I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients, associates and partners for making 2004 a great year. There will not be an Executive Connection Newsletter in December but will resume in January, 2005.

The report that just came out from Thomas Weisel Partners shows there are 27 companies with significant profit out of the 34 companies listed. They are as follows: Buffalo Wings - 37.7% increase; Panera - 32% increase; PF Chang's - 29.0% increase; Cheesecake Factory - 25% increase; Rare Hospitality - 17% increase; and, Applebee's - 12% increase. The Hospitality business has responded with an excellent year.

We at Dick Wray & Consultants Inc. (since 1972) want to wish the best of the best to all of you during the holiday season and thank you again for making our year a successful one.

Regards,

Dick Wray, CEO

On behalf of the Dick Wray consulting group, we wish all of you a happy and joyful holiday season!

Dick Wray, CEO & Chairman

Jim Osborn, President

Jim Weber, COO

KNEELAND YOUNGBLOOD, co-founder and managing partner of the Dallas-based private equity firm Pharos Capital Group LLC was appointed to the board of directors of BURGER KING CORP. Youngblood is a board member for Starwood Hotels and Lodging and a trustee of the Dallas Employees' Retirement Fund.

APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL INC. hired former managing director of YUM! RESTAURANTS INTERNATIONAL, ROHAN ST. GEORGE, as president of its international division, which includes 53 units. St. George also was vice president of global operations for Yum's KFC, PIZZAHUT and TACO BELL chains.

DAVID DENO was named by YUM! BRANDS INC., as chief operating officer to replace AYLWIN LEWIS, who left Yum to become president and chief executive of Kmart Department Stores. The company said Deno will retain his post as chief financial officer during a transition year and will continue to report to Yum's chairman and chief executive officer, DAVID NOVAK. RICK CARUCCI was promoted to senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer designate. In addition, Yum said STEVE DAVIS, president of A&W and Long John Silver's, would assume Lewis' responsibilities for the company's multibranding strategy.

AYLWIN LEWIS, former president and chief multibranding and operating officer of YUM! Brands, Inc., has been hired by KMART HOLDING as its new president and chief executive officer, suggesting the nation's third-largest discount retailer would soon start building up its core retail business and perhaps spend some of its $3 billion in cash to acquire new brands and businesses. In an interview, Lewis told the Detroit Free Press that his 26-year career in restaurants prepared him to take Kmart to the next level. "Understanding brands and how to build brands will be important in this role," Lewis said. "The stores will be very important to me. I will spend a ton of time in the stores. My job is to build a culture where everyone's contribution matters. I came from a culture with positive energy. The stores will be very important to the culture". Lewis replaces JULIAN DAY, who will remain on the company's board of directors and assist Lewis during his transition.

Executives at ARAMARK CORP. in Philadelphia confirmed that chain veteran BARBARA TIMM-BROCK was hired by the company in an unspecified capacity. According to spokeswoman for Timm-Brock, she currently is working in Campus Services as she gets a feel for the workings of a foodservice management firm.

Parent of 107 Italian restaurants under the names BUCA DI BEPPO and VINNY T'S OF BOSTON, BUCA INC., said WALLACE B. DOOLIN was named chairman, chief executive and president, effective in December. Most recently, Doolin, a veteran of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, T.G.I. Friday's and Applebee's, was CEO of La Madeleine Bakery, Cafe & Bistro, on whose board he will continue to serve.

NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP named NELSON E. HEUMANN chairman of the board of directors replacing Paul Murphy. Heumann has served on the board since May 2004. Also, MICHAEL W. ARTHUR, president of Michael Arthur & Associates, a consulting and interim management firm, was named to the board and will act on the audit committee as the company's financial expert. SUSAN DAGGETT was appointed to the newly created position of chief strategy officer and served since October 2003 as the company's chief operating officer. MIKE MRLIK will replace Daggett as COO.

CHRISTOPHE BELLANCA was named executive chef at L'ORANGERIE, a prominent French restaurant in Los Angeles. Bellanca replaces former executive chef CHRISTOPHE EME, who left the restaurant late last year. Bellanca's experience in France includes stints at the three-Michelin-star Georges Blanc restaurant in Vonnas, La Pyramide in Vienne and, most recently, Pic in Valance. JEAN-CLAUDE MONS, will return to his former post as chef de cuisine after serving as executive chef at L'Orangerie in the interim.

PATRICK DOYLE, executive vice president of the chain's international division, was promoted by DOMINO'S PIZZA INC. to executive vice president and leader of TEAM U.S.A., a post that puts him in charge of more than 570 U.S. corporate stores succeeding PATRICK KNOTTS, who left the company. MICHAEL LAWTON, Domino's senior vice president, finance and administration, replaces Doyle, who served as Domino's executive vice president of international, and will put him in charge of 2,500 overseas units.

ORIN SMITH, president and chief executive of STARBUCKS CORP. is retiring effective March 31, 2005 according to the company. He will be replaced by JIM DONALD, Starbucks North American president. Also, the Seattle-based coffee giant promoted JIM ALLING, executive vice president of business and operations U.S.A., to the newly created post of president, Starbucks Coffee U.S.

JOHN DRESEL was appointed president and chief operating officer by TULLY'S COFFEE. He is the former president of Ackerley Television Group and replaces ANTHONY GIOIA, who said he left Tully's last July to spend more time with his family in California.

JON ROGAN as executive chef was hired by YOSHINOYA WEST INC., operator of 86 quick-service rice-bowl restaurants in California, replacing JEFF DAVIDSON, who left the company to pursue other interests. Most recently, Rogan was director of food and beverage at Chi-Chi's, a former Prandium Inc. subsidiary.

STEPHEN CLARK was appointed president and chief executive by BERTUCCI'S BRICK OVEN RISTORANTE, parent of 91 casual-dining units, replacing BEN JACOBSON. Clark also is 130-unit Taco Bueno's president and CEO. Jacobson is managing general partner of New York-based JACOBSON PARTNERS, the private equity group that owns both Bertucci's and Taco Bueno.

The chain of more than 130 casual-dining restaurants DAMON'S GRILL, named STU LAW chief financial officer; JIM MEANEY vice president of franchise sales and general counsel, JOHN VOTINO vice president of franchise services and SCOTT RYMER franchise business consultant.

MICHAEL SUTTON and LIZANNE THOMAS were appointed to its board as independent directors at KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC., operator and franchisor of more than 390 doughnut shops. They will co-chair a special committee to investigate matters raised by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Krispy Kreme's accounting of franchise repurchases and May forecast that annual earnings would be off 10 percent from year-earlier levels because of the low-carb trend.

For the four weeks ended Oct. 23, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE INC., operator and franchisor of 1,142 casual-dining restaurants, said systemwide samestore sales fell 0.6 percent at its 870- unit namesake chain, but rose 3.3 percent at Carrabba's Italian Grills, 14.5 percent at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars, 8.9 percent at Roy's and 2.2 percent at Bonefish Grills.

Applebee's said the INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE and APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL INC. and have reached the restaurant industry's first-ever "prefiling agreement," or PFA, to determine allowable tax depreciation on restaurants under new IRS rules before any possible audit were required. For the 39 weeks ended Sept. 26, Applebee's deferred-income-tax provision was a positive $26.6 million, compared with a negative $541,000 at the same time last year.

Operator and franchisor of 701 bakery-cafes, PANERA BREAD CO., grew its earnings 22 percent or $6.5 million for the third quarter ended Oct. 2, while revenues soared 32 percent to $113.8 million.

Revenues at DENNY'S CORP. were $247.1 million, for the quarter, ended Sept. 29th and they booked a 21-percent increase in third-quarter operating profit on a 3.7-percent rise in revenue as interest expenses and costs of a recapitalization yielded a net loss of $11.3 million, or 14 cents a share.

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC. agreed to sell the 14-unit BIG BOWL ASIAN KITCHEN to that concept's developer, Chicago-based LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU ENTERPRISES, for an undisclosed price. Brinker International Inc. posted a sharp drop in earnings despite a 4.5-percent increase in revenues for its first quarter ended Sept. 29.

Operator and franchisor of a 60-unit quick-service chain, FAT BURGER RESTAURANTS, refinanced its debt to fund expansion with a $6 million deal from GE COMMERCIAL FINANCE's FRANCHISE FINANCE arm of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Third-quarter earnings at IHOP CORP., whose mostly franchised system has 1,168 restaurants, fell 31 percent as revenues declined 17 percent as the company continues to convert to a new business model in which franchisees finance the development of new IHOP restaurants, instead of using IHOP-supplied funding for turnkey restaurants. IHOP also reported a 5.3-percent increase in systemwide same-store sales for third quarter ended Sept. 30, and a 5.6-percent boost in same-store sales for the fiscal year's first nine months.

For its first quarter ended Sept. 26, PIZZA INN INC., operator and franchisor or more than 400 outlets, reported earnings per share of 3 cents, versus 5 cents a year earlier. Net income was $285,000, versus $504,000 in last year's first quarter, on revenues of $14.4 million, down from $15.4 a year earlier.

A 16-percent drop in third-quarter net income on weak sales and higher costs was reported by RYAN'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC., parent of 348 casual-dining units. For the quarter ended Sept. 29, Ryan's reported earnings of $9.2 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, versus $11 million, or 25 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Despite a 25-percent rise in revenues, THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC., parent of the 85-unit namesake chain and four Grand Lux Cafe restaurants, reported an 11-percent drop in net income for the third quarter ended Sept. 28.

Parent of the LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille and Bugaboo Creek Steak House chains, RARE HOSPITALITY INC., reported third-quarter net income of $8.5 million, up 9 percent from $7.8 million a year earlier. RARE HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL also said third-quarter same-store sales rose 3 percent at LongHorn Steakhouse, 2.3 percent at Bugaboo Creek Steak House and 11 percent at The Capital Grille.

For the third quarter ended Sept. 26, BUFFALO WILD WINGS INC., parent of the nearly 290-unit namesake chain, reported net earnings of $1.2 million, up from $970,000 a year earlier.

BUCA INC., said income from restaurant operations fell 61 percent on almost flat sales for the third quarter, while its net loss increased almost seven-fold.

Parent of 577-unit Bob Evans Restaurants and the 84-unit MIMI'S CAFE casual-dining chain, BOB EVANS FARMS INC., lowered its second-quarter earnings per-share forecast to between 25 cents and 30 cents, a reduction of 10 cents to 15 cents from the company's earlier expectations. For the four weeks ended Sept. 24, BOB EVANS FARMS INC. reported a 4.6-percent decrease in same-stores sales at its Bob Evans family dining chain, and a 5.4-percent increase at its Mimi's Cafe casual-dining chain. The company, which also is a producer and distributor of pork sausage and other food items, said hog costs have moderated from the inflated levels experienced during the first quarter.

A 20-percent increase in pretax income for the third quarter on 4.6-percent higher revenues was posted by CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS INC. Checkers reported net income of $1.6 million, or 13 cents per diluted share, for the quarter ended Sept. 6, compared with $2.5 million, or 20 cents a share, for the previous third quarter.

For the third quarter, CEC ENTERTAINMENT INC., parent of 487 Chuck E. Cheese's restaurants, booked 13-percent higher earnings, excluding a charge in the year-ago period, on 7.9-percent higher revenues.

An initial regular quarterly dividend of 35 cents a share was set by ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. payable Nov. 1 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 22. With an annual dividend of $1.40 a share, and based on Ark's Oct. 13 closing stock price of $31.15, the dividend yield is 4.5 percent, which is among the highest in the restaurant industry.

Parent of the 2,885-unit namesake drive-in restaurant chain, SONIC CORP., boosted fourth-quarter net income by 22 percent to $21.3 million, versus $17.5 million last year. Earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 31 rose 17 percent to 34 cents, from 29 cents in the year-ago quarter.

CKE RESTAURANTS INC. said same-store sales for the four weeks ended Oct. 4 had jumped 8.8 percent at Carl's Jr. and 5.1 percent at Hardee's. According to the company, its introduction of the Loaded Breakfast Burrito and the Guacamole Bacon Chicken Sandwich had helped drive same-store sales at Carl's Jr. Hardee's continued to benefit from its two breakfast bowls, as well as a new Western Bacon Thickburger.

Third-quarter earnings per share at MCDONALD'S CORP. are expected to be 61 cents, well above average analyst expectations of 49 cents a share, and a 42-percent increase from year-ago earnings of 43 cents a share. The company said results for the quarter ended Sept. 30 include a 7-cent-per-share tax benefit and a boost from strong sales.

A franchisee of Burger King and Chili's Grill & Bar, QUALITY DINING INC., said a special board committee had voted in principle to allow a group of five shareholders led by chief executive DANIEL B. FITZPATRICK to take the company private. The shareholders group agreed to pay $3.20 per share in cash for all outstanding shares, a premium of 45 cents a share, or 16 percent, to the group's June 15 original offer of $2.75 a share, and a 9-percent premium to the stock's Oct. 12 closing price.

For the five weeks ended Sept. 26, STARBUCKS CORP. reported a 7-percent increase in company-operated same-store sales. a result at the high end of the company's long-term, 3-percent-to-7-percent growth range, but below August's 8-percent increase and the consistently double-digit results of earlier this year.

For the five weeks ended Sept. 29, DENNY'S CORP., whose namesake chain comprises 553 company-operated and 1,056 franchised restaurants, reported a 7-percent increase in same-store sales at company units. Traffic was up 2.3 percent, while the check average increased 4.6 percent.

Third-quarter revenues rose 23 percent to $32.9 million at BJ'S RESTAURANTS INC., owner of 34 BJ's casual-dining restaurants, including 10 microbrewery branches, and licensor of a BJ's in Hawaii.

According to the French-based company, annual revenues for food and management services provider SODEXHO ALLIANCE's North American division increased 3.7 percent, excluding currency effects, to approximately $6.14 billion for its fiscal year ended Aug. 31. Although revenues, by its North American sector, grew 6 percent for education, 4.3 percent for health care and 6.6 percent for defense, revenues fell 0.6 percent for business and industry.

Reflecting a 0.6-percent rise at company- operated units and a 1.4 percent boost at franchised restaurants, PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL INC. reported a 1.2-percent increase in domestic systemwide same-store sales for the five weeks ended Sept. 26.

Parent of five restaurant concepts that total 309 units, LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON INC., boosted its third-quarter net income 23 percent to $4.5 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, versus the year-ago quarter.

A 29-percent increase in third-quarter revenues to $179.7 million was posted by P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO INC., operator of 108 namesake casual-dining locations and 47 Pei Wei Asian Diner units, versus $139.7 million in the year-ago period.

For the third quarter, YUM! BRANDS INC. reported an 8-percent jump in operating earnings on a 10-percent rise in revenues, and said same-store sales momentum had mitigated higher commodity costs, particularly for meats and cheese.

Operator and franchisor of 182 casual-dining units, TEXAS ROADHOUSE INC., raised $159.3 million from its initial public stock offering Oct. 4. It offered 9.1 million shares of common stock at $17.50 per share, above its estimated $15-to-$17 range.

For the period ended Aug. 31, RUBY TUESDAY INC., which operates and franchises 744 casual-dining restaurants, posted a 19.3-percent increase in fiscal first-quarter net profit to $29.3 million. The company said that the pre-tax profit margin increased 170 basis points to 17.0 percent.

HOTELS

In an effort to create an opulent new hotel chain, boost hotel rates and add a new level of glamour to its name, the RITZ-CARLTON, owned by Marriott International, teamed up with BULGARI, a well-known Italian jeweler, several years ago. Now, these two luxury brands are locked in an awkward, high-stakes partnership that is not what the Ritz-Carlton expected. The Bulgari brand is displayed prominently on the Milan hotel's door, bath towels and stationery but nowhere in the marble and teak hotel does the Ritz-Carlton name appear. According to Bulgari, the Ritz-Carlton agreed to forgo its name recognition and instead focus on the more mundane tasks of hotel operations, including choosing and training hotel staff. One of the issues worrying some at Ritz-Carlton is Bulgari's opulence. While Ritz-Carlton has long been synonymous with luxury, the new chain's existence, for all intentional purposes, is an admission that Ritz-Carlton can't garner room prices equal to other top-luxury hotel chains. At the same time, Marriott has been pressuring Ritz-Carlton to cut budgets and raise occupancy rates. According to some analysts, the new venture carries risks. For Bulgari, entering the hotel business could make the jeweler even more susceptible to volatile tourist flows than luxury-goods firms normally experience. For Marriott, the prospects may be brighter with Bulgari being a wealthy partner and having the chance to build more hotels just as the industry recovers from several years of doldrums. In addition to splitting the profits for the 50/50 venture, Marriott is paid fees for managing the hotels and for the use of the Ritz-Carlton name.

Third quarter earnings rose 45 percent at MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL as growing demand for rooms helped boost revenue by 9 percent. For the quarter ended Sept. 10, the lodging giant reported earnings of $133 million, or 56 cents a share up sharply from the $92 million, or 37 cents a share Marriott earned in the same quarter of 2003. Marriott attributes the increase in earnings to summer lodgers and a continuing improvement of the business travel market.

According to owner, IAN SCHRAGER, the CLIFT HOTEL has emerged from 14 months of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection debt-free and is operating normally. In a statement issued by Schrager, who also runs boutique hotels in New York, Los Angeles and London, he said, "From our vantage point, this filing never should have occurred. Although the Clift had financing in place to refinance 100 percent of its debt, we were not able to obtain agreement from all the hotel's many and diverse bondholders in a timely manner." Schrager's company, Morgans Hotel Group, under a court-approved plan, will receive $71 million in a sale/leaseback arrangement and will retain the 99-year leasehold. The hotel's lenders and trade creditors will be paid in full, he said.

CASINOS

In Atlantic City, N.J., approximately 10,000 casino-hotel workers from several of the city's 12 gaming properties went on strike over the hotels' practice of leasing space to restaurants and bars without requiring them to use union workers. Harrah's Atlantic City, Showboat Hotel-Casino, Bally's Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Hilton, Resorts Atlantic City and the Tropicana Casino and Resort were among the properties affected. Since September 15th, the casino hotel union, which represents about 17,000 workers in the city, had been working without a contract. Gaming operations were not affected by the strike.

Higher third quarter profits were reported by casino giants MGM MIRAGE and HARRAH's ENTERTAINMENT as both companies benefited from strong Las Vegas business that included increased customer spending and higher room rates. In line with analysts' expectations, earnings for the July-September period more than doubled at MGM Mirage and Harrah's reported a 19 percent increase, slightly ahead of expectations.

Casino operator, CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT INC. announced that it was planning to build a Las Vegas-style hotel-casino near a famous sports venue in London. The $600 million resort, which will be named Caesars Wembley, will have 400 rooms and be built on 13 acres next to the redeveloped Wembley National Stadium and Wembley Arena.

THEME PARKS

The WALT DISNEY COMPANY's president and chief operating officer, ROBERT A. IGER, said that they are taking a series of steps to address local cultural sensitivities as it prepares to open HONG KONG DISNEYLAND in late 2005, early 2006. The new theme park will include local food and music and provide services not only in English but in two Chinese languages. The steps are part of the company's broad effort to recognize national differences. Mr. Iger said that Disney already employed 1,000 people in Hong Kong, and would employ 5,000 by the time the park opens.

The latest addition at EURO DISNEY's 12-year-old, multibillion-dollar amusement complex east of Paris is under construction. Guest relations manager, IAN BENJAFIELD, said, "It may sound corny, but Walt Disney once said that as long as there's imagination left in the world, the parks will never be finished." But it may take more than imagination to keep Euro Disney growing as declining ticket sales and towering debt have spooked the lenders who have kept the park afloat since it opened in 1992. Euro Disney's fifth chief executive in just over a decade, ANDRE LACROIX, is trying to increase attendance by cutting ticket prices on so-called Magic Nights from 5 to 11 p.m. and by promotions for holidays including Halloween and Mardi Gras. The real draw, however, will be dazzling new attractions.

According to a filing with securities regulators, REAL MEX RESTAURANTS, parent of the EL TORITO and ACAPULCO MEXICAN RESTAURANTS brands will pay J. W. CHILDS EQUITY PARTNERS up to $78 million in its previously announced deal to acquire the 74-unit CHEVYS chain out of Ch. 11 bankruptcy.

DOMINO'S PIZZA has debuted the new Doublemelt. Offered in two sizes, the pizza has two thin crusts glued together with a potent cheese-and-herb sauce, then slathered with a six-cheese blend. DAVID A. BRANDON, Domino's chief executive said, "This probably has more blast of cheese flavor than any pizza we've ever rolled out." During the introduction, the 12-inch variety is $9.99 or $14.99 for two, and the 14-inch is $11.99, or $18.99 for two. Brandon calls the Doublemelt introduction "very important", given that the pizza is Domino's first new product since it went public in July.

A third location of POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS OF CHICAGO has opened in Dallas adding another major metropolitan area to the 61-unit chain's portfolio. Texas seemed like a good market for the concept, which sells upscale sandwiches that are anything but cookie cutter according to the chain's chairman, BRYANT KEIL.

Operator of the 35-unit Famous Famiglia pizza chain, FAMIGLIA DEBARTOLO LLC, plans to open locations in December at two toll plazas on the Illinois Tollway and at five more plazas as they are built over the next several months. White Plains, N.Y.-based Famiglia Debartolo, which recently opened its newest unit at Madison Square Garden in New York, said it has signed deals with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and CA One Services, the airport concessionaire owned by Delaware North Cos. The company has hired Sbarro veteran JOSEPH VANKIRK as director of operations for corporate stores, and JOSEPH PETRELLA as executive chef.

Minneapolis based BUFFALO WILD WINGS, the chain of more than 290 barbecue restaurants, debuted a new prototype building in Irving, Texas which should be installed in all new units beginning in 2005. According to the company, the design is intended to help build brand recognition and push expansion plans. The prototype, with 276 seats and 6,000 square feet, features a new lounge area situated between the bar and the dining area. The lounge contains 32 seats with a view of several of the restaurant's 50-plus televisions. Also, the company added an open site-line allowing customers to view the preparation of their meals and will feature separate video gaming areas for adults and children.

Three existing franchisees deals were signed for 24 additional units by PANERA BREAD, parent of 669 bakery-cafes under the names Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. Franchisees LEE and TOM HOWLEY and operations partner BAHJAT SHARIFF, of HOWLEY BREAD GROUP LTD., agreed to open eight units in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. CHICAGO BREAD LLC, owned by SAM and MIKE HAMRAS, plans to open 10 more bakery-cafes in the Chicago area and THE CANDALL GROUP INC., operator of 23 Pennsylvania and West Virginia units, will add six units in West Virginia; president SAM COVELLI also has 28 Paneras in Ohio.

WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL is planning to reorganize the menu board at Baja Fresh featuring new headings and separating steak and chicken dishes. CEO, JACK SCHUESSIER, told analysts "It's really going to be more readable." The present menu board set up, commonly referred to as the "Baja Stare", should help eliminate the confusion displayed by customers when they try to digest the store's offerings.

A former general manager of a Red Lobster restaurant in Texarkana has alleged that he was subjected to discrimination because of his race, national origin and religion. SHAUN HAGHNEVISS, who is Iranian and Muslim, reportedly is suing parent company DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC. of Orlando, Fla. Claiming he was instructed by Red Lobster management to replace older employees with younger workers. According to the lawsuit, he resisted terminating several of his employees who were over 40 and the suit accuses a district manager of making derogatory comments to Haghneviss about his faith and ethnicity.

The 12-unit casual-dining chain, JOEY'S ONLY SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, signed two franchise agreements to open five units in O'Fallon, Chesterfield and Cape Girardeau, Mo., as well as Paducah, Ky., and Carbondale, Ill. The new units are expected to be open by mid-2005.

Parent of the 101-unit Famous Dave's barbecue chain, FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA INC., signed TACAZA II INC. to a pact calling for it to open six restaurants in the Northern California counties of Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara. Tacaza II's sister company, TACAZA INC., previously agreed to develop six Famous Dave's restaurants in Southern California.

Serving a variety of specialty coffee beverages, new espresso bars were debuted at EAT'N PARK RESTAURANTS, parent of the 78-unit family dining chain. The espresso bars feature a European-influenced design and include outdoor seating and an indoor cafe area with a fireplace. KEVIN O'CONNELL, Eat'n Park's senior vice president of marketing said, "We are the only dining chain in the region where guests can come to experience the comforts of a family meal and enjoy specialty, espresso-based coffees at the same time."

According to CKE RESTAURANTS INC., parent of the Hardee's, Carl's Jr. and La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill chains, the U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI filed criminal charges of extortion, wire fraud and securities fraud against CLIVE MUNRO, publisher of the Javelin Research and Montecito Research investment reports. Munro was arrested and accused of coercing CKE to hire him as a consultant and demanding $25,000 per month from the company to halt his issuance of negative reports about it. The company said it informed the FBI and cooperated in monitoring and recording two conversations with Munro. JAMES G. MARTIN, U.S. Attorney, was quoted as saying that a negative report issued by Munro during the extortion plot had caused the stock of Carpinteria-based CKE to lose $160 million in value.

Under a franchise-development agreement with WORKS FOR ME INC., BUFFALO'S SOUTHWEST CAFe opened the first of seven casual-dining outlets planned in Las Vegas. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant includes a 1,700-square-foot bar and cantina area, making it the largest in the Marietta, Ga.-based chain. It also will be the first Buffalo's that will be open 24 hours a day and will serve breakfast.

Golden, Colo. based NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP, parent of 706 restaurants under six brand names, will launch its new EINSTEIN BROS. CAFE, an extension of its 425-unit quick-service brand Einstein Bros. Bagels. The new cafe will offer lunch and dinner menus in a fast-casual environment and is scheduled to open the first unit in Denver by month-end.

Marking the company's first restaurant in Florida, COSÍ INC., the Deerfield, Ill.-based parent of 85 fast casual locations, opened its first unit in a MACY'S store at the Burdines-Macy's Dadeland location in Miami. Plans for several new Cosí locations and coffee shops in nearby malls also are underway. CAREY WATSON, Cosi's senior vice president of marketing said, "We are pleased to provide this new service to our customers so they can 'rest and refresh' when shopping without having to leave the store."

A deal was signed with the SHAMEN GROUP by QUALITY RESTAURANT VENTURES INC., franchisor of Sobik's Subs, and HEAD WEST ENTERPRISES, parent of the 48-unit WESTSHORE PIZZA chain, to develop a minimum of 35 Westshore Pizza locations over the next 90 months in the Orlando, Fla., area.

PHILLY CONNECTION, parent of 130 cheesesteak eateries based in Atlanta, opened its first location in Memphis, Tenn., and its 30th Texas restaurant in Houston.

Operator of eight namesake casual-dining locations, NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE'S INC., said $6.5 million in new financing would allow it to double in size by the end of 2006. To help fund its expansion plan, the company sold $6.5 million of preferred equity securities. As part of the deal, GRACE RESTAURANT PARTNERS LP of Orlando, Fla., purchased $3.6 million and the remaining $2.9 million was purchased by existing and new individual investors.

The Securities and Exchange Commission had launched a formal investigation of KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC., parent of more than 390 doughnut shops, according to the company. In late July, the SEC began an informal review of Krispy Kreme's accounting of its franchise repurchases and reduction in forecast profit for the year.

The first DQ GRILL & CHILL outside of North America was opened by JAWAD BUSINESS GROUP, licensee of 12 DAIRY QUEENs in the Middle East. Grill & Chill is a fast-casual version of Edina, Minn.-based INTERNATIONAL DAIRY QUEEN's signature quick-service burger concept. Their menu is similar to that of the 33 Grill & Chill locations in the United States and Canada, except that it uses all-beef instead of pork bacon.

Operator and franchisor of more than 500 pizza restaurants, CICI'S PIZZA, , signed 12 development deals to add 75 stores as part of the company's strategy to expand into Midwestern, Southeastern and Northeastern markets. CiCi's president, CRAIG MOORE, said "Our goal at CiCi's is to double the concept within the next five years to 1,000 restaurants."

WILD NOODLES, parent of 11 fast-casual noodle shops in eight states, signed development agreements to open three new restaurants by year-end, in Arizona, New Jersey and New Mexico. There are deals to open 225 stores, with 40 locations from California to Florida scheduled to debut before the end of 2005 according to the company.

Franchisees TOMAS GONZALEZ and DIMITRI HADJOPULOS signed a deal with ESCAPE ENTERPRISES LTD., parent of nearly 170 cheesesteak eateries, for the opening of five Steak Escape locations in Mexico over the next two years. The chain's debut in Mexico was slated for November in Monterrey, followed by other units in Nuevo Leon and Coahuila.

During their annual gathering with securities analysts in Dublin, Ohio, officials said that WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL plans to install double-sided grills in all of its mostly franchised chain's nearly 5,900 U.S. namesake restaurants by the end of 2007. The grill, which costs $20,000 to $35,000 per unit, reduces cook times on a 4-ounce beef patty to 85 seconds, from the current five-and-a-half minutes, while a 2-ounce patty cooks in 40 seconds, versus 3 minutes, Wendy's said.

Glendale, Calif. based IHOP CORP., is expected to disclose plans for a complete redesign of all 1,167 units in the U.S. and Canada within the next five years. The remodeling of the largely franchised chain would create a more distinct, contemporary look with IHOP's signature blue roofs remaining blue.

Burger King's second largest franchisee, SYDRAN GROUP, has agreed to sell 226 burger restaurants to STRATEGIC RESTAURANTS ACQUISITIONS CORP., a San Ramon-based affiliate of CERBERUS CALIFORNIA INC. The deal, a part of Sydran's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding awaiting court approval, is expected to include an additional 25 units that Sydran co-owns with Burger King Corp. in central California.

Atlanta, franchisor of the four-unit Doc Chey's Asian Kitchen, DOC CHEY'S RESTAURANTS LLC, signed an equity partnership with former DARDEN RESTAURANTS president and chief operating officer RICHARD RIVERA and Atlanta fine-dining veteran JOHN METZ JR. As investors, Rivera and Metz would guide operations and growth of the brand.

According to published reports, plans were disclosed by KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC., operator and franchisor of nearly 390 doughnut shops, to close a doughnut plant in Ravenna, Ohio. The company reportedly said the plant's doughnut supply was exceeding demand at shops in the region as a result of the low-carb trend.

President and chief executive, RICHARD SNEAD of CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE, was named MUFSO OPERATOR OF THE YEAR at a gala awards banquet in Los Angeles concluding the three-day conference of the MultiUnit FoodService Operators, or MUFSO. Snead, whose company is parent to the T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix chains, was selected by Nation's Restaurant News readers' balloting from among six 2004 Golden Chain Award winners, who were chosen by the editorial board of MUFSO host NRN. The other five winners were Emil J. Brolick, president and chief concept officer, Taco Bell Corp.; Steve Ells, founder, CEO and chef, Chipotle Mexican Grill; Gary Green, president and CEO, Compass Group North America; Ronald M. Shaich, chairman and CEO, Panera Bread Co.; and Julia A. Stewart, president and CEO, IHOP Corp.

In Marshfield, Mo., RIB CRIB, the 32-unit barbecue chain, teamed up with KFC, a division of the Louisville, Ky.-based YUM! BRANDS INC., to open a co-branded location. The co-branded unit, is owned and operated by BOLD RIBS CO., a six-unit Rib Crib franchisee, and RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, a 33-unit Yum franchisee. While Broken Arrow, Okla.-based Rib Crib is traditionally a full-service concept, the new 6,000-square-foot location will employ a fast-casual, counter-service format.

Miami based BURGER KING CORP., signed a deal to develop 50 restaurants in Brazil over the next five years with local rancher LUIZ EDUARDO BATALHA. BK has had no presence in Brazil, Latin America's largest market.

One year after launching a franchise program to initiate rapid growth of their hybrid gourmet-coffee brand, PORT CITY JAVA officials said they have a structure in place to support the nationwide development of the 62-unit chain. The concept, operating in 12 states, integrates coffee, sandwiches, salads, bakery products and a smoothie and juice bar.

Entrepreneur and former Boston Chicken franchiser, GEORGE NADDAFF, spotted a line of customers snaking out the door of a local restaurant as he was driving through Watertown, Mass. a few years ago. He pulled over to investigate and he found a crowd of patrons ordering chicken-meatball wraps, "air-fried" French fries, fruit-filled smoothies and other healthful fare at LO FAT KNOW FAT. Naddaff felt Lo Fat Know Fat had promise believing that much of the success of taking a small, local operation and expanding it into a national brand depends on making the right choice to begin with, and then setting up an expansion plan that suits that choice. A rising health-consciousness, in the face of increasing national obesity rates, worked in its favor. Naddaff approached the restaurant owners; Tim Kurtz and his partners, with a deal he would acquire the concept and create a franchising company at a later date. The original store in Watertown had been successful for several years among local residents and the 2,000 square foot operation generated $2.5 million in sales with operating income of $600,000. In December 2002, the company opened a second store in Shrewsbury, Mass. with the help of Naddaff's hired gun and had sales of $1.5 million and operating income of $300,000 in its first year. Naddaff recruited two young entrepreneurs late last year and formed KNOWFAT FRANCHISE CO. In February, the team acquired the rights to the restaurant and supplement-store concept in exchange for a 20% equity stake in the company for Kurtz and his three partners. KnowFat is now putting aggressive expansion plans in place.

By: Bettie Biehn

I'm a stickler for excellent grammar, correct spelling and proper punctuation when reading something even as mundane as a cereal box. And I'm amazed at how often I find errors on these boxes, and on other professionally written documents. I've seen advertisements, brochures, websites, business cards, flyers, and billboards - to name just a few - with errors that detract from their effectiveness. Items promoting a product, service or person should, by all rights, be error-free. And so should your resume.

In my last column, I suggested having someone read and edit your resume for phrasing, grammar, punctuation and spelling long before it is sent to prospective employers. Even if you have the best talents, the most outstanding education, the just-perfect work experience, and the right contacts, a badly edited resume speaks volumes about you - and perhaps about your future job performance. "But it was just a misspelled word!" you say. Yes, and that's one misspelled word too many. Even when you're in a hurry to finish updating your old resume so you can send it in application for that super job you just heard about, stop and reread it. And read it again. And then have someone else read it as well. Choose folks with an eye for detail, and whose critique you'll respect.

Your resume is your entree into an interview. It's your one chance to make a first impression, and to get your foot in the door. The interviewers - hiring manager, HR director, organizational head, other staff - will review your resume with a fine-toothed comb, looking not only for skill sets and experience, but also for detail orientation and accuracy. Most of us have seen more than a few resumes, and it's not hard to separate the well-written, well-edited ones from those prepared with less care.

Putting aside my perfectionist tendencies, I know that mistakes can and will happen. Even the best editors miss things, and frankly, after sitting at a computer screen for hours, it's easy to overlook something. Don't beat yourself up, don't despair, and don't call/write/email/fax the prospective employer with your corrections. Say a prayer that he/she overlooks any errors. Correct the problems, and move on. And maybe find another good proofreader!

Bettie Biehn, a career human resources (HR) professional, is now engaged as a freelance writer. Her published magazine articles address key HR issues, and she writes resumes from a hiring manager's perspective. Contact Bettie at bbiehn@careerchangecentral.com, and visit her website, www.careerchangecentral.com.

Dick Wray & Consultants is pleased to report that the demand for our service is strong.

The following list is a sampling of our current engagements.

1. Director of Brand Marketing, Midwest

2. VP Development, West Coast

3. VP Operations, West Coast

4. Director of Training & Recruiting

5. Director of QA, Midwest

6. Franchise Area Director, Casual Dining

7. RVP, Food Service Management

8. Director of Franchise Operations, Casual Dining, West

9. Area Director, Casual Dining, New England

10. VP Business Development, Northeast

Referrals are the life-blood of our business. If you know of anyone who may be interested in one of these situations, we would be happy to review their credentials.

"Seams In The Zone": Where The New Concepts Come From

By: J. Jeffrey Campbell, Former CEO, COCO/RUBIN

In looking at the emergent Fast Casual segment - and thinking about some of the changes in both the industry and the demographics of the country - it struck me that one of the places you want to look for successful new concepts to emerge is at those places in the service spectrum that I'd label the "Seams In The Zone".

Just as in football, a receiver will seek an area on the field where several defensive backs' zone responsibilities abut each other, so in the restaurant industry consumers will sometimes gravitate toward new offerings, which seem to capture the best characteristics of two abutting "segments".

In the emergence of Fast Casual, we have the powerful combination of QSR speed and convenience (which modern lifestyles absolutely require) and the higher-end quality more typical of the Casual segment. Several years back, I remember doing a number of Focus Groups across the country for a new concept and, in each session, we began by asking the participants what their "likes and dislikes" were about their then current casual dining out options. Their responses were so consistent that after a session or two, we could have written out the comments ahead of time. They were basically unsatisfied with the QSR segment on the quality, service and ambiance fronts and were looking for a "marriage" of QSR convenience with better quality food, service and ambiance. And they were willing to pay more for the option. In my book, this was almost a blueprint for the subsequent emergence of the Fast Casual concepts.

Today, I wonder if we won't see the same thing happen in the "seams in the zone" between the "Family" segment (Denny's, IHOP) and the Casual segment. One could imagine the emergence of a "Family Casual" segment in which concepts offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at Family segment-type price points but with higher food and service quality and more casual segment-like ambiance. Mimi's may represent the first of a new breed here. With 80 million plus Boomers moving into their Senior years - but with a more adventurous palate than today's 60+ cohort - the stage may be set for just such a new category.

One of the additional things I think we'll see in such a new area - as we're already seeing it in the Casual segment - is the continued expansion of Take Out and Off Premise dining beyond its core in QSR. But look for it to take on new forms and features as it spreads and technology contributes to new ways of delivering on its central benefits. Once again, consumers seek the convenience that American life in the 21st Century requires while remaining unwilling to sacrifice taste and quality in the bargain.

As you look at your own business, it might be profitable to think hard about those potential opportunities to deliver on demonstrated consumer needs and benefits that your concept and/or segment have not traditionally met. Meeting them may represent significant growth in your future. And it might just keep the playing field tilted your way.