Restaurants

Friendly's files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 12:24pm

NEW YORK (AP) - The parent of the Friendly's restaurant chain is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and says it has already closed 63 of its stores -- including six in the Capital Region.

The 76-year-old company known for its ice cream and hamburgers says the economic downturn coupled with higher costs and high rents drove it to file for bankruptcy protection.

Friendly Ice Cream Corp., based in Wilbraham, Mass., says it has secured $70 million in financing and that its 424 remaining restaurants will stay open as it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection. Gift cards will continue to be honored.

It says the store closings and its reorganization efforts will better position it for the future.

Its current owners, Sun Capital Partners, will be the lead, or "stalking horse" bidders, in an auction process.

Here is a complete list of stores closing...

CAPITAL REGION

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McDonald's holds 'National Hiring Day'

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011, 5:41pm

WATERVLIET- Along with Happy Meals and McNuggets, McDonalds was dishing up something else today, 50,000 jobs nationwide.

Today was national hiring day, an opportunity to hire 400 new workers in the Capital Region and get some publicity at the same time.

NewsChannel 13’s John McLoughlin was at the McDonald’s in Watervliet, where he says there was been a steady stream of applicants despite the jobs are all entry level starting at minimum wage.

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Fast food consumers encouraged to count calories

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Monday, April 4th, 2011, 5:52pm

GUILDERLAND - You may not think of it when you order fast food, the number of calories you're swallowing. For instance, a standard breakfast platter with pancakes? Over 1300 calories. That bacon cheeseburger combo meal?

"1010," pronounced State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, at a media event Monday.

Health officials say that's too much, launching a campaign called "I Choose 600" to get New Yorkers to limit the calories in each meal.

"600 is the magic number because 600 times three meals plus a snack is 2000 calories we should be having a day for an average adult," said Shah.

But Shah said too many people exceed 2000 calories a day, with larger portions and eating on-the-go.

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Pittsfield restaurant plans to open in Albany

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Monday, January 10th, 2011, 1:00pm

A successful food franchise in Pittsfield, Massachusetts now hopes to feed college students in Albany. "Hot Harry’s Fresh Burritos" plans to open a franchise in University Plaza on Western Avenue on the border of the University at Albany campus.

“We targeted the neighborhood near the SUNY campus some time ago and have been biding our time waiting for the right property to become available. To say we are thrilled to be in Albany is an understatement,” said Samir Abdallah in a statement. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the business has developed as a franchise operation.”

The franchisees, Tim and Kim Donnelly, of Coxsackie have also committed to opening another Hot Harry’s in Glenmont Centre Square at 365 Feura Bush Road, which will be open in Fall 2011.

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Extra tax no matter how you slice it

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010, 11:03pm

ALBANY - How would you like your bagel, sliced or whole?

If your choice is sliced it’s costing you a bit extra.

According to the Tax and Finance Department, the sale of whole bagels and a tub of cream cheese aren’t taxable, but if the food is handled in anyway, such as buying a sliced bagel with cream cheese it’s taxable.

Therefore, “the preparation of the item is key,” said Brad Maione, the public information officer of the Tax and Finance Department. Maione says if there’s any slicing or toppings involved, it’s taxable. If you could buy the same item in a grocery store, it’s not taxable.

According to the Wall Street Journal, when the Tax and Finance Department audited the owner of 33 Bruegger’s Bagels franchises, Kenneth Greene was found in violation of this clause, and is now tacking on about 8 cents a bagel to those ordering.

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Trans fat ban gives Albany County bakers a bad taste

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010, 4:42pm

COLONIE - Bakery owner Rachel Cocca-Dott was brought to tears discussing the problems and complaints Albany County's trans fat ban is bringing to her business and its 19 employees.

"All of a sudden you see a lady who left an hour ago coming back with the box, and my stomach, it just hits because now I have to get my baker on," said Cocca-Dott. "I'm paying my people overtime to redo the stuff. It's rough right now."

Following the lead of New York City, Albany County has banned trans fats in restaurants and bake shops.

Restaurants seem to be dealing with the changes, but Rachel and several other bakers have resisted -- arguing the ban is changing the taste and texture of products, especially cakes. She also says it is unfair that supermarkets and national stores with bakery departments don't have to follow the same law.

Long-time Cohoes legislator Gil Ethier agrees.

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