Worldwide briefing

Essential news from around the world…

Days Inn will ensure disabled access

US budget hotel chain Days Inn has agreed to make hundreds of its hotels more accessible to the disabled. The agreement came after the US Justice Department filed five lawsuits against Days Inn, alleging that it had broken the law by failing to ensure disabled people had equal access. The company will set up a $4.75m fund for interest-free loans so franchisees can renovate existing hotels to comply with the law.

Rainforest blues

Themed restaurant chain Rainforest Café has warned that its sales during the final quarter of this year are likely to fall below market expectations. It now expects sales of between $60m and $63m. Like-for-like sales in the 15 restaurants open for at least 18 months fell by 12.1% during November, the company said. There are 37 Rainforest Cafés worldwide.

Canadian chains combine

Toronto-based Scott's Restaurants and Kentucky-based Tricon Restaurants are combining their Canadian operations. The new company will operate 639 Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell restaurants in Canada, making it the largest fast-food operator in the country.

Midlantic accent

Midlantic Hotels, a newly formed company based in Dublin, has signed a deal giving it exclusive rights to develop Candlewood Suites extended-stay hotels in Germany and Switzerland. The first opens in Berlin next summer. Midlantic, which is backed by Swiss, German and UK investors, also has options to open Candlewood Suites elsewhere in Europe, including the UK.