Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 31699
Gowrings adds Burger King trio
GOWRINGS, the Thames Valley-based fast food operator, last week bought three Burger King restaurants in the West Country as part of a major expansion plan.
The three outlets - two in Plymouth and one in Torquay - were bought from former Burger King franchisee Peter Moxon and operate under a 20-year franchise agreement.
The company has also just opened its third drive-through restaurant in Wokingham, Berkshire, taking its total number of outlets operating under the brand to nine.
Gowrings, one of Burger King's biggest franchisees, is also negotiating a further acquisition involving a group of stores in the South of England. It hopes to finalise the deal in the next few weeks.
Marriage bill on target
A BILL to allow civil marriages in hotels and stately homes could become law later this year after receiving its second reading in the House of Commons unopposed last week.
The private member's bill, proposed by Tory MP Gyles Brandreth, will now be put to a standing committee. The next stage would be a third reading in the Commons then approval by the House of Lords.
If those hurdles are successfully negotiated, the bill could receive Royal Assent by October.
Choice deal
CHOICE Hotels International has signed an area representation agreement covering 15 countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The deal with hotel development and management group Contract Russia involves the development of 25 hotels under Choice's Clarion, Comfort, Quality and Sleep Inn brands by the end of 1998 and some 70 properties within 10 years.
