DefCon hackers crack ATM scam

An attendee the DefCon security conference has reportedly uncovered an ATM scam targeting guests at a popular Las Vegas hotel.

According to a Forbes report, the attendee discovered a phony machine located in the casino section of the Riviera Hotel, which was hosting the annual hacking and security research convention.
The fraudulent machine was said to be operating as an unbranded ATM and was only spotted when the attendee noticed abnormalities with the machine's LED lights and glass display screen.

Read more:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16/20090803/ttc-defcon-hackers-crack-atm-scam-6315470.html

Brits attacked in Tobago

Two British citizens have been violently attacked on the holiday island of Tobago, raising further concerns over safety in the region. Peter and Miriam Greene, 65 and 59-years-of-age respectively, were attacked with a machete on Saturday afternoon. Following the attack Mr Greene is described as being in a critical condition, presently in a medically induced coma to treat severe head injuries.

Read more:
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Business+&+Finance/Industry+Sectors/Tourism/Hotels

Donald Trump, Lender Agree to Buy Bankrupt Trump Entertainment

Aug. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump and an affiliate of lender Beal Bank Nevada agreed to invest $100 million in Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. and buy the casino company he founded out of bankruptcy.
Beal Bank agreed to restructure $486 million in secured debt to extend the maturity to December 2020 from 2012, Atlantic City-based Trump Entertainment said yesterday in a statement. Shareholders and holders of debt securities will receive nothing under the plan, which requires court approval.

Read more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601205&sid=aee2VV2TR7Bs

Brazilian Hotels Raise Prices as Rio Lures Tourists in Downturn

Aug. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Accor SA, Marriott International Inc. and independent hotel operators in Brazil raised average daily rates by 5.5 percent in the first half to the highest since 2005 as destinations including Rio de Janeiro lured travelers.
Rates in Rio, the beach city known for Carnival parties and samba music, climbed 12 percent from a year earlier in local currency, according to Smith Travel Research Inc. data. Occupancy rose 5.6 percent even as it fell 7 percent nationwide.

Read more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601205&sid=a6.9e5W4b_.Q

Rubio's Restaurants Reports 2009 Second Quarter Results

Q2 Revenues Up 8% to Record $48.7 Million; Q2 Net Income Up 53% to $512,000 or $0.05 per Share, Driving Fifth Consecutive Quarter of Adjusted EBITDA Growth to $3.9 Million or $0.39 per Share

Read more:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=117023&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1316027&highlight=

Gordon Ramsay’s New York venue hit by cash and quality allegations

Gordon Ramsay’s flagship operation at the London Hotel in New York, is being pursued by creditors and has been hit by complaints from customers about its service and quality of food. According to the assistant restaurant manager Jeffrey Giordano, who resigned on Thursday, there is also an infestation of fruit flies behind the bar and a dead mouse was discovered in an air conditioning unit as diners ate their lunch two weeks ago.

Read more:
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2009/08/03/329059/gordon-ramsays-new-york-venue-hit-by-cash-and-quality.html

Hotel industry operating metrics are showing no signs of improvement

The lodging industry is facing significant challenges stemming from the economic recession, as both business and consumers are cutting back on travel expenditures. When evaluating hotel companies like Starwood (NYSE: HOT - News) and Marriott (NYSE: MAR - News) during this down cycle, we will be paying especially close attention to changes in average daily room rates as an indication of how quickly the sector may recover once the economy improves.

Read more:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hotels-zacks-3628646743.html?x=0

June 2009 Canadian Lodging Outlook

Published in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes occupancy and average room rates from major cities in Canada.

Read more:
http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/pdf8/Canadian%20Lodging%20Outlook%20June%202009.pdf

Search is on for the Best Pub Sausage

Mail your suggestions today. . . .
The best pub bangers in the business are once again being invited to compete for the prestigious title of Best Pub Pork Sausage.

Entries need to be submitted to BPEX by Monday, September 14. The bangers will be rigorously judged by a team from The Publican.

And remember that British Sausage Week runs from November 2 to 8. It is extremely important that everyone book their hotel rooms early.

Entries for the pub category are also free to enter other categories in the Foodservice Pork Sausage of the Year 2009 competition, which are:

• Traditional Pork Sausage ( a sausage made with Pork)
• Speciality Pork Sausage ( a sausage made with special Pork)
• Best Innovative Pork Sausage (example: a sausage shaped like a pig)
• Best Pork Sausage (one of the above with a different name)

For entry forms, and more details, go to the BPEX website Pork for Caterers

Great Wolf Resorts Reports 2009 Second Quarter Results

Adjusted EBITDA of $17.3 million Exceeds Top End of Guidance-
MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 2009-- Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:WOLF), North America’s leading family of indoor waterpark resorts, reported results today for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Second Quarter Highlights

•Reported 2009 second quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $17.3 million, a 23.3 percent increase from the second quarter of 2008.
•Same store RevPAR for Generation II resorts declined 5.2 percent on a constant dollar basis in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to the second quarter of 2008.
•Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenues increased 300 basis points year over year, due to tight cost controls and increased revenues from a shift in Easter and many schools’ spring break periods to the second quarter in 2009 compared to the first quarter in 2008.

Read more:
http://corp.greatwolfresorts.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=185610&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1316284&highlight=

Burger King Gets Cooked

On Monday, as the market rallied, the stock of Burger King got burned. In afternoon trading, the stock fell 2.5 percent before closing the day down 1.5 percent. Investors appeared spooked after JPMorgan analyst John Ivankoe downgraded the company from “Overweight” to “Neutral” and slashed his fiscal 2010 earnings-per-share forecast from $1.36 to $1.25.

Read more:
http://www.minyanville.com/articles/YUM-BKC-MCD/index/a/23863/from/yahoo

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2009 Results

Results for the quarter included:
-Comparable restaurant sales decreased 3.7% at company-owned restaurants and decreased 3.5% at franchise restaurants;
-Two company restaurants and one franchise restaurant opened, while one franchise restaurant closed;
-Restaurant margins increased 10 basis points;
-Diluted earnings per share increased 40% to $0.19 from $0.14 in the prior year period.

Read more:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=179897&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1315994&highlight=

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Aug 03, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:TAST), the parent company of Carrols Corporation, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 28, 2009.
Highlights for the second quarter of 2009 versus the second quarter of 2008 include:
-Income from operations increased to $16.1 million from $12.1 million;
-Net income was $7.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share;
-Total revenues were $203.9 million compared to $210.7 million;
-Comparable restaurant sales decreased 3.1% at Pollo Tropical(R), 3.8% at Taco Cabana(R), and 4.7% at Burger King(R).
-As of June 28, 2009, the Company owned and operated 559 restaurants, including 314 Burger King, 91 Pollo Tropical and 154 Taco Cabana restaurants.

Read more:
http://investor.carrols.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=400748

MGM MIRAGE Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

LAS VEGAS, Aug 03, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2009. The Company reported a second quarter diluted loss per share of $0.60 compared to income per share of $0.40 in the prior year second quarter. The current year result was impacted by non-cash impairment charges of $188 million, or $0.34 per diluted share net of tax, primarily related to the Company's investment in a convertible note. The Company also recorded losses on the retirement of long-term debt of $58 million primarily related to the redemption of senior debentures required to permit the Company's recent secured note issuances - an impact of $0.11 per diluted share net of tax.

Read more:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=101502&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=1315638&