Chicago area Hyatt hotel union workers Thursday have authorized a strike.
The action, which does not mean there will be a strike, allows the workers' bargaining unit to call one if necessary.
The employees belong to Unite Here Local 1 and work at four area Hyatts -- the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Park Hyatt, Hyatt McCormick Place, and Hyatt O'Hare.
Last week, union members sat in the street outside the Hyatt Regency Chicago as part of a 15-city demonstration against the hotel chain to protest lack of progress with a new contract. About 25 people were arrested during the protest, according to the union, as about 225 demonstrators joined about 500 other demonstrators. A spokesperson said workers have been hit with reduced hours and excessive injury rates -- and that Hyatt wants to cut benefits.
Hyatt workers and 6,500 other hotel workers in downtown Chicago have been in citywide contract negotiations since August of 2009, according to the union.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Apple tries to patent travel, hotel, shopping apps
In its App Store, Apple provides a platform for third-party developers to design and sell mobile applications. But the company also appears to have its eye on patenting a few key types of apps.
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The iPhone App Frequent Travelers Shouldn't Be Without
Now there's an app that seeks to recreate the airport departure and arrival boards on your iPhone (and coming soon to Droid). It's called AirportRemote, and although it's numbers don't flip, they are up-to-the-minute and available for over 100 international airports. Wonder what flight it is that lands at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport at 7:27am? AirportRemote knows, thanks to its use of FlightStats info, that it's Singapore Airlines 490 from Dubai. Via the "share" button, you can forward a screenshot right along to your family or business associates.
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Pizza Hut streamlines menu pricing
Pizza Hut said it is lowering and simplifying the menu prices at its restaurants nationwide, pricing most medium pizzas at $8 and large pizzas at $10.
The $8 and $10 prices are good for pizzas with up to three toppings. There is an additional charge for the chain’s Stuffed Crust Pizza, and specialty pies cost an extra $2, Pizza Hut said Thursday.
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The $8 and $10 prices are good for pizzas with up to three toppings. There is an additional charge for the chain’s Stuffed Crust Pizza, and specialty pies cost an extra $2, Pizza Hut said Thursday.
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DineEquity, Inc. Announces Solid Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results
-- For the quarter, IHOP's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 1.0% and Applebee's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 1.6% compared to the same periods in 2009, which represented Applebee's third consecutive quarter of improvement. Year-to-date, IHOP's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 0.7% and Applebee's domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales decreased 2.2%.
-- Securitized debt was reduced by $25.8 million for the second quarter 2010 and by $80.7 million in the first six months of 2010 primarily due to the use of free cash flow for ongoing debt retirement efforts.
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-- Securitized debt was reduced by $25.8 million for the second quarter 2010 and by $80.7 million in the first six months of 2010 primarily due to the use of free cash flow for ongoing debt retirement efforts.
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Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results
Total revenues were $89.0 million compared to prior year at $86.4 million.
Net income available to preferred and common shareholders was $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $2.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2009. The second quarter of 2010 included a net benefit of $0.3 million or $0.01 per diluted share. The second quarter of 2009 included net charges of $0.7 million or $0.03 per diluted share.
Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Ruth's Chris Steak House increased 2.9%. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Mitchell's Fish Market increased 0.9%.
Food and beverage costs, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 60 basis points to 29.3%, which was primarily driven by unfavorable beef costs.
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Net income available to preferred and common shareholders was $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $2.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2009. The second quarter of 2010 included a net benefit of $0.3 million or $0.01 per diluted share. The second quarter of 2009 included net charges of $0.7 million or $0.03 per diluted share.
Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Ruth's Chris Steak House increased 2.9%. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Mitchell's Fish Market increased 0.9%.
Food and beverage costs, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 60 basis points to 29.3%, which was primarily driven by unfavorable beef costs.
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Ramsay’s Maze Cape Town Closes
Maze Cape Town, the African outpost of chef Gordon Ramsay’s dining empire, has closed after more than a year in business at the One & Only hotel.
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Restaurants Start Getting Grades in New York City
After months of controversy, the first of New York City's 24,000 restaurants received a letter grade for cleanliness and food safety under the city health department's new program.
Spark's Deli, a 24-seat eatery in Queens, got an "A" on Wednesday after a two-hour inspection the day before, the Wall Street Journal reported. Restaurants around the city will receive A, B or C grades which must be displayed in restaurant windows.
The city also unveiled a new restaurant inspection web site, designed to help customers make restaurant decisions based on hygiene practices and food safety, health department deputy commissioner Daniel Kass told the New York Times.
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Spark's Deli, a 24-seat eatery in Queens, got an "A" on Wednesday after a two-hour inspection the day before, the Wall Street Journal reported. Restaurants around the city will receive A, B or C grades which must be displayed in restaurant windows.
The city also unveiled a new restaurant inspection web site, designed to help customers make restaurant decisions based on hygiene practices and food safety, health department deputy commissioner Daniel Kass told the New York Times.
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Former Mets, Yankees star Darryl Strawberry stepping up to restaurant plate with Queens eatery
More restaurants add `Miami Spice' to the menu
When the economy was booming, some of Miami's higher-end restaurants didn't see the benefit of Miami Spice's discount dining. Others participated but didn't readily promote the menu. They saw no need to cater to bargain-hunters.
Not anymore.
With the South Florida economy still sputtering, a record number of restaurateurs are looking at the two-month, off-season promotion that starts Sunday as a key tool for generating extra business. Last year, restaurants sold 150,000 Miami Spice meals during August and September.
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Not anymore.
With the South Florida economy still sputtering, a record number of restaurateurs are looking at the two-month, off-season promotion that starts Sunday as a key tool for generating extra business. Last year, restaurants sold 150,000 Miami Spice meals during August and September.
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China Lodging Group, Limited Reports Second Quarter Of 2010 Financial Results
Net Revenues for the second quarter increased 39.2% year-over-year to RMB438.9 million (US$64.7 million, note 1), exceeding guidance of RMB395 to RMB415 million
Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited for the second quarter increased 185% year-over-year to RMB79.7 million (US$11.8 million)
Occupancy rate reached 98% and average daily rate ("ADR") RMB196, resulting in revenue per available room (" RevPAR" ) of RMB192, a 15% year-over-year increase
324 hotels were in operation and 159 hotels under development as of June 30, 2010
The Company raised guidance for full year net revenues growth to 35% to 37%, up from previously announced range of 33% to 35%
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Net income attributable to China Lodging Group, Limited for the second quarter increased 185% year-over-year to RMB79.7 million (US$11.8 million)
Occupancy rate reached 98% and average daily rate ("ADR") RMB196, resulting in revenue per available room (" RevPAR" ) of RMB192, a 15% year-over-year increase
324 hotels were in operation and 159 hotels under development as of June 30, 2010
The Company raised guidance for full year net revenues growth to 35% to 37%, up from previously announced range of 33% to 35%
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Alton Towers Resort bans sex in some hotel rooms
A theme park in England has banned sex in some of its hotel rooms after repeated complaints from guests that romping couples were disturbing their kids.
Bosses at the Alton Towers resort in Staffordshire took action after a string of families complained that they were kept awake by noises from adjacent rooms.
One guest complained the noises coming from the next-door room were "louder than the screams from the theme park rides."
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Bosses at the Alton Towers resort in Staffordshire took action after a string of families complained that they were kept awake by noises from adjacent rooms.
One guest complained the noises coming from the next-door room were "louder than the screams from the theme park rides."
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Tip Misappropriation Lawsuit Against Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich Expands
NEW YORK, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The restaurant empire owned by Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich allegedly violated federal and state labor laws, according to an amended lawsuit filed Thursday in New York federal court on behalf of 11 current and former employees. The initial lawsuit named one restaurant owned by Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, as a defendant.
The amended lawsuit adds five more restaurants owned by Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich as defendants – Bar Jamon, Casa Mono, Lupa Osteria Romana, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria in New York City, and Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, New York.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of hourly food service workers employed by Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich, alleges violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the New York Labor Law (NYLL). The workers are represented by Outten & Golden LLP in New York, and Joseph, Herzfeld, Hester & Kirschenbaum LLP in New York.
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The amended lawsuit adds five more restaurants owned by Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich as defendants – Bar Jamon, Casa Mono, Lupa Osteria Romana, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria in New York City, and Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, New York.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of hourly food service workers employed by Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich, alleges violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the New York Labor Law (NYLL). The workers are represented by Outten & Golden LLP in New York, and Joseph, Herzfeld, Hester & Kirschenbaum LLP in New York.
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