Hard Rock hotel fires back in trademark lawsuit, claims ‘harassment’

The Las Vegas Hard Rock hotel-casino is hitting back in a trademark lawsuit filed by the owner of the Hard Rock brand, charging in a counterclaim that Hard Rock Cafe International is interfering with its business in Nevada and other states.
"The (Las Vegas) Hard Rock defendants have done nothing wrong and, in fact, are victims of systematic legal and business harassment by the cafe, which today’s countersuit seeks to remedy," last week's counterclaim says.

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NY landmarks agency OKs change to De Niro's hotel .

NEW YORK — New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved plans to make the penthouse roof smaller on Robert De Niro's Manhattan hotel.
The commission originally approved plans in 2008 for the Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan. The roof was not part of that design. It was built anyway, and now has to be changed.
De Niro's architect came back with a modified plan, which was approved on Tuesday.
The actor was present for the vote, but did not speak.
No deadline was set for making the change.

Ted’s Montana Grill closes locations as sales slow

The three area Ted’s Montana Grill restaurants closed Monday because of declining sales.
The restaurants — in Leawood, the Power & Light District and Kansas City, Kan. — had about 30 employees each.
Ted Turner, CNN founder/entrepreneur/philanthropist/environmentalist, founded the chain with George McKerrow Jr. in 2002.
McKerrow had more than 30 years in the restaurant business and was the founder of LongHorn Steakhouse. He also was a former board member of the National Restaurant Association.

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Rock Bottom, Old Chicago and Chophouse restaurants sold

Louisville-based Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc., which operates stores including Rock Bottom Breweries, Old Chicago and The ChopHouse, and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group Inc., with one Colorado operation at FlatIron Crossings, have been acquired by Centerbridge Capital Partners, L.P., a private equity firm.
The new company will be called CraftWorks Restaurants and Beweries, Inc. as a result of Monday's acquisition. The combined business becomes the nation's leading operator and franchiser of brewery and craft beer-focused casual dining restaurants with nearly 200 owned and franchised locations across the United States.

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