After 20 Years, The New Miami Subs Grill Franchise Returns to the Magic City

After 20 Years, The New Miami Subs Grill Franchise Returns to the Magic City
Three New Restaurants Planned to Open in 2012/2013 Season; Many New Miami Locations in Development

Putting The 'Magic' Back In Miami Subs

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Restaurant News Release) After more than 20 years, Florida’s largest regional sub and grill chain, The New Miami Subs Grill, announces a return to Miami’s Magic City. Three new restaurant franchises: Miami Springs, Miami and South Beach will open in 2012-2013 and will each reflect the new modernized look and feel to come for the iconic franchise chain. The first of the new restaurants will open at South Royal Poinciana Blvd in Miami Springs, FL in mid-November.
Veteran Miami Subs franchisee John Nakis will open The New Miami Subs Grill in Miami Springs. Representing the next generation of the brand, Miami Springs’ location will offer hip and modernized interiors, 24-hour service, a breakfast menu and the reintroduction of beer and champagne, which were original mainstays at the successful franchise operation. Miami Subs in Miami Springs will be a measure of the upcoming facelift to expect from the iconic franchise chain which is currently undergoing significant brand development to ready for domestic and worldwide expansion.
Nakis, a successful businessman, has been with Miami Subs since its beginnings, opening his first restaurant in 1992, and three more locations in Dade county and Tallahassee. Though he left the franchise after a change in ownership in 1999, Nakis continued to follow the brand’s movement. Nakis explains his decision to return to the franchise and join the brand’s revival movement came after the introduction of the new ownership and an appointed management team by CEO Richard Chwatt in 2010.
“I am excited to see the changes taking shape at Miami Subs. The evolution of the brand is readily apparent through recent new menu introductions and renovations. Now that international music sensation Pitbull is involved with the brand, there are definitely some exciting new changes to come,” says Nakis.
The announcement marks a momentous achievement for Miami Subs. “John was one of our best franchisees,” explains CEO Richard Chwatt. “We are elated to welcome him back on board and find it very fitting that he be the one leading the new expansion into Miami.”
The New Miami Subs Grill franchise chain has been on an uptick since Chwatt’s new ownership and appointed management team took effect in 2010. Achieving record-breaking sales comparisons store by store, year over year, for 72 out of 74 weeks respectively, Chwatt attributes this to the franchise’s focus on revitalizing the brand through renovation, relocation and a commitment to downsizing existing locations that simply don’t fall in line with projected growth plans.
Recently, the Fort Lauderdale-based chain announced aggressive expansion efforts in Latin America for 2012 and 2013, as well as an equity partnership with Armando Christian Perez, the international music sensation also known as “Pitbull.”
The company requests that the public stay tuned as more upcoming locations are announced.
For Miami Subs Grill franchise information, please visit: http://miamisubs.com/become-a-franchise-owner.
About Miami Subs
The New Miami Subs Grill, a South Florida company, has been serving great food for over 20 years with the first true Miami Subs restaurant opening in 1988. The iconic franchise chain beloved by fans worldwide, has grown to become Florida’s largest regional sub and grill chain featuring world famous Philly cheesesteaks, wings, gyros and fresh Angus Steak burgers. Delivery, beer, wine and breakfast available in select locations. Miami Subs currently has locations in Florida and South Carolina, with four locations slated to begin opening in Guyana at the end of 2012. The South Florida staple is in growth mode and in the midst of aggressive expansion efforts, both domestically and abroad. For franchising and other information, visit www.miamisubs.com or follow @MiamiSubs on Twitter and Facebook at www.facebook.com/miamisubsgrill.
For more information on Miami Subs Grill, a full list of locations and menu, please visit www.miamisubs.com. To schedule a media interview, please contact msoudry@thegabgroup.com.

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Dine About Town San Francisco returns for the 12th year January 15 – 31, 2013

 

September 25, 2012 – Dine About Town San Francisco returns for the 12th year January 15 – 31, 2013, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience San Francisco’s finest restaurants at a fraction of the price. Diners may select from more than 100 participating restaurants offering a two-course lunch menu for $18.95 and/or a three-course dinner menu for $36.95. This pricing can represent up to a 25 percent savings off regularly priced a la carte items.

American Express® is the preferred method of payment for Dine About Town, and Cardmembers will earn $20 back when they dine three or more times during Dine About Town at participating restaurants and pay with any American Express® Card. Cardmembers must register their cards to participate. More information can be found on the San Francisco Travel website www.dineabouttown.com

The complete restaurant list of restaurants participating in Dine About Town San Francisco will be available after Dec. 15 on San Francisco’s official visitor website, www.dineabouttown.com.

Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. A la carte menus will also be available. Reservations are encouraged and may be made online at dineabouttown.com through a partnership with Open Table. Information is also available by calling 415-391-2000.

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, packages, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-391-2000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.

For an insider’s perspective, join more than 480,000 people who follow San Francisco Travel on Facebook at www.facebook.com/onlyinsf. Follow “OnlyinSF” on Twitter at http://twitter.com/onlyinsf.

American Express® is the official Card partner for the San Francisco Travel Association.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 31 international points and over 69 non-stop cities in the U.S. For up-to-the-minute information on the Bay Area's largest airport, visit www.flysfo.com

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Contatherklots@zagat.com
212-404-6416

Nicholas Sampogna
nsampogna@zagat.com
212-404-6417

 

 

Zagat Releases Paris Restaurants Guide

Winners: Taillevent (Food, Service), Cristal Room (Decor) and Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Popularity)
PARIS, May 22, 2012 – This morning Zagat released its 2012/13 Paris Restaurants Guide, in French and English editions, covering 714 eateries in the Paris area. The results are based on the shared input of 8,015 avid diners, curated by Zagat’s editors.
Report Card: According to the Survey, Parisians eat out 3 times per week, which is more than diners in London (2.4), but trailing those in Tokyo (4.0). When asked about their dining out habits, 21% of surveyors report dining out less than last year, vs. 17% who say more. As for the cost of dining, Paris continues to be one of the world’s most expensive cities with the average meal costing 61.64€. That is more than London at 51.89€ and nearly double New York City at 32.76€. Of the many cities surveyed by Zagat, only Tokyo at 83.54€ is more expensive than Paris.
Winners: This year’s top tickets include Chef Alain Solivérès’ “sublime” haute cuisine at Taillevent (winner for Food and Service), Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which was named Most Popular by surveyors, and the “striking” scene at Cristal Room (decor winner). The full list of winners follow:
Food
1) Taillevent
2) Pierre Gagnaire
3) Guy Savoy
4) Grand Véfour
5) Le Cinq
Decor
1) Cristal Room
2) Le Cinq
3) Grand Véfour
4) Taillevent
5) Le Meurice
Service
1) Taillevent
2) Epicure
3) Le Meurice
4) Le Cinq
5) Ambassadeurs
Popularity
1) Atelier Joël Robuchon
2) Taillevent
3) Guy Savoy
4) Jules Verne
5) Alain Ducasse
Newcomer
1) Septime
2) Agape Substance
3) Auberge du 15
4) Abeille
5) Akrame
Best Buy
1) As du Fallafel
2) Higuma
3) Chartier
4) Al Taglio
5) Baron Rouge
Bistro (Traditional)
1) Quincy
2) Chez L’Ami Jean
3) Violon d’Ingres
4) Petit Pontoise
5) Régalade
Brasserie
1) Comptoir/Relais
2) Relais Plaza
3) Dressirier
4) Chez Les Anges
5) Pétrus
Hot Spots: Besides this year’s top newcomer, Septime, a modest bistro in the 11th, crowds are also flocking to Saint-Germain’s Agapé Substance to sample New French tapas, the high-end Cantonese Shang Palace, the Left Bank’s L’Affable and hipster bistro Chatomat. Romain Tischenko, winner of the Franco-Belgian Top Chef, has opened Le Galopin, a bistro in the 2nd.
Uncorked: Across the city, wine bars are popping up, with standouts including Au Passage and Le Dauphin in the 11th arrondissement as well as Albion and Vivant, which are creating a hopping scene in the 10th. Over in the 5th, Dans les Landes presents a ham-heavy menu of Southwestern tapas to accompany its wine bar and bistro atmosphere.
Mobile Phones: This year, 27% of surveyors admit to having a restaurant-related application on their smartphone, but 52% consider it “rude and inappropriate” for diners to talk, text, email or tweet at the table. In contrast, 83% say it’s acceptable for diners to photograph their food or dining companions.
Miscellaneous: When asked about what irritates the most when dining out, an overwhelming 76% cited Service, with Noise a distant second at 17%. Diners split over celebrity chefs, with 48% saying they are more likely to dine at a restaurant with a famous chef, while 49% say it has no effect.
Survey Details: The 2012/13 Paris Restaurants Survey ($15.95) was edited by Josh Rogers and Alexander Lobrano, with local coordination by Mary Deschamps. The content is available for purchase online at zagat.com and at major Paris bookstores. For news and updates, follow @Zagat on Twitter and add Zagat to your circles on Google+.
About Zagat Survey, LLC:
Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the "most up-to-date," "comprehensive" and "reliable" guide, published on all platforms. Zagat content is available to consumers wherever and whenever they need it: on zagat.com, on Zagat’s mobile applications and in book form. In September 2011, Zagat was acquired by Google Inc.
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Zagat Shows Optimistic Restaurant Outlook with Upbeat Consumer Opinions, Spending and Openings

CONTACTS:
PRCo
Anna Dickinson, adickinson@prco.com,
Beau Limbrick, blimbrick@prco.com,
Tel: 0207 259 1100

Zagat Shows Optimistic Restaurant Outlook with Upbeat Consumer Opinions, Spending and Openings

A RECORD 9,583 VOTERS ASSESS 1,995 CITY RESTAURANTS
THE CUMULATIVE RATINGS FOR LONDON'S CULINARY CREATIVITY AND DIVERSITY EASILY OUTPACE THE RATING FOR SERVICE
WINNERS: WOLSELEY – FAVOURITE; PITT CUE Co. – NEWCOMER; WATERSIDE INN RESTAURANT – FOOD; ROGANIC – SERVICE; SKETCH – THE LECTURE ROOM & LIBRARY – DECOR; MOOLI'S – BEST BUY
LONDON, Sept. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the world-renowned Zagat Survey released the results of its annual review of dining in the capital. With a record of 1,995 restaurants rated and reviewed by another record 9,583 surveyors, this is Zagat's most comprehensive survey of London's culinary scene*. Providing an unrivalled insight into London's dining scene, survey participants sampled 1.1 million meals out in the past year, i.e. nearly 3,000 meals a day. (*1,351 restaurants are in the 2013 Zagat print guide with the rest being added online.)
Recovery: Despite the general gloom and doom over the British economy, there are many signs that London's dining industry is recovering. First, 40% of local diners say the dining scene is better today than a year ago; only 3% say it's worse. Second, surveyors report spending more this year than last. Third, there has been a rise in restaurant openings this year and many of these newcomers such as Pitt Cue Co., Dabbous, Pizarro, Burger & Lobster and Cut at 45 Park Lane have achieved very high ratings in their first year. Finally, numerous sophisticated chefs and restaurateurs both from here and abroad have placed a vote of confidence in London's dining future by making investments in new restaurants, namely:
Italy's Bruno Barbieri's Cotidie; Chris Corbin and Jeremy King's Brasserie Zedel and The Delaunay; Australia's Bill Granger's Granger & Co.; Mark Hix's Hix Belgravia and Tramshed; Sweden's Mikael Jonsson's Hedone; Russell Norman's Mishkin's; Jamie Oliver's Union Jacks; Israel's Oded Oren's Kitchen 264 @ The Collection; Peru's Virgilio Martinez's Lima; the U.S.'s Wolfgang Puck's Cut at 45 Park Lane; Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen; Vivek Singh's Cinnamon Soho; and Arjun Waney's Aurelia.
However, Londoners are eating out only 2.2 times per week - well below the rates in New York, Paris and Tokyo, which run from 3 to 4 times a week.
And the Winners are: Zagat guides are famous for having myriad top lists. Following are abbreviated versions of the most important of these lists, with last year's ranking in brackets:
Favourites:
1. Wolseley (1)
2. Hakkasan (7)
3. Le Gavroche (9)
4. Ivy (5)
5. River Cafe (11)
6. Ledbury (10)
7. Gordon Ramsay/68 (2)
8. J. Sheekey (3)
9. Dinner by Heston (n/a)
10. Gordon Ramsay/Clar. (6)
Best Buys:
1. Mooli's (-)
2. Tortilla (-)
3. Chilango (1)
4. Food for Thought (6)
5. Bahn Mi Bay (-)
Top Rated Newcomers:
28 – Pitt Cue Co.
26 – Dabbous
25 – Pizarro
Burger & Lobster
Cut at 45 Park Ln.
Top Food:
1. Waterside Inn (6)
2. Dinings (3)
3. Le Gavroche (5)
4. Barrafina (48)
5. Roganic (-)
6. Petrus (-)
7. Ledbury (1)
8. Gordon Ramsay/68 (8)
9. Yashin Sushi (-)
10. Square (9)
Top Decor:
1. Sketch/Lecture Room (1)
2. Sketch/Parlour (5)
3. Waterside Inn (6)
4. Ritz (4)
5. Bob Bob Ricard (8)
Top Service:
1. Roganic (-)
2. Espelette (-)
3. Waterside Inn (1)
4. Le Gavroche (10)
5. Ledbury (2)
Top Spots by Cuisine:
American – Burger & Lobster
BBQ (Int'l) – Pitt Cue Co.
British (Modern) – Roganic
British (Traditional) – Wilton's
Chinese – Hunan
Chophouse – Hawksmoor
Eclectic – Viajante
European (Modern) – La Trompette
Fish 'n' Chips – North Sea
French (Bistro) – Brula
French (Brasserie) – Angelus
French (Classic) – Waterside Inn
French (New) – Petrus
Indian – Babur
Italian – River Cafe
Japanese – Dinings
Lebanese – Ishbilia
Mediterranean – French Table
Mexican – Tortilla
Pizza – Portobello Rist.
Seafood – Wilton's
Spanish – Barrafina
Thai – Pepper Tree
Vegetarian – Chutneys
A Few Major Improvements Deserve to be Noted: The Spanish restaurant Barrafina jumped from 48th place to number 4 for food this year while perennial favourite The Waterside Inn jumped from number 6 to number 1 for food. As overall favourites, Hakkasan, Le Gavroche, River Cafe and The Ledbury all moved up at the expense of Gordon Ramsay's two eponymous restaurants.
It's also worth noting that the following restaurants appear on these lists for the first time: Dinner by Heston (No. 9 for Favourites); Roganic (No. 5 for Food, No. 1 for Service), Espelette (No. 2 for Service), Yashin Sushi (No. 9 for Food), plus Mooli's, Tortilla and Bahn Mi Bay (all Best Buys).
Green and Healthy Dining: The trends toward locally sourced, organic and sustainably raised food continues to dominate diners' behaviour with 73% saying these issues are "important" to their choice of restaurant and 56% saying they're even willing "to pay more" to have such ingredients.
In other news, London surveyors were asked if they thought that restaurants should be required to post results of food hygiene inspections in their windows. Tim Zagat, co-Chair of Zagat stated, "A staggering 71% of surveyors said that restaurants should be required to post the results of food hygiene inspections in their windows. These two survey results send a clear message to the industry that Londoners are placing ever more importance on the sources of their food and hygiene standards."
Hospitality: With restaurants increasingly eschewing reservations for a first come first served policy, 61% of London diners state that they are not willing to wait any longer than 30 minutes for a table. However, once seated, these diners continue to bemoan restaurant service with 73% naming it as their top dining complaint. This is reflected in the lower overall results for London restaurants with 14 for hospitality and 13 for table availability on the signature Zagat 30 point scale as opposed to overall ratings of 25 and 22 for culinary diversity and creativity, respectively. "London consistently amazes us with the increased creativity and diversity of its restaurants. The one thing that needs more attention is how to improve service," said Nina Zagat, co-Chair of Zagat.
Diners' Tastes: When it comes to what Londoners want to eat, the flavour of the year is Italian cuisine (25%) followed by French (17%) and Japanese (14%). Surprisingly, only 1 in 10 diners name British cuisine as their favourite.
Hot Neighbourhoods: As is fitting for such meccas for visitors, Covent Garden and Soho boast many exciting openings, including Leon de Bruxelles, Meat Market, Suda and 10 Cases in Covent Garden and Ceviche, Copita, Ducksoup, La Bodega Negra, Mele e Pere, Pitt Cue Co., Tapasia and 10 Greek Street in Soho.
Survey Details: The 2013 Zagat London Restaurants Survey (£10.99) was edited by Sholto Douglas-Home, Susan Kessler, Claire Coleman and Bill Corsello. Zagat's ratings and reviews of London restaurants are integrated throughout Google, including Search, Maps, Google+ and mobile. Guidebooks are also available at all major retailers.

Zagat 2013 NYC Restaurant Survey Reveals Home-Cooked Meals Eclipse Meals Out for First Time

Contact: Tiffany Herklots
therklots@zagat.com
212-404-6416

Nick Sampogna
nsampogna@zagat.com
212-404-6417

Zagat 2013 NYC Restaurant Survey Reveals Home-Cooked Meals Eclipse Meals Out for First Time

Greater Number of Openings vs. Closings and Growth in Tourism Support Economic Recovery;
Casual Inexpensive Spots Overwhelm Formal Fine Dining; Brooklyn Restaurants Soar
Winners: Le Bernardin (Food, Popularity); Asiate (Decor); Per Se (Service); North End Grill (Newcomer)
NEW YORK, NY. October 2, 2012 - Zagat announced the results of its 2013 New York City Restaurant Survey today. The redesigned iconic burgundy guidebook is now available in stores, and the new ratings and reviews can also be found for free across Google Maps, Search, Google+ and mobile to help people find and discover the best local places. This year’s guide includes a record 2,120 restaurants based on the combined opinions of another record 44,306 New York City diners. Additional restaurants are also available on the above-mentioned digital platforms.
A Slow Recovery: The New York dining scene has not fully recovered from the recession and for the first time, the average number of meals surveyors report cooking at home (6.7 per week) outpaces the average number of meals they eat/take out (6.4 per week). Fortunately, New York City’s booming tourist industry, with over 50 million visitors, has made up the difference for most restaurants. This year included 119 noteworthy restaurant openings vs. 60 closings reported in the guide. The vast majority of these newcomers are more affordable, casual places with few formal fine dining openings. The 2013 guide includes 399 restaurants that offer dinner (plus one drink and tip) for less than $25, and 641 restaurants with an average tab less than $30.
Winners: Eric Ripert and Maguy Le Coze’s Le Bernardin claimed the top spots for Food (for the fourth straight year) with a near-perfect 29 out of 30, as well as for Popularity (for a second year). Also holding on to their crowns are Asiate (Decor) and Per Se (Service), both in the Time Warner Center.
Diverse Newcomers: Notable newcomers are popping up all over the map. Danny Meyer’s North End Grill, a New American located in the Goldman Sachs Tower, has been voted Top Newcomer. Following behind are Talde (Park Slope), Bistro La Promenade (Chelsea), Wong (West Village) and Don Antonio (West 50s). Other hot newcomers include TriBeCa’s Atera, Mas (La Grillade) in the West Village and Daniel Humm and Will Guidara’s NoMad in Chelsea. NYC continues to be the place where international chefs/restaurateurs want to prove themselves. The city has welcomed imports like: Hakkasan (London), Almayass (Beirut), Brasserie Pushkin (Moscow) and La Mar Cebicheria (Peru).
Category Leaders: This year a whopping 18 special categories welcomed new winners:
Caribbean – Sofrito (24)
Chicken – Torishin (26)
Chinese – RedFarm (26)
Delis – Mile End (25)
Dessert – ChickaLicious (25)
French Bistro – Le Gigot (25)
Korean – Danji (26)
Kosher – Solo (26)
Mexican – Mercadito (24)
Noodle Shops – Totto Ramen (26)
Pizza – Lucali (27)
Russian – Brasserie Pushkin (26)
Sandwiches – Il Bambino (27)
Small Plates – Degustation (28)
Southern/Soul – Pies/Thighs (25)
Spanish – Degustation (28)
Vegetarian – Kajitsu (28)
Vietnamese – Omai (24)
According to the Survey, Japanese restaurants receive the highest average food score (24.33 on Zagat’s 30-point scale), followed by Spanish (23.33), Italian (23.08), American (22.74) and French (22.72).
Brooklyn Scores: Brooklyn’s chefs are increasingly netting high scores. Beginning with the rise of Smith Street in 1999 and the arrival of eateries including Saul (opened in 1999) and The Grocery (opened in 2000; No. 1 in Brooklyn this year), the number of Brooklyn restaurants covered by Zagat has grown from 77 in 1998 to 250 this year. To demonstrate, a host of exciting newcomers have opened in the past year, including the white-hot, celeb magnet Reynards in Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel (by the Diner and Marlow & Sons crew); Gwynnett St. with its creative cuisine; Bushwick’s 12-seat Blanca, which boasts a $180 tasting menu; and Carroll Gardens’ Battersby, which is being hailed as a “phenomenon” by surveyors.
"The David Chang" Effect: Working its way out of the recession, the city’s food scene has been characterized by low-priced food with high-end flourishes. With pizzerias and burger joints having reached a possible saturation point this year, Asian restaurants were all the rage, including Mission Chinese, Pok Pok Ny, RedFarm (No. 1 Chinese this year), Talde and Wong. Call it the David Chang effect – these places are variations on his groundbreaking Momofuku Noodle Bar (born 2004), offering inventive Asian food, some at student-friendly prices. But there are always some on the other end of the spectrum, so New York also welcomed a few swanky spots, such as Hakkasan, Jungsik and Kristalbelli.
No Reservations: In a year where “no-reservation” policies became more prevalent (Mission Chinese, Pok Pok Ny and Battersby among them), New Yorkers have mixed opinions about the trend. When asked, 62% of surveyors indicated that they won’t wait more than 30 minutes for a table, while 18% avoid these restaurants altogether.
Overall Food Outpaces Service: When asked to rate New York City’s culinary creativity and diversity overall, diners awarded them a 26 and 28, respectively on Zagat’s 30-point scale. Comparatively, hospitality only received an 18 – this is not surprising since 58% of surveyors say service is their principal complaint when dining out, followed by noise/crowds (27%) and prices (8%).
Hot Nabes: West Village (Mas (La Grillade), Rosemary’s, Wong); East Village (Boukiés, Calliope, Nicoletta); Smith Street (Arthur on Smith, Battersby, Dassara); NoHo (Acme, Saxon & Parole); Williamsburg (Gwynnett St., Reynards).
Survey Details: The Zagat 2013 New York City Restaurants Survey was edited by Curt Gathje and Carol Diuguid with local coordination by Larry Cohn. Zagat's scores and reviews of New York City restaurants are integrated across Google, including Maps, Search, Google+ and mobile. Guidebooks ($15.95) are available wherever books are sold.
About Zagat
Zagat is known as the "burgundy bible" and a trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the "most up-to-date," "comprehensive" and "reliable" guide. Zagat content is integrated throughout Google, including Maps, Search, Google+ and mobile. Guidebooks are also available at all major retailers. In September 2011, Zagat was acquired by Google Inc.
About Google Inc.
Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top Internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.
Google and Zagat are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
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Securities Retail and Restaurants Summit

News Release Details

Darden Restaurants to Present at Wells Fargo Securities Retail and Restaurants Summit

October 01, 2012

Download this Press Release ()

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI) will be presenting at Wells Fargo Securities Retail and Restaurants Summit to be held Boston, Massachusetts. There will be an on-line simulcast of the Company's presentation which begins at 8:45 am (Eastern) on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, available at the Company's website, www.darden.com. A webcast of the Company's presentation will be available over the Internet at:
http://cc.talkpoint.com/well001/100212a_hr/?entity=6_PJEVO8G
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050203/FLTH026LOGO )
The archived webcast will also be available on the home page of the company's website www.darden.com through November 1, 2012.
Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates more than 2,000 restaurants that generate $8.0 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing more than 185,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2012, Darden was named to the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the second year in a row and is the only full-service restaurant company to ever appear on the list. Our restaurant brands — Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's and Yard House — reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.
Source: F

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: Financial

(Analysts) Matthew Stroud, 1-407-245-6458, (Media) Rich Jeffries, 1-407-245-4189

National Restaurant Association Seeks Cutting-Edge Equipment, Technologies and Supplies for 2013 Kitchen Innovations Awards

Press Releases


September 12, 2012

National Restaurant Association Seeks Cutting-Edge Equipment, Technologies and Supplies for 2013 Kitchen Innovations Awards

Award recipients to be featured in exclusive pavilion at NRA Show 2013

(Chicago) The National Restaurant Association is calling on foodservice equipment manufacturers to apply for its prestigious 2013 Kitchen Innovations™ Awards. Selected by an independent, expert panel of judges, award recipients represent the most promising and cutting-edge equipment, technologies and supplies in the market today. Award recipients will be showcased in the interactive, hands-on Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 18-21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place).

“Our Kitchen Innovations Award recipients are true pioneers of forward-thinking and efficient products, which are at the heart of every restaurant kitchen and top of mind for every chef and operator,” said Mary Pat Heftman, Executive Vice President of Convention for the National Restaurant Association. “Previous KI awardees have gained industry-wide visibility as the most remarkable commercial equipment available, designed to increase productivity and profit potential, as well as to creating and serving safe, nutritious and delicious meals.”

“We’re looking for things that are new and new technologies, but more importantly, it’s innovations that solve problems for restaurateurs,” said Robert Marshall, Vice President, U.S. Operations, McDonald’s Corporation and Kitchen Innovations judge.

All applications are judged by an independent, expert panel of industry leaders, including Dan Bendall (Principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.), Martin Cowley (Senior Manager Design and Standards, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts), William Eaton (Chairman of the Board, Cini-Little International), Robert Forrester (Principal, Restaurant Industry Solutions), Foster F. Frable Jr. (Founding Partner, Clevenger Frable LaVallee), Jim Krueger, Jr. (Chief, F&B Research and Development, Headquarters, Air Force Services Agency), Aaron LaMotte (Director, Sodexo Performance Interiors), Robert Marshall (Vice President, U.S. Operations, McDonald's Corporation), and Kathleen H. Seelye (Managing Partner, Ricca Newmark Design).

The deadline to apply for the 2013 Kitchen Innovations Awards is December 7, 2012. To be considered, all equipment and supplies innovations must be introduced within the 24 months prior to NRA Show 2013. Award recipients will be announced in February. Visit Restaurant.org/Show for more details on the KI program and to see a list of past awardees, or contact Eric Rude at 312-853-2525 or erude@restaurant.org.

The annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals. NRA Show 2013 will be held May 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts 61,000+ attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases the latest products, services, innovative ideas, up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show website at www.restaurant.org/show, and find the NRA Show on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, YouTube and its widely read blog Floored!

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Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 970,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry's largest trade show (NRA Show May 18-21, 2013, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart, including the National ProStart Invitational April 19-21, 2013, in Baltimore, Md.); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids' menu options. For more information, visit www.restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.