Snippets

NH Rejects Suitor
Spanish hotel group NH Hoteles has rejected a £186 million bid by smaller rival Hesperia to acquire 26 per cent of its shares. NH said the bid was "a long way from reflecting the real value of NH Hoteles". It added that any offer aimed at taking control of the company should be for the whole of its share capital.

Dunkin' Donuts Dismisses Lawsuit
Allied Domecq has rejected a Cdn$7 million (£3 million) lawsuit by a group of Dunkin' Donuts franchisees in Quebec, Canada. The franchisees claim the parent company made marketing, advertising and management errors. Allied Domecq said it had invested millions of dollars over the past few years to support the Quebec market and its franchisees.

Starwood Sells 14 Hotels
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has agreed to sell 14 "non-strategic" properties in the USA for about US$312 million (£ 190 million) to a group of property investors. The portfolio includes 4,171 bedrooms and is comprised of eight Sheratons, two Westins, one Marriott, two Hiltons, and one independent hotel across 11 states. Starwood is also negotiating to sell a further four hotels.

Mad Cow Case Hits Hamburger Chains
Shares in large US hambuger chains and other restaurant companies have been hit by the discovery of a case of "mad cow disease" in Alberta, Canada. Macdonald's tried to reassure customers by stating that it had "the highest beef safety standards and will continue to strictly enforce them."

San Francisco Restaurant Cull
Nearly 170 restaurants have been lost in San Francisco in the past two years as a result of the gloomy economy, says a report from the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. And in the first two months of 2003, 83 table-service restaurants surrendered their licences, compared with only 33 new licences issued, making a net loss of 50 restaurants.