Worldwide briefing
Yan Can opener
Yum! Brands, formerly Tricon Global Restaurants, has announced a joint-venture agreement with Hong Kong-based Favorite Restaurants to create Asian fast-food restaurants. The restaurants will be called Yan Can, after TV chef Martin Yan, who will consult on restaurant design and menu development.
Casino crisis over
Las Vegas casino workers have voted to accept the five-year contract agreed by the Culinary Union before its 31 May strike deadline. At the end of the five years, workers should get an additional $3.23 (£2.19) per hour in their wage packets.
Outrigger outreach
Hawaii-based hotel group Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is expanding into New Zealand. The company expects to announce its first New Zealand property soon and has a long-term objective of opening four to six hotels within the next three years.
Hotusa burgeons
Spanish hotel group Hotusa Hoteles has added 24 new three- and four-star hotels to its portfolio. Of these, 19 will open in Italy, including 10 in Rome, four in Florence and three in Venice, plus two hotels in Austria, two in the Czech Republic and one in Portugal. Hotusa currently has about 1,000 hotels in 19 countries around Europe.
Bush in the ‘burg
US President George W Bush stayed at Rocco Forte Hotels' five-star Astoria hotel in St Petersburg when he visited the Russian city recently. The hotel has been refurbished and has joined Leading Hotels of the World.
