Jerry and Staci Diaz at QuarterFest 2009

TRT Holdings attempts to takeover the Gaylord Entertainment Company

Analysts say some investors balked at the so-called takeover attempt, while others are open to a new direction for the hotelier.

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“Anyone looking at stock returns can see this company has not done well,” says Nell Minow, editor of The Corporate Library. “The question is whether anybody that challenges it can do better.”

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Texas billionaire Robert Rowling, owner of investment firm TRT Holdings, which owns luxury hotel brand Omni Hotels, told shareholders last week that he planned to nominate himself and three other directors to Gaylord’s board, criticizing the company’s poor performance and bad business decisions.

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Mr. Rowling said, "We believe that we can assist the Board and management team in their efforts to create value for all Gaylord shareholders. We approached Gaylord's Board and management in an attempt to discuss improving the Company's financial and operating performance and were rebuffed. As a result, we have decided to take our message directly to Gaylord's shareholders. TRT seeks to bring a disciplined business approach, accountability to shareholders, and a fresh perspective based on industry experience. We believe that Gaylord's Board and management have failed to adequately deliver in these areas."

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About TRT Holdings
TRT Holdings is a privately-owned, diversified holding company located in Irving, Texas. Assets include the luxury hotel brand, Omni Hotels, Gold's Gym International, Tana Exploration, Waldo's Dollar Mart in Mexico and numerous investments in public companies and various real estate ventures.

Gaylord to buy San Antonio hotel

Gaylord Entertainment Co. will make the biggest hotel acquisition in its history under a deal announced Monday by the Nashville-based lodging company.

Gaylord will pay $252.5 million for the Westin La Cantera Resort, a suburban San Antonio hotel with 508 rooms, 39,000 square feet of meeting space, two golf courses and a 691-acre campus. The company also plans to pour $250 million into a three-year expansion effort that will nearly double the number of rooms and quadruple its meeting space.

“This is a premium property in that market place that fits very well with what we’re trying to do,” said David Kloeppel, Gaylord’s chief financial officer.

The deal, which could wrap up early next year, is the first step in Gaylord’s strategy to supplement its core, convention center hotels with smaller resorts.



Visit the Tennessean newspaper to read the entire story of this purchase.

Bush, Buns and the Border

By DEB RIECHMANN
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn.

At a town-hall style meeting, Bush also rebuffed a question about whether he would consider pardoning two Border Patrol agents in prison for the cover-up of the shooting of a drug trafficker in Texas.

"No, I won't make you that promise," Bush told a woman who asked about a possible pardon. Many Republicans in Congress have said the men should not have been convicted and have criticized the federal U.S. attorney for even prosecuting the agents.

"I know it's an emotional issue but people need to look at the facts. These men were convicted by a jury of their peers after listening to the facts" as presented by U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, said Bush. Bush called Sutton a friend.

The president also toured a bun bakery here, and used the business to illustrate a warning to Congress that he'd veto any government spending bill that he thinks is excessive.

"You can't keep making buns if the Democrats take all your dough," Bush joked in a speech shortly after taking in the aroma of fresh bread at the bakery, which supplies fast-food restaurants.


Read the entire article in the Washington Post

The Bar-B-Cutie Goes to Kentucky and Across the Country

A 57-year-old Nashville chain called Bar-B-Cutie has been running anonymous classified ads seeking franchisees in the Bluegrass.

Greg George, director of franchise development, says Lexington will get its first Bar-B-Cutie in 90 to 120 days. Several locations are being considered. Potential franchisees in Winchester and Mount Sterling are also discussing deals.

Most are professionals who are "tired of the grind and want to be on their own," he said.
Bar-B-Cutie's symbol is a cartoon cowgirl with long, blond hair and red short-shorts. "Get your booty to Bar-B-Cutie!" is the company's slogan.

The menu includes "hickory pit BBQ, baby back ribs, chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef, 18 sides and a host of Southern lunch and dinner menu items."

The concept is fast casual, George said. The average visit lasts 20 to 25 minutes. "People like quick," he adds.

He didn't mention cheap. People like that, too.

This story is from Kentucky.com
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And now...more Bar-B-Cutie News

Barbecue Restaurant Franchise, Bar-B-Cutie® Bursts Into Summer With Biggest Opening Yet
Hays, KS (June, 2007) –

Record breaking sales make the Hays, KS store the biggest franchise store opening in Bar-B-Cutie® history! Anticipation has grown over time ever since an interstate billboard near Hays, KS first featured the Nashville, TN based Bar-B-Cutie® logo with the words "COMING SOON."

"Residents of Hays have been anxiously awaiting Bar-B-Cutie's home cooked veggies, hickory smoked bar-b-que, and mouthwatering baby back ribs for some time now," states Christie McFarland, Bar-B-Cutie® Franchise Systems Director of Marketing, "I have responded to many emails regarding the Hays' store opening."

Janna and Jeff Pinney, who own and operate the Hays Bar-B-Cutie®, have been blown away by the overwhelming response their community has had since they opened their doors last Wednesday. "Each day has gotten busier", says Brett McFarland, BFS COO, "This community is amazing!

The people seem to be ecstatic about Bar-B-Cutie®. The enthusiasm here is unbelievable!"Bar-B-Cutie recently released a new franchise opportunity video. The company's 3-4 minute information Bar-B-Cutie's® video has been placed on their new corporate website. The video has also been uploaded to You Tube and the popular My Space.com. "Over the 57 years Bar-B-Cutie® has been in existence, marketing strategies have immensely evolved. Since we began franchising, we have used technology marketing as one of our primary overall growth strategies," states Brett McFarland, company COO.

Bar-B-Cutie® is a 57 year old fast casual barbecue concept that is famous for hickory pit BBQ, baby back ribs, chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef, 18 sides and a host of Southern lunch and dinner menu items. Bar-B-Cutie® is growing their Brand thru national franchising. The fast casual model offers: dine-in, take out, drive thru and catering. The company has new stores opening in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Delaware.

About Bar-B-Cutie®

Bar-B-Cutie® is a 57 year old fast casual barbecue restaurant and catering company that is expanding thru franchising in the United States. The company is currently one of America's fastest growing BBQ concepts.

This story is from Area Developer