Essential news from around the world…
More losses for McDonald’s
Fast food giant McDonald’s has reported continued falling sales in February. The company said that sales at its restaurants open for at least 13 months had fallen by 4.7% during the period. Total sales increased by 4% to $3.1b (£2m).
Turnover grows at Club Med
French leisure group Club Méditerranée has reported a 0.8% increase in turnover to €340m (£230m) in the three months to 31 January. The group added that trading had slowed in recent weeks because of fears about a war in Iraq.
Rezidor adds 36 new hotels
Belgium-based hospitality company Rezidor SAS added 36 new hotels to its portfolio in the 14 months to the end of February, taking its total to 142. The group opened 20 new Radisson SAS hotels, two Park Inns, 12 Country Inns and two Regent hotels.
Wyndham gets first Kentucky hotel
US-based hotel operator Wyndham International has won a contract to manage a soon-to-be-built hotel at Louisville International Airport in Kentucky. Plans for the hotel include more than 12,000sq ft of meeting space, a restaurant, business centre, fitness centre and 225 bedrooms, with the possibility to expand to 350 bedrooms at a later date. The hotel, Wyndham’s first in Kentucky, is scheduled to open in summer 2005.
Krispy Kreme licks its fingers after profits rise
Doughnut and coffee shop company Krispy Kreme has reported a 19.7% increase in turnover to $491m (£312m) in the 12 months to 2 February. Net profits increased by 15.5% to $33.5m (£21m). The company opened 63 stores during the period, taking its total to 276.
Hong Kong to get new five-star hotel
Langham Hotels International is opening a new five-star, 700-bedroom hotel in Mongkok, Hong Kong. The Langham Place hotel opens on 1 July 2003.
US Airways to test inflight meals
Customers travelling in economy class on several internal non-stop flights in the USA will be able to buy onboard deli-style meals from today as part of a two-week test US Airways is doing with LSG Sky Chefs. A meal service is not usually offered on the flights.