your’ team wins, all of our customers have a chance to be winners on February 6th.”

For more information on Hooters or on the big TV Giveaway, please visit www.Hooters.com.

Today, Hooters of America, Inc. “HOA” announced the completion of a transaction which transfers ownership of the company from the estate of Robert H. Brooks who passed in 2006 into the hands of a consortium of private investors, including Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCLR) “Chanticleer”.  Simultaneous with this transaction the investor group will also acquire Texas Wings, Inc., the largest franchisee of HOA.  The two businesses will come together to strengthen the Hooters brand worldwide.  Today’s transaction brings to an end nearly three decades of Brooks’ family ownership of the franchisor of the world-famous Hooters restaurants.  Brooks was known in part for his colorful and often unorthodox expansion of Hooters into ventures such as an airline and NASCAR racing.  However, Brooks is best known for his leadership and oversight of the dramatic growth of the Hooters concept.  A fledging concept with only two locations in 1984 when Brooks acquired it, the Hooters brand has grown into a successful chain of 452 restaurants in 44 states and 29 countries.

“I am so extremely proud of what my father and our team here have built,” stated Coby Brooks, President and CEO of the company since 2003 and the son of the late founder, “and I am even more excited about our next phase of growth following this transaction.”

“My father built a great company.  He was a visionary filled with a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit.  However, he was often limited by a lack of financial resources.  Since his passing the requirements of his estate have limited us even further. While it is bittersweet to see the end of my family’s ownership of the company, I know this new investment will put us in a position to grow rapidly and fully realize the potential of the Hooters brand.”

The combination of 120 restaurants from HOA and 41 restaurants from Texas Wings will create a formidable operating company boasting 161 company-owned locations across sixteen states, or nearly half of all domestic Hooters restaurants and over one-third of the locations worldwide.  The Texas Wings stores which are among the highest volume in the country will add financial strength and additional operational excellence to the company.  ”I am very pleased to join forces with Texas,” continued Brooks.  ”Kelly Hall, the majority owner of Texas Wings, which is our largest and among our best franchisees, will bring considerable knowledge and passion to HOA.”  Hall will have a significant commitment in HOA and will serve on the company’s board.

Chanticleer, a Hooters franchisee in South Africa, has long recognized and appreciated the tremendous value of Hooters.  This passion and knowledge of the brand enabled Chanticleer and its investors to win out in what was a competitive market process for the prized Hooters brand.  ”I am pleased to finally complete this transaction and fulfill the vision I discussed many times with Mr. Brooks,” stated Mike Pruitt, President and CEO of Chanticleer.  ”It was his desire to see his family’s interest protected and to see Hooters put on sound financial footings. The management team has done an amazing job of building the company and the brand despite limited resources. It will be rewarding to help carry that dream further now that the company will have the necessary resources to grow.” Chanticleer and its limited partners will be equity holders and Pruitt will sit on the board.  

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

Hooters of Hattiesburg, MS will open its doors to the public at 11 AM on December 10th, followed by a ribbon cutting celebration on Monday, December 13th.  The store has partnered with Toys for Tots during the opening weekend, offering guests who support the cause with a toy donation a free order of Hooters loaded Tater Tots (Lots-A-Tots).  Located at 101 Carlisle Street off Hardy and 1-59, the Hooters of Hattiesburg is the 5th Hooters location in Mississippi and 1st in the area.  

At 10:00 AM on December 13th Hattiesburg Hooters will host a ribbon cutting celebration with the Chamber of Commerce and will be donating all the toys collected over the weekend to the Toys for Tots organization.

“We are excited to bring the Hooters concept of food and fun to Hattiesburg,” stated Tory Bartlett, Vice President of Franchise Operations for Hooters of America.  ”The store is in an excellent location and has many upgraded features that the residents will enjoy.”

The new 5200 square foot location comes equipped with 30 high-definition televisions,  7 booths with personal TVs, free WiFi, seating that can accommodate 200 customers as well as a full liquor bar and an outdoor patio. The Hooters of Hattiesburg can be reached at 601-268-6600.

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 460 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 30 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters of www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

After the October purchase of Burger King restaurants by 3G capital, the industry was abuzz with rumors of slashing costs in order for an easy flip of the business.  So far, the speculation seems to be holding true.  After a surgical removal of seven top-level executives in October, 3G Capital announced a much larger round of downsizing on Monday.  On Monday, the new owners of Burger King announced the dismissal of 413 employees from across the company, including 261 employees in South Florida.  Many of the dismissals in Florida worked at the company’s Miami-based headquarters.  Before the cuts, it was thought that 500 to 700 people were employed at the facility.  3G has said that even though they have reduced the workforce, they do not intend to move the Burger King headquarters out of Miami.

The battle over the sale of Hooters of America, Inc. took another turn last Thursday when a Horry County judge approved the sale of the company to Wellspring Capital Management.  As part of a previous loan, Chanticleer Investors LLC was given right of first refusal over any sale of the company.  It appears Chanticleer will attempt to block the sale of the company to Wellspring.  The battle began after Hooters founder Robert Brooks died in 2006 and divided ownership of the company between his son and daughter.  Brooks’ second wife refused the terms of his will as written and the legal battles have been ongoing since.

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Wingstop has announced a franchise incentive program aimed at increasing the number of multi-unit franchisees.  The new incentive program will run through April 1, 2011 and offer qualified candidates the opportunity to become a part of the Wingstop brand for reduced franchise and royalty fees.  The program is part of the company’s aggressive expansion campaign after a banner year in 2010.

Superior, Wisconsin City Councilor Greg Metzig is planning to introduce a city ordinance that would follow in the footsteps of the recent San Francisco ban on toys in fast food meals that do not meet certain requirements.  In order for toys to be included, the meals would have to be less than 600 calories with no more than 10% of calories coming from fat as well as meeting other nutritional guidelines.  Metzig says he drafted the measure after a number of citizens asked him to do something to promote the health of Superior residents.  The measure is expected to undergo a preliminary vote next Tuesday.

In the midst of the recession, restaurants around the country have turned to technology to help keep the doors open.  Aside from the usual suspects like Facebook and Twitter, a number of restaurants around the country are beginning to use daily deal websites like Groupon, which leverage the power of social media to promote one special deal each day.  When a deal is posted, a specified number of coupons have to be sold in order for anyone to get the discount.  The group buying system encourages buyers to spread the word to friends, family, and strangers to ensure enough of the deals are purchased for the coupons to be valid.  People love it because they get amazing discounts, and restaurants love it because they do not pay a dime if the required number of deals are not sold.

OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC has announced the return of volunteers from a successful Operation Feeding Freedom VIII trip.  Operation Feeding Freedom is part of OSI’s continued effort to support American and Coalition troops stationed away from home.  The latest incarnation of the event marked the eighth time that OSI has sent volunteers overseas to give troops a taste of home cooking.  To date, the company, which operates Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, and a number of other restaurants, has served meals to more than 167,000 troops stationed at various locations around the globe.

Brinker International, Inc. announced that Ian Baines has been named Senior Vice President of Strategic Innovation for Brinker and Chili’s Grill & Bar.  Additionally, the company announced that Carin Stutz has been named President of Brinker’s Global Business Development.  In his return to the company Baines will oversee future kitchen and culinary innovation as well as head the company’s plans to remodel more than 800 company-owned Chili’s locations.  Stutz will oversee all business decisions and restaurant operations for the company’s international locations as well as developments for Brinker’s international goals moving forward.

Smashburger is partnering with 25/20 Management to bring the acclaimed burger joint to Brooklyn in 2011.  25/20 is slated to open three locations in Brooklyn, all featuring menu items designed to appeal to the unique palates of New Yorkers.  The expansion into Brooklyn is part of Smashburger’s larger plan of targeted growth in New York City.  The restaurant currently has franchise agreements in place for 20 locations in Long Island and continues to seek partners in the New York City area for additional locations.

Since the 2008 opening of their first restaurant, Bullritos has become a local favorite.  On November 29, Bullritos opened their tenth store.  To celebrate the new Houston location, the restaurant gave away free tacos for a year to the first 50 qualified guests in line.  The opening was so popular that guests stood in line for the Monday morning grand opening starting on Sunday night.

Johnny Rockets, Home of the Original Hamburger, celebrated the opening of its new location in Quezon City on November 12.  The location is the second Johnny Rockets in the Philippines and officially opened on October 10.  Since opening their first Philippines location in August of 2009, Johnny Rockets has quickly become a favorite in the country’s most populous city.  In keeping with Philippine tradition, rice is served as a side dish alongside meals.

An Horry County judge approved the sale of Hooters at a hearing Thursday, but a legal battle is brewing between two companies seeking to buy the international restaurant chain best known for its “Hooters Girls” waitresses.

Chanticleer Investors LLC is trying to exercise a right to block the sale of Hooters of America Inc. to Wellspring Capital Management. Hooters granted Chanticleer “the right of first refusal” in a previous loan agreement that would give it precedence over any other bidder seeking to buy the company.

A sale to either company is expected to close before Dec. 31, said Jim Creel, one of the estate’s five executors, during his testimony.

Continue reading . . .

A woman claiming she was attacked by a security guard at a south suburban Hooters restaurant after disputing her bill filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the restaurant chain.

Livier Torres claims a Hooters security guard attacked her Jan. 10 inside a restaurant on the 9100 block of South Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn after she disputed charges on her bill, according to a suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

The suit claims Torres asked a waitress to see a manager about charges on her bill, but instead security guard Joseph Schmidt approached and “took up an intimidating position.”

Continue reading . . .

Applebee’s is celebrating Veteran’s Day by offering a free meal to all veterans on Thursday, November 11.  Last year the special event served free meals to more than 1 million veterans, this years is expected be even larger.  The free meals are available between 11 a.m. and midnight.  Veterans must have ID verifying veteran or active military status for redemption.

The first Hooters in Japan will open on October 25.  The new restaurant marks the 30^th international country where a Hooters restaurant can be found.  There are now 470 Hooters locations around the world.  There will be a VIP party hosted at the newest location on October 23.

Carl’s Jr. announced a new menu item to their lineup.  The restaurant will begin offering customers hand-breaded chicken tenders comparable to those served at a sit-down restaurant.  The meal will come in three and five piece options.  3-piece meals will sell for $2.99 and 5-piece meals for $4.49.  The chicken strips will also be available in combo and kids meals.

Dunkin’ Donuts announced it has renewed their sponsorship agreement with the Boston Celtics.  The company’s new agreement runs through the 2012-13 NBA season and allows Dunkin’ Donuts to use team marks and logos in advertising and merchandise.  The two sides said they would focus on community while working together.

A McDonald’s in Rotterdam is using the latest in technology to curb theft.  The restaurant is using a device that sprays would be thieves with non-human DNA.  The spray is not harmful or noticeable except under UV lights, and allows police to identify the culprits easily. 

IHOP held its annual Franchise Conference honoring franchisees, vendors and other team members.  IHOP reviewed the success of the previous year and set forth their strategic plan for the company in 2011.  The company also announced that Mike Szawielenko was the winner of the Franchisee of the Year award.

A Cleveland couple is suing Steak ‘n Shake, the waiter, and nearly everyone else associated with the Ohio restaurant that they say landed their child in the hospital.  The couple said they ate at the restaurant in October 2009 when a waiter tricked their child into using hot sauce so hot it was recommended it be diluted prior to use.  The couple’s child needed to be treated for various symptoms after having a severe reaction to the hot sauce.

Bojangles’ Famous Chicken n’ Biscuits announced that for a limited time guests will get two Boo-Berry Biscuits for just 99 cents.  The Boo-Berry is the same biscuits as the Bojangles’ classic BoBerry biscuit, with the only difference being the price.   The offer is valid through October 31.

Spicy Pickle Franchising, Inc. announced the third location of the franchise in Houston, TX.  The new store was opened by a current and local franchisee.  It will be located near the Rice University campus and office buildings.

The first Hooters location in the “land of the rising sun” will open on October 25th.  The Hooters of Tokyo, Japan marks the 30th international country and 470th Hooters location where guests can enjoy Hooters nearly-world famous wings.  The store will host a VIP Party on October 23rd.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to open a Hooters in Japan,” stated Hooters Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations, John Weber.  ”The combination of population density, economic strength and demand for iconic American culture makes us believe this will be the first of many successful locations in the country.”  

Located in the Akasaka district near the Emperor’s Palace, the Hooters of Tokyo boasts the same beach-themed atmosphere, menu items and iconic Hooters Girls that you can find in America and around the world.  The location can accommodate over 150 guests, features 11 TVs, a full liquor bar and has employed 90 residents as managers, cooks, staff and Hooters Girls.

There are 11 additional Hooters restaurants scheduled to open by the end of this year, including 7 international locations in Germany, Wales, Ecuador and Spain.

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 470 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 30 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.