Daily News Clips
The content of and any views expressed in the following articles are those of the reporters/news sources and are not necessarily those of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Industry News
QSR Magazine
Self-Service Kiosks Grow in Popularity
North American consumers continue to embrace self-service technology, as transactions at self-service kiosks will surpass $775 billion in 2009. This will grow to over $1.6 trillion by 2013, according to a new research study conducted by the IHL Group.
"We expect continued double-digit growth in the revenue generated by self-service transactions, particularly as retailers, restaurants, and transportation authorities offer more devices in more locations," says Lee Holman, lead retail analyst of the IHL Group, an analyst firm and consultancy that serves retailers and retail technology vendors.
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QSR Magazine
The Grapes of Cash
Can wine work on quick-service menus? More restaurants are finding that, in fact, it can.
There is a scene in “Sideways,” the 2004 film about an oenophile and his friend road tripping through California’s wine country, where the protagonist, Miles, visits a fast-food restaurant. Having recently suffered humiliations including the rejection of his novel and advances toward the woman he loves, Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, unceremoniously drinks his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc from a plastic foam cup over a burger and onion rings.
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Miami Herald
Despite economy, South Florida hotels fill up for weekend
Don't let a recession fool you. Hotel reservations this Fourth of July weekend might not be so easy to get.
Reduced rates, a Friday holiday, and aggressive efforts by hotels to fill beds with local visitors have combined to make the upcoming weekend busier than dismal unemployment figures and stock tables might suggest.
''We will sell out,'' said Sarah Murov, spokeswoman for South Beach's largest hotel, the Loews Miami Beach.
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Nation’s Restaurant News
Studies show waning optimism among restaurateurs
Newly released research from a trio of sources points to slowed restaurant industry sales trends and weakened consumer confidence in the early summer months, snapping a string of recent positive news that had sparked operator optimism.
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South Florida Business Journal
Restaurant outlook dampens
Restaurants continue to see a decline in customers. Restaurant operators reported negative same-store sales for the 12th consecutive month in May, according to the National Restaurant Association.
A total of 60 percent of operators saw lower May sales compared to a year ago, while 26 percent said sales were up.
The association also says restaurant operators reported negative customer traffic levels in May, the 21st consecutive month of traffic declines.
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Government Relations
National Restaurant Association
http://www.restaurant.org/government/Issues/Issue.cfm?Issue=cardcheck&CFID=18199271&CFTOKEN=25596198
Employee Free Choice Act - The Affects on Food Service
Organized labor’s top priority this Congress is clearly the "Employee Free Choice Act." The measure would dramatically change U.S. labor law. Today, employees are entitled to a private-ballot election when deciding whether they want union representation in their workplace. Elections are overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, which has numerous procedures in place to ensure fair, fraud-free elections. Because of NLRB safeguards, employees can cast their vote confidentially, without peer pressure or coercion from unions or employers.
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St. Petersburg Times
Sink hires a lawyer and McCollum draws an ethics complaint
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has hired lawyer Mark Herron to represent her in her ethics complaint on charges that she used the state plane to transport her family and to commute to her Tampa home. Tallahassee lawyer and Republican activist Jose Blas Lorenzo filed the complaint against Sink.
Meanwhile Democratic activist Ken Quinnell brags today on his Twitter page that he's just filed a complaint against Attorney General Bill McCollum ''for misuse of the state plane.'' No word back from Quinnell, but stay tuned.
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Washington Post
Wal-Mart Endorses Employer Mandate
After years of strenuous opposition, Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, announced yesterday that it supports a controversial proposal requiring businesses to contribute to the cost of employee health insurance.
The retailing giant's endorsement comes as the push and pull on health reform intensifies, and it could have broad economic and political consequences. Many business groups, displeased with the shape of the legislation that has emerged so far, have begun to mobilize against President Obama's top domestic priority.
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Florida Capital News
152 new laws take effect today
Driving without a seatbelt just got more expensive and cigarette smokers will pay another nickel every time they light up, under new laws enacted by the 2009 Florida Legislature.
Cops will have to be more careful about which drug offenders get used as confidential informants, the state will build a DNA database with samples from everyone accused of a felony and the cost of traffic violations and visits to state parks are going up.
Of the 152 new Florida laws with July 1 effective dates, notable in everyday life will be "primary enforcement" of the seatbelt law and a wide range of fee increases.
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Florida Capital News
Ex-Dem chairman to take on Rehwinkel Vasilinda
Leon County Democratic Party Chairman Rick Minor resigned and began a campaign to unseat state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda on Tuesday.
Minor said the incumbent supported offshore oil drilling, opposed the Equal Rights Amendment and was weak on organized-labor issues in her first legislative session. Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a law instructor at Tallahassee Community College, called his criticism "interesting" and said she expects a vigorous re-election campaign next year.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Industry News
Lakeland Ledger
Florida Offshore Oil-Drilling Risks Outweigh Rewards
One catastrophic spill, such as the 500-gallon oil spill off a Louisiana rig in June 2006 that killed hundreds of endangered pelicans in a national wildlife refuge is all it would take to ruin the only viable economic engine that Florida has, the $50 billion tourism industry. It is concerning that state Rep. Seth McKeel [R-Lakeland] leads the push for offshore oil drilling while he represents the people in Polk County.
Rep. McKeel stated that he has met with three different citizens' groups and has had zero opposition. I suggest Rep. McKeel talk to the Polk Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. He may find there is strong opposition to offshore drilling from those constituents he represents in the hospitality industry.
As an FRLA board member in both Polk and Pinellas County, I see the risks that can come from dirty-and-outdated offshore drilling.
Pollution comes from everyday operations on oil rigs. Oil spills from platforms, pipelines and tankers do happen, despite better technology. According to the Minerals Management Service, we can expect one oil spill per year of at least 1,000 barrels in the Gulf of Mexico in the next 40 years, and a spill of 10,000 barrels every three to four years.
The risk outweigh the meager amounts of oil these proposals produce. I respectively suggest Rep. McKeel spend more time at the beach and think about the future of Florida's beaches before pushing for a simplistic answer to improving our economy.
GRANT W. PICHÉ
Vice-President of Community Affairs, Polk FRLA
Board Member, Pinellas FRLA
Winter Haven
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Orlando Sentinel
My Word: Orlando has a serious side By Doug Gehret
The Orlando Sentinel recently gave front-page attention to the possibility of Orlando's inclusion on a rumored "black list" of travel destinations that are perceived to be inappropriate for meetings due to their perception as "fun."
Whether or not such a list exists, Orlando's positioning has always focused on family fun and leisure travel. However, the idea that Orlando is an inappropriate meetings destination because of this misses the reality of what is occurring in our local travel market. The truth is that Orlando today is much more than a destination for theme-park visitors.
Orlando has matured significantly since the Magic Kingdom opened its gates in 1971. We now have tremendous art museums and galleries, high-end shopping, and restaurants that rival those in major cities from New York to San Diego. In the coming months, we will have a new events center to host the best sporting events and concerts. We will have a new performing-arts center to present world-class ballet, music, opera and educational programs.
Our downtown is positioned to offer a vibrant 24-hour lifestyle of living, working and playing as the economy rebounds. We owe much to the theme parks and should always celebrate, promote and appreciate the experiences they offer guests to Orlando. But they are no longer the singular offering of this community.
Whether or not such a list exists, Orlando's positioning has always focused on family fun and leisure travel. However, the idea that Orlando is an inappropriate meetings destination because of this misses the reality of what is occurring in our local travel market. The truth is that Orlando today is much more than a destination for theme-park visitors.
Orlando has matured significantly since the Magic Kingdom opened its gates in 1971. We now have tremendous art museums and galleries, high-end shopping, and restaurants that rival those in major cities from New York to San Diego. In the coming months, we will have a new events center to host the best sporting events and concerts. We will have a new performing-arts center to present world-class ballet, music, opera and educational programs.
Our downtown is positioned to offer a vibrant 24-hour lifestyle of living, working and playing as the economy rebounds. We owe much to the theme parks and should always celebrate, promote and appreciate the experiences they offer guests to Orlando. But they are no longer the singular offering of this community.
With a renewed focus on making responsible business choices, companies and organizations strive to make smart decisions when choosing both a hotel and a destination for their meetings and conventions. Today's environment encourages a more serious, business-focused setting.
To support this, a significant number of business- and meeting-oriented hotel rooms are being brought online in Orlando in the near future. My property, the 1,400-room Hilton Orlando being built adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, is a perfect example of this. Our focus will be on serving serious meetings and providing support to meeting planners. We are building a serious meeting and convention hotel with great recreational amenities in a vibrant and quickly maturing city.
So, when we bring planners and media to our property for its opening in September, we'll be visiting the museums at Loch Haven Park, the shops on Park Avenue and the restaurants that illustrate Orlando's culinary distinction. Theme-park visits will be coordinated for our guests before or after our program, which has an agenda that is primarily designed to highlight everything else Orlando now has to offer.
Chicago, Cincinnati and Knoxville may be perceived as more "grown-up" than Orlando. Let them keep that distinction. The reality is that we have the best of all worlds and should demand that we're recognized for it.
Doug Gehret is general manager of Hilton Orlando.
To support this, a significant number of business- and meeting-oriented hotel rooms are being brought online in Orlando in the near future. My property, the 1,400-room Hilton Orlando being built adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, is a perfect example of this. Our focus will be on serving serious meetings and providing support to meeting planners. We are building a serious meeting and convention hotel with great recreational amenities in a vibrant and quickly maturing city.
So, when we bring planners and media to our property for its opening in September, we'll be visiting the museums at Loch Haven Park, the shops on Park Avenue and the restaurants that illustrate Orlando's culinary distinction. Theme-park visits will be coordinated for our guests before or after our program, which has an agenda that is primarily designed to highlight everything else Orlando now has to offer.
Chicago, Cincinnati and Knoxville may be perceived as more "grown-up" than Orlando. Let them keep that distinction. The reality is that we have the best of all worlds and should demand that we're recognized for it.
Doug Gehret is general manager of Hilton Orlando.
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Nation’s Restaurant News
Report finds Starbucks fans heading to McDonald’s
Although more Starbucks customers are shifting to McDonald’s than previously believed, the rate at which traffic is declining at the upscale coffeehouse giant is slowing, according to an analyst report released Tuesday.
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Small Business Trends
Build Awareness For Your Biz In Your Community
As a small business owner, you have something going for you that larger businesses don’t. You already know who your main audience is. You know because if you’re running a brick and mortar, your main audience are very often the folks located 10, 20, maybe 30 miles from your storefront. Your challenge is to make sure you get on their radar. It’s nice that you know who they are. But you need to make sure that they know who you are.
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Advertising Age
How to Make Your Employees the Voice of Your Brand Online
CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- While many marketers are starting to understand that their employees can be their greatest asset, one small barbecue chain has taken it to an entirely new level. Smokey Bones, a 68-unit franchise concentrated in Florida and on the Eastern seaboard, has given some of its employees second jobs -- as its social marketers.
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Government Relations
Florida Capital News
Poll: Rubio still far behind Crist – but closing gap
Gov. Charlie Crist's lead in the Republican U.S. Senate race is still better than 2-1, but challenger Marco Rubio showed slight progress in a new statewide poll released on Monday.
"There's still such a long way to go, but we think that as more voters learn more about Marco Rubio's idea-driven brand of conservatism, the more we will be able to close the gap," said Alex Burgos, a campaign spokesman for the former state House speaker.
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Florida Environments.com
Most of Fla. delegation remains opposed to drilling
Florida's two U.S. senators and 22 of its 25 representatives have signed a letter to House and Senate leaders reaffirming their opposition to oil drilling that could encroach upon military missions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
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Bradenton Herald
Bennett: I won’t be Senate president
MANATEE — Friendship and a desire to spend more time with his family has prompted Sen. Mike Bennett to withdraw from the race to be the Florida Senate’s next president.
Bennett, R-Bradenton, said Monday he has taken his name out of the running and is now backing Sen. Mike Haridopolos for the leadership post.
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TCPalm
Negron dominates District 28 race for cash
TREASURE COAST — Democrat Bill Ramos continues to sink further behind in the cash-raising portion of the special election to replace retiring state Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.
With five weeks remaining in the contest for the five-county Senate District 28 seat, Ramos has $1 to spend for every $37 currently held by his Republican opponent Joe Negron.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Industry News
Miami Herald
Darden bets on Bahama Breeze
ORLANDO -- Bahama Breeze was one of Orlando-based Darden Restaurants' rising stars after it opened in 1996.
But now some industry experts are skeptical about whether the small chain will ever be a big enough success for Darden to stick with it.
''I don't know if that's going to be a long-term concept that works,'' said R.J. Hottovy, a restaurant-industry analyst for investment-research firm Morningstar.
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WJHG News Channel 7 Panama City
AAA Predicts Slight Increase in Florida Travel
AAA is predicting a drop in nationwide travel over the 4th of July weekend, but Florida may see a slight increase. Tourism revenue was up 2.8 million dollars over estimates in May. Gas prices will play a roll in how many tourists visit Florida this summer.
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Nation’s Restaurant News
San Francisco to require composting of food scraps
SAN FRANCISCO (June 28, 2009) San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom last week signed legislation that will require both city residents and businesses, including restaurants, to compost food scraps, beginning this fall.
Believed to the first mandatory composting law in the nation, the legislation is part of the city’s broader plan to divert 75 percent of resources from landfills by 2010 and to achieve zero waste by 2020.
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Nation’s Restaurant News
Top 100 brands push back at downturn
System growth slows for established players, but some brands still beat expectations
Many of the major U.S. foodservice operators working to build sales and profits as a safeguard against unforeseen expenses in their most recent completed fiscal years found time to be no ally, as recessionary pressures mounted with each passing month. The 36th Annual Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 census of the largest foodservice chains ranked by U.S. systemwide sales shows that the country’s mightiest multiunit operators in their last finished fiscal years pushed up their aggregate total take by 3.85 percent, to $208.11 billion. However, that rate of growth was down substantially from the 5.47-percent year-over-year gain that group managed in the preceding period.
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Government Relations
The Palm Beach Post
Florida attorney general's schedule shows part-time workload
Questions arise about a gubernatorial candidate's schedule of personal and business activities.
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has carried a part-time workload for the past two months, according to his schedule posted on his website.
McCollum, a Republican who announced his candidacy for governor on May 18, has worked an average of about 22 hours a week since May 1, the records show.
During the same period, McCollum has averaged nearly 17 hours a week of ''personal time'' during normal business hours.
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Naples Daily News
Some believe Seminoles will balk at pulling blackjack out of casinos
IMMOKALEE — Is the noose tightening around Seminole Casino Immokalee’s blackjack tables, or will they remain in play?
With nearly two months remaining before a gaming compact between the Seminole Indians and the state must be inked — an agreement in which blackjack and other Class III card games would be removed from the Immokalee casino — tribal leaders remain silent.
Yet, some observers say the deal is bound for failure.
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