Worldwide briefing

Action stopped

A judge in the US state of Georgia has refused to certify as a class action a $100m lawsuit against family restaurant chain Cracker Barrel that alleged discrimination against black customers. Cracker Barrel has always denied the claims. The judge said the plaintiffs had failed to prove a common set of circumstances, needed to justify a national class action lawsuit.

Mövenpick signs

Swiss-based Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract for a $50m, five-star hotel being built in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. The 223-bedroom property will be operational by early November.

Serbia goes Private

The government of Serbia has started privatisation procedures for 28 hotel and catering companies, with 10 tenders taking place during October and November and two firms to be sold in February.

Marbella New-build

Spanish hotel company NH Hoteles has invested €13.2m (£8.3m) in a new four-star, 163-bedroom hotel in Marbella, Spain. Facilities include three function rooms a restaurant, bar-cafeteria with terrace, and a fitness centre.

Marriott results

US-based hotel group Marriott International has reported profits up by $2m to $103m during the three months to 7 September. But the figure was boosted by a tax credit from its synthetic fuel business. In hotels, average room rate fell by 5.1% and occupancy dropped slightly to 72.9%.