Essential news from around the world…
Rainforest takeover
Rainforest Café, the USA-based themed restaurant operator, is being taken over. Landry’s Seafood Restaurants, which runs a chain of over 150 casual dining-restaurants, will pay $125m for the 38-strong group.
NRA launches new drive
The USA's National Restaurant Association has launched the Cornerstone Initiative, a publicity scheme aimed at boosting the industry's image.
BK and Tricon bail out supplier
Burger King and Tricon Global Restaurants in the USA have stepped in with funding to keep one of their major suppliers afloat. AmeriServe Food Distribution, whose major clients include Tricon's Pizza Hut and KFC chains as well as Arby's and Applebee's, last week filed for Chapter 11 protection under US bankruptcy law.
Hilton in Moscow
Hilton International has signed a deal to manage a new five-star hotel in Moscow. The $58m, five-star Hilton Bolshoi Moscow is scheduled to open in spring 2001 with 218 bedrooms.
Sheraton poised for Kenya buy
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has refused to confirm or deny reports that its Sheraton subsidiary is in negotiations to buy five hotels owned by Lonrho in Kenya in a $50m deal.
McDonald’s death fine
McDonald’s has been fined £108,000 for breaching workplace safety regulations. Michael Ian Johnston, 19, was electrocuted while cleaning behind a grill in a McDonald’s restaurant in Wollongong, Australia, on 8 March, 1996. McDonald’s pleaded guilty
Choice Hotels expands in Copenhagen
Choice Hotels has signed a 20-year deal with Danish investment company Investorpartner to manage the 133-bedroom Clarion Hotel Neptun and the 117-bedroom Comfort Hotel Esplanaden, both in Copenhagen..