Illinois Local Smoking Ban Legislation Goes Down In Flames
Illinois House Bill 3996, which would allow any town the ability to seek a smoking ban, failed….[full story]

Kansas City Looks At Changes In Inspections, Operations
Operators in Kansas City, Mo., may soon be looking at a raft of changes….[full story]

Dallas Restaurants May Have To Post Inspection Scores
The Dallas Health Department may require restaurants to post inspection ratings, report-card style….[full story]

Indiana To Require Restaurants To Have Certified Food Handler On Staff
Indiana’s roughly 20,000 restaurants, grocery stores, vendors and gas stations that sell food will be required to have a certified food handler on staff by….[full story]

NSF Offers Training Course On Restaurant Plan Review
NSF has debuted a training course on Restaurant Plan Review….[full story]

Fed Boosts Interest Rates Quarter-Point As Blue Chip Economists Forecast Strong Growth
As expected, the Federal Reserve Bank raised its key short-term interest rates a quarter point to 1.25% at its meeting June 29-30….[full story]

FER Raises 2004 E&S Market Growth Forecast
With upbeat indicators all around, Foodservice Equipment Reports has revised upward its 2004 forecast…[full story]

Public E&S Companies Report Robust First Quarter 2004 Growth
Strong gains were on the ticker as 10 major public foodservice equipment and supplies companies reported first quarter 2004 sales and profit….[full story]

Big Chains Lead Market As NPD Reports Foodservice Grew At Fastest Rate Since 2002
With a 0.8% traffic gain and slightly rising check average, dollar growth at restaurants grew at a robust 2.7% during the Winter Quarter….[full story]

NAFEM, MAFSI Indices Show E&S Growth 1st Quarter 2004
The equipment and supplies market improved in the first quarter of 2004….[full story]

Consumer Sentiment, Expectations Show Strong Gains In University of Michigan Survey
Fueled by continuing jobs growth and moderating inflation expectations,….[full story]

Ispat, Whirlpool Reach Temporary Agreement On Steel Contract Dispute
Whitewater from steel’s recent high prices goes ’round and ’round….[full story]

Texas-Sized Sales Tax Exemption On Food Equipment
If you’re an operator in Texas, you should note you can save money on new equipment purchases….[full story]

Bob Evan’s Buys Mimi’s Café
Bob Evans Farms has signed an agreement to acquire Mimi’s Café for $182 million in cash and….[full story]

Ultimate Franchise Systems Acquires Obee’s
Ultimate Franchise Systems, a franchise management company out of Heathrow, Fla., added a new restaurant brand to its growing collection….[full story]