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OAK BROOK, IL – Customers around the globe will soon notice something different at McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD). Starting next Monday, the brand will change the look of its iconic red French fry packaging globally with bold, new artwork to celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ in Brasil. In addition, the new fry boxes will be the key to “unlocking” a new Augmented Reality (AR) app that will reward customers with an engaging, virtual trick-shot challenge.

“This is the first time in brand history we’re changing the packaging design of one of our customers’ most favourite menu items on a global scale, and what better reason than to share in the excitement of one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world,” said Steve Easterbrook, Senior Executive Vice President and Global Chief Brand Officer of McDonald’s. “This is about bringing fun, innovative programming to our customers and celebrating our shared love of futbol. We’re excited to be able to do that through an engaging, interactive mobile experience, and of course with our World-Famous Fries.”

The redesign will treat customers and futbol fans with an exclusive collection of original street art that reflects the beauty and passion of the game of futbol. Twelve artists from around the world were chosen to create the special new designs, which will canvas McDonald’s Medium and Large fry boxes in the majority of company-owned and franchised restaurants worldwide and trigger the downloadable app, entitled “McDonald’s GOL!”

Customers can download the app and begin play as soon as they have their specially-designed fry box in-hand. It’s as easy as holding the screen of their mobile device up to the front of the box. As the device recognizes the artwork, a futbol pitch will appear in an AR scene on the screen, with the fry box as the goal and other built-in objects as obstacles. The idea is to “kick” the ball with the flick of a finger and divert or use obstacles to get the ball into the goal.

Created for McDonald’s in collaboration with Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc. and Trigger, the app brings a truly new mobile play experience to customers using the Qualcomm® Vuforia™ mobile vision platform. This app showcases the Vuforia platform’s new cutting-edge Smart Terrain™ feature, representing a technology breakthrough that allows users to build their own play spaces using everyday objects.

“Our digital vision at McDonald’s is to bring an entirely new level of everyday convenience and fun to the world, and our Augmented Reality app is just one example of how we are bringing fun to our customers’ lives,” said Atif Rafiq, McDonald’s Chief Digital Officer. “We are very excited about the numerous opportunities in front of us to bring even more innovative digital experiences to our customers in ways only McDonald’s can do.”

“McDonald’s GOL!” will be compatible with most Android and Apple mobile devices and will be available for download in the Google Play store and Apple App Store™ starting on May 26. Instructions for download will be available on the back of each specially designed fry box or can be found on gol.mcd.com. The new fry boxes will be available throughout the duration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup while supplies last.

The artists showcased on the specially-designed fry boxes include:

Australia: David Spencer, Artwork Title – ‘The Perfect Kick’
Brazil: Eduardo Kobra, Artwork Title – ‘O mundo unido pelo futebol’ (translation: ‘The world united by football’)
Canada: Mügluc, Artwork Title – ‘Unite Together’
China: Hua Tunan, Artwork Title – ‘World of Victory’
England: Ben Mosley, Artwork Title – ‘Fans of the World’
France: Skwak, Artwork Title – ‘The Maniac Football Party’
Germany: Roman Klonek, Artwork Title – ‘Freaky Fan Club’
Japan: Doppel, Artwork Title – ‘Kick the One’
Russia: Egor Koshelev, Artwork Title – ‘The Perfect Goal’
South Africa: Adele Bantjes, Artwork Title – ‘Heart of the Game’
Spain: Martin Satí, Artwork Title – ‘Flamenco Number One’
USA: Tes One, Artwork Title – ‘Formations’
A number of marketing and communication activities are planned to support this program. This includes the online release today of a lively video that features real-life futbol trick-shot talent from around the world.

McDonald’s has been an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of FIFA World Cup for 20 years. Other activities planned to bring the excitement of the Tournament to life worldwide include:

McDonald’s Player Escort Program
McDonald’s will provide 1,408 children (ages 6-10) from 69 countries worldwide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of the Tournament and walk hand-in-hand onto the pitch with their futbol heroes. This marks the largest number of countries participating in the program since McDonald’s first began sponsoring it in 2002.
McDonald’s Ultimate FIFA World Cup™ Football Fan
McDonald’s will bring together some of the most passionate fans from around the world with the “ultimate” trip to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Customers selected as a McDonald’s Ultimate FIFA World Cup Futbol Fan will have the opportunity to attend matches, have their photo taken with the FIFA World Cup Trophy, have VIP treatment at exclusive parties during Tournament, and more. Each market determines the criteria and selection process for their selected fans.
More detailed information on our sponsorship and activation programs, including fact sheets and visuals, can be found by visiting our online media newsroom.

About the Qualcomm® Vuforia™ Platform
Vuforia is a mobile vision platform that enables apps to see and connect the physical world with digital experiences that demand attention, drive engagement, and deliver value. Vuforia is supported by a global ecosystem of more than 100,000 registered developers in 130 countries and has powered more than 9,000 apps for iOS and Android devices. Additional information is available at www.vuforia.com.

Qualcomm Vuforia is a product of Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Qualcomm and Vuforia are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries, used with permission.

About Trigger
Founded in 2005, Trigger is a company of inventors that blends Hollywood Creative with Mobile Innovation, working with a number of global brands like McDonald’s to prototype concepts, market initiatives and develop new digital products. With world-class creative teams in Los Angeles and Shanghai, Trigger transforms great visions into ground breaking mobile experiences for a global audience. Trigger is a pioneer for the movie industry with digital marketing, mobile gaming and augmented reality, developing worldwide campaigns for a variety of top franchises. In addition, Trigger is a Qualcomm portfolio company and a preferred developer for their Augmented Reality technology, Vuforia. For more information about Trigger, please visit www.triggerglobal.com.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global food service retailer with more than 35,000 locations serving approximately 70 million customers in more than 100 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business men and women. To learn more about the company, please visit: www.aboutmcdonalds.com

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2014 – The U.S. Forest Service finalized policy guidelines that will open opportunities for ski areas to promote year-round recreation activities that are natural resource-based and that will create additional jobs for communities with ski areas on the National Forests.

“The new directives will help usher in a wider spectrum of developed recreation opportunities that will encourage more people to enjoy the national forests,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “This change will allow ski areas to offer expanded recreation choices that will benefit local communities and recreationists.”

The guidelines – referred to as directives – will be published in the Federal Register this week and take effect immediately. They will be used by agency administrators to determine which summer recreation activities and associated facilities will be allowed on ski areas operating on national forests. There are 122 ski areas on nearly 180,000 acres of public land administered by the Forest Service.

Early estimates by the agency indicate that expanding ski area recreation activities will increase by 600,000 the number of summer visits on national forests; ski areas now average 23 million visits annually. Also expected are an additional 600 full- or part-time jobs and almost $40 million infused in local mountain communities.

The revised directives were spurred by the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which amended the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 that limited recreation to Nordic and alpine skiing. The 2011 act specifically includes such activities as zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, disc golf courses and rope courses. These types of activities are natural resource-based and encourage further exploration of Forest Service lands in contrast to theme or amusement parks.

The agency received more than 300 comments to the proposed directive, which helped to formulate the final guidelines. The guidelines require that new activities are natural resource-based, encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature, and are consistent with the intent of the act. The guidelines also will address the types of facilities that will be permitted.

The guidelines also address management of other recreational uses within the operational boundary of ski areas by the non-paying public, such as snowshoeing and hiking.

“This is more than just a policy change,” Tidwell said. “This opens up new opportunities to bring people onto national forests to enjoy the great outdoors, become more physically active and recreate in new ways.”

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

This news is courtesy of www.usda.gov

BETHESDA, Md. and CAPE TOWN, South Africa, — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today became the largest hotel company in Africa according to published information, and nearly doubled its presence in its Middle East and Africa region to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms as it completed its acquisition of the 116-hotel Protea Hospitality Group (PHG), based in South Africa. Marriott now operates or franchises more than 4,000 hotels in 79 countries.

At the same time, Marriott said that its pipeline of new hotels in the Middle East and Africa, including Protea’s pipeline, is now more than 65 hotels and 14,300 rooms, including more than 20 hotels and 3,000 rooms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Marriott’s new Protea portfolio consists of 10,148 rooms in seven African countries including South Africa. The company now manages, franchises and leases hotels across the Protea Hotels brand (103 hotels), comprising a full and diverse range of outstanding hotels and resorts; the award-winning lifestyle boutique Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! (2 hotels); and the superior deluxe African Pride Hotels collection (11 hotels). In addition to its industry-leading 79 hotels in South Africa, Marriott’s Protea portfolio also has 37 hotels in Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief executive officer, said, “Today marks a new beginning. We can now officially say ‘molweni!’ (Xhosa), ‘sawubona!’ (Zulu) and ‘hello!’ to South Africa and ‘welcome!’ to our approximately 15,000 new associates at both managed and franchised hotels across Protea’s portfolio. We look forward to integrating the superb Protea team into the Marriott International family, and together, to work toward new opportunities for growth and advancement throughout South Africa and the continent.”

Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director of Marriott International’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, said, “Today is the culmination of months of highly productive collaboration between Protea and Marriott International teams. We are delighted that such a tremendously dedicated, talented and effective team, which has been so well-led by Protea Chief Executive Officer Arthur Gillis, is now joining the Marriott International family. With the addition of Protea’s regional knowledge, expertise and infrastructure, we are incredibly well-positioned to continue growing in one of the fastest expanding economic markets in the world.”

According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow at a more than 5 percent pace through 2015.

Mr. Kyriakidis said that Mr. Gillis will become Non-Executive Chairman, Africa Development for Marriott International, focusing on exploring opportunities for new African hotel growth for all of Marriott International’s brands. In addition, Mark Satterfield, currently chief operations officer for Marriott International’s MEA region, will relocate to Cape Town, Protea’s headquarters, to act as business leader overseeing the integration of the two companies. He will continue to report to Mr. Kyriakidis.

As previously disclosed, Marriott paid approximately 2.02 billion rand, or approximately US $200 million at current exchange rates, which represents roughly 10 times anticipated pro forma 2014 calendar year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) excluding transaction costs.

As part of the transaction, the previous owners of Protea Hospitality Group created an independent property ownership company that retained ownership of the hotels PHG formerly owned, and entered into long-term management and lease agreements with Marriott for those hotels. The property ownership company also retained a number of minority interests in other Protea hotels. Marriott now manages approximately 45 percent of Protea’s rooms, franchises approximately 39 percent, and leases approximately 16 percent.

Marriott expects that the Protea portfolio will be available for booking on Marriott.com or via Marriott International’s Global Reservations Centers toward the end of May, and the hotels will join the Marriott Rewards guest loyalty program at a later point, to be announced. Until then, please go to www.Proteahotels.com for reservations.

Marriott does not expect the Protea acquisition to have a material impact on 2014 earnings.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with reported revenues of nearly $13 billion in fiscal year 2013. Marriott International operates and manages hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts, which, in total, comprise more than 4,000 properties in 79 countries. There are approximately 330,000 employees at headquarters, and at managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

LAS VEGAS, — Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) today announced that LOCZ Korea Corporation, a joint venture between Caesars, Lippo Group and OUE Limited, has received preliminary approval from the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism to include foreigner-only casino gaming in its planned integrated resort in Incheon, South Korea.

“We are grateful to the Korean government for their initial approval, paving the way for the opportunity to build and operate our first integrated resort in Korea,” said Gary Loveman, Caesars Entertainment Chairman, CEO and President. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our network and brands to Asia. Foreign visitation to South Korea has grown significantly, and we look forward to creating a world-class destination to further support Korea’s economic growth and tourism goals.”

Highlights for the planned integrated resort include hotels and resort amenities, live entertainment venues, a standalone convention center and a foreigners-only casino. A preliminary master plan anticipates potential future expansion to accommodate growth in the number of resort visitors.

The consortium hopes to open the Incheon integrated resort in time to welcome visitors arriving in Korea for the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Caesars may elect to include Caesars Growth Partners, LLC in the development of the project. Caesars Growth Partners, LLC is a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: CACQ). In such an event, Caesars anticipates that Caesars Growth Partners would make the capital investment associated with the project, with Caesars Entertainment acting as the operator and sharing in the management fee associated with the project.

About Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah’s® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Caesars is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. We are committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognize the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

Denver, CO – Quiznos, one of the nation’s premier quick-service restaurant chains and pioneer of the toasted sub, today announced that its senior lenders have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a “pre-packaged” restructuring plan that will reduce the Company’s debt by more than $400 million. The plan is intended to increase the Company’s flexibility as it executes operational enhancements designed to strengthen performance, revitalize the Quiznos brand and reinforce its promise as a fresh, high-quality and great-tasting alternative to traditional fast food offerings. In order to
implement this pre-packaged plan, the Company today voluntarily filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware.

All but seven of Quiznos’ nearly 2,100 restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees in the U.S. and 30 other countries around the world. As separate businesses, these restaurants are not a part of the Chapter 11 proceedings and are open and operating as usual. Quiznos customers can expect to continue to enjoy their favorite high-quality menu offerings. The Company expects to continue operating in the ordinary course of business throughout the restructuring process. The Company will continue working with its franchisees in the U.S. and internationally to strengthen the brand, build momentum and improve growth and profitability.

“The actions we are taking are intended to enable Quiznos to reduce our debt, execute a comprehensive
plan to further enhance the customer experience, elevate the profile of the brand and help increase sales
and profits for our franchise owners,” said Stuart K. Mathis, Quiznos Chief Executive Officer. “We look
forward to continuing to work with and support our global network of franchise owners, who are the
backbone of our business.”

Mathis continued, “Our business plan includes several key elements aimed at supporting our franchisees, including reducing food costs, implementing a franchise owner rebate program, in certain circumstances making loans available to franchisees for restaurant improvements, investing in advertising to improve location awareness, and providing new incentives for prospective franchisees. We are also introducing new technology at the restaurants and taking other actions to help our franchisees operate their businesses more efficiently.”

In conjunction with the restructuring plan, Quiznos has received a commitment for $15 million in debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing from its senior lenders, which, subject to Court approval, will be available to support its ongoing operations during the Chapter 11 proceedings. TThe Company’s distribution centers are open and fulfilling orders, and Quiznos has been in touch with its key suppliers to help ensure that products will continue to be delivered to franchisees in a timely fashion. Because the Company has already received the requisite approvals for its pre-packaged restructuring plan from the necessary creditor groups, it expects to execute the plan and emerge from the court-supervised process on an accelerated basis.

ABOUT QUIZNOS
Denver‐based Quiznos is a chain designed for today’s busy consumers who are looking for a high quality, tasty, freshly prepared alternative to traditional fast‐food restaurants. With locations in 50 states and 30 countries, Quiznos is one of the world’s premier quick‐service restaurant chains and pioneer of the toasted sandwich; Quiznos restaurants offer creative, chef‐created sandwiches and salads using premium ingredients. Quiznos was founded in 1981 by chefs who discovered that toasting brought out the best in every sandwich ingredient.

This news is courtesy of of www.quiznos.com

ORLANDO, Fla., Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) today filed an investor presentation detailing its priorities for creating sustainable value for all Darden shareholders and for driving growth and performance across its brands.

“Darden’s Board of Directors and management team are focused on creating value for all Darden shareholders, and we are confident in the actions the Company is taking to deliver on this responsibility,” said Chuck Ledsinger, Lead Director of Darden’s Board of Directors. “Darden’s Board and management have undertaken a thorough evaluation of various operational, strategic and financial alternatives available to the Company. This extensive review included analyses and advice from the Company’s financial advisors, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and legal counsel, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as well as discussion with and feedback from Darden shareholders. It also included analyses and advice from Morgan Stanley, as financial advisors working exclusively at the direction of the Board. Based on this review and the deep understanding of the Company and its industry that the members of the Board have developed collectively over many years, the Board believes strongly that the plan announced in December, together with the additional details presented today, provide the best path forward for capitalizing on Darden’s position as the nation’s premier full-service restaurant company and driving sustainable shareholder value.”

Clarence Otis, Darden’s Chairman and CEO, said, “The Olive Garden brand renaissance is underway, and we are driving profitable growth at LongHorn Steakhouse and the Specialty Restaurant Group. At Red Lobster, we are on track with the separation plan. That plan includes a process in which we are exploring the potential sale of the business, as well as a parallel process to spin the business off. Red Lobster is implementing initiatives that will improve results for the balance of the year and support the brand’s success on a standalone basis. Our actions to drive efficiencies across the organization are resulting in meaningful savings, with more to come. And Darden’s strong cash flows are continuing to support significant return of capital to shareholders. Notwithstanding the changing dynamics and challenges in our industry, we have a strong foundation in place. We look forward to talking directly with Darden shareholders and the investment community to provide further insight about our plans and initiatives to drive shareholder value.”

Highlights of Darden’s presentation include:

Execute Olive Garden Brand Renaissance

A holistic core menu and promotion plan aimed at broadening the choice, variety and value that Olive Garden offers guests.
A robust operations improvement plan focused on reducing culinary complexity to enable menu innovation, strengthen in-restaurant employee engagement and reduce food preparation-related labor costs and waste.
A robust service strengthening path with training that is even more grounded in the guest point of view and that encourages more personalized service delivery.
A new approach to advertising and promotion that includes a richer mix of targeted food and other news that is relevant for a wide range of guest occasions, and the use of a variety of media, including online and social.
A new remodel and logo direction which currently contemplates that 75 restaurants will be remodeled in fiscal 2015 and 125 to 150 in fiscal 2016 through 2017.
Cementing Olive Garden’s hard earned position in the marketplace, where it has long delighted guests as “a nicer place than the price suggests.”
Separate Red Lobster Through a Spin-Off or Sale to Enhance Focus and Improve Performance

Darden remains on track to execute its previously announced plan to separate the Red Lobster business through either a tax-free spin-off to Darden shareholders or a sale of the Red Lobster business. The sale process is well underway. The Company has also begun the process of establishing separate financials and associated infrastructure for the Red Lobster business should the Board determine that the spin-off alternative creates more value for shareholders.

As consumer demand dynamics have changed, Red Lobster’s priorities and operating support requirements have come to differ meaningfully from those of Darden’s other brands, which are having greater success increasing appeal among consumers outside their core guest profiles. By establishing two independent companies, a separation will better enable the management teams of each company to focus their exclusive attention on their distinct value creation opportunities. To elevate focus on consumers who have its core guest profile, Red Lobster has developed a clearly defined vision and plan that includes:

Greater focus on seafood quality, craveability and variety which its guests have long looked to Red Lobster for.
Streamlining restaurant operations to drive efficiency that will support the affordability many of Red Lobster’s core guests need and want.
More tailored marketing and promotional strategy that leverages brand equity with core guests.
Further Optimize Operating Support and Direct Operating Costs

Through an aggressive approach to managing operating support costs, the Company expects savings of at least $60 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2015, as previously announced. The Company is focused on identifying additional opportunities for support cost savings and is also exploring the potential for direct operating cost optimization, while being mindful of the need to preserve the guest experience at its restaurants. The Company has retained Alvarez & Marsal North America to assist with these efforts and with identifying potential revenue enhancement opportunities.

Maintain Balanced Approach to Capital Allocation

Darden’s strong cash flows have supported a level of return of capital to shareholders that has outpaced the industry, while also enabling key growth initiatives.

Darden will have returned $4 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends from the beginning of fiscal year 2004 through fiscal year 2014.
In the past five years, Darden returned $1.95 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Darden has doubled its dividend over the past four years and, most recently, in June 2013, the Company raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.55 per share, or $2.20 annually.
Going forward, Darden will maintain a balanced approach to capital allocation that includes:

Continuing to target an approximately 70% to 75% dividend payout ratio that would be reduced over time to approximately 50% to 60%.
Maintaining an active share buyback program, the details of which will be announced as the Red Lobster separation plans are finalized.
Focusing capital expenditures on organic growth initiatives.
Improving key credit metrics.
Real Estate

Optimizing Darden’s real estate assets is a focus for the Company. As part of the process of setting these priorities, the Board, in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, carefully considered several real estate monetization alternatives. These included using the Company’s real estate to establish and spin-off on a tax-free basis an independent, standalone triple-net lease real estate investment trust (REIT), as well as the possibility of engaging in a series of sale-leaseback transactions to separate the real estate. It determined, among other things, that:

Full real estate separation via the formation of a REIT would introduce significant operational complexity, remove from Darden an important strategic asset and likely not create meaningful shareholder value.
Formation of a REIT would reduce the remaining Darden operating company’s operating cash flow, weaken its credit profile, increase its borrowing costs and limit its ability to support a dividend, repurchase shares and meet its ongoing brand development needs – factors that would have important adverse consequences for its valuation.
A Darden property REIT would lack the characteristics of highly-valued REITs – in particular, it would have exposure to a single, non-investment grade tenant with one property type that has very specific use limitations as well as a high concentration of ground leases – and this would likely result in a valuation that would be at a meaningful discount to the triple-net lease REIT comparable universe.
Formation of a REIT would involve meaningful friction costs, the most significant being the debt breakage expense associated with the expected refinancing of Darden’s approximately $2.5 billion in current debt, which would be necessitated by such a transaction.
A REIT spin-off is a transaction that entails significant tax complexity and uncertainty that could result in meaningful additional fixed costs and contingent liabilities.
Separation of the Company’s real estate via a series of sale-leaseback transactions would, in effect, be an expensive form of secured debt financing relative to other options available to Darden. Such transactions would also result in potentially meaningful tax leakage and would raise many of the same issues related to the formation of a REIT, including the necessity of refinancing all of Darden’s outstanding debt.
Conference Call and Webcast

About Darden

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates more than 2,100 restaurants that generate over $8.5 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing more than 200,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2014, Darden was named to the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the fourth year in a row. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want.

This news is courtesy of www.darden.com

Starbucks announces an enhanced mobile app for Apple’s iOS which will allow customers to tip their baristas directly from the Starbucks for iPhone® app.

Beginning March 19, customers using Starbucks App for iPhone in the U.S., U.K. and Canada will experience a streamlined design and easy access to their account and My Starbucks Rewards information. In addition, customers using the app will have the option to leave a tip at more than 7,000 company-operated Starbucks® stores in the U.S.

“With more than 11 percent of transactions a week now happening with a mobile device in our stores, and nearly 10 million customers currently using our mobile app, we’re thrilled to make the digital experience even easier and more rewarding for our customers and partners,” said Adam Brotman, chief digital officer for Starbucks. “This update to the Starbucks App for iPhone is an important next step in digital innovation at Starbucks and one of the many ways we’ll expand and improve our digital experience in the months to come.”

Digital tipping has been a top suggestion on MyStarbucksIdea.com, an online community for people to share, vote, discuss and put into action ideas on how to enhance the Starbucks Experience. Starbucks expects to introduce a complete update to the Starbucks for Android™ app, including a digital tipping feature, later this year.

“As more and more customers are using their phone to pay, they have also asked for a convenient and meaningful way to show their appreciation to store partners,” said Cliff Burrows, group president, U.S., Americas and Teavana. “We’re proud to offer digital tipping as an option through the updated Starbucks for iPhone® app for customers in the U.S.”

Through the Starbucks for iPhone® app, customers can enjoy the following features:

Mobile Payment – For customers looking for the fastest way to pay, the Starbucks App for iPhone offers customers the convenience of paying for their favorite Starbucks® beverages with their mobile devices.

Digital Tipping (NEW!) – Customers can show their appreciation to store partners by tipping through the Starbucks App for iPhone. Customers are given the option to provide a tip in the following denominations: $0.50, $1.00, $2.00.

Shake to Pay (NEW!) – To simplify mobile payments, customers can now bring the barcode of their Starbucks Card front and center at any time, simply by shaking their mobile device.

My Starbucks Rewards™ status – The My Starbucks Rewards™ screen has been redesigned to streamline viewing of Rewards history. The display also features new transaction types, such as multiple transactions in a single day and promotional offers, in one integrated view.

Reload – Customers can reload their Starbucks Card balance directly from their mobile device with a major credit card. Customers can even set up automatic reloads.

Store Locator – Customers can search for the closest Starbucks® stores, view the amenities available at each store, and save favorite stores.

Starbucks Card eGift- Allows customers to treat friends and family to their favorite Starbucks® beverage, food or merchandise through a fast and easy virtual gift from their iPhone®. Starbucks Card eGifts can be customized with a personal message and sent directly using contacts or Facebook friend list, for any amount between $5- $100. (U.S. only)

The Starbucks for iPhone app is available for download through iTunes® at http://sbux.co/StarbucksforiPhone.

Additionally, customers can access their Starbucks account using Passbook, allowing customers’ mobile Starbucks Cards to appear on their iPhone® screen automatically after they enter a favorite Starbucks® store.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.

This news is courtesy of www.starbucks.com

LAS VEGAS, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Bally’s Las Vegas, The Cromwell (formerly Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon), The Quad and Harrah’s New Orleans to Caesars Growth Partners, LLC for a purchase price of $2.2 billion, including assumed debt of $185 million and committed project capital expenditures of $223 million, resulting in anticipated cash proceeds of $1.8 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014, subject to certain closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals. These actions are part of ongoing efforts to address Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc.’s (“CEOC”) overall capital structure and position that subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment to enhance equity value.

Caesars Entertainment and its affiliated companies will manage the purchased properties, allowing continued integration with the Total Rewards network and related synergies. The sale of Bally’s, The Cromwell, The Quad and Harrah’s New Orleans to Caesars Growth Partners preserves the network value of the four properties while enhancing liquidity at CEOC. The sale also includes a financial stake in the associated management fee stream. This asset sale will also facilitate new investment in these properties, some of which require considerable capital expenditures to realize their full potential as part of Caesars’ network at the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

The asset sale was negotiated and unanimously recommended by special committees comprised of independent members of the boards of directors of Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Caesars Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: CACQ), the managing member of Caesars Growth Partners. Centerview Partners and Duff & Phelps served as financial advisors to the special committee of Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Reed Smith LLP served as the committee’s legal counsel. With this transaction, Caesars Acquisition Company has announced a $223 million renovation of The Quad Resort & Casino.

“Since being taken private near the beginning of the global financial crisis, we have faced an incredibly challenging business environment and a highly leveraged capital structure. Despite these obstacles, we have invested significantly in the growth of our network and the enhancement of our assets while concurrently deploying a wide array of financial and operational tools to manage the company’s capital structure and create value,” said Gary Loveman, chairman and chief executive officer of Caesars Entertainment. “Entering 2014, I am very excited about our new customer offerings. Across our network, we have recently opened or will open promising new projects and amenities, such as The LINQ and High Roller and upgrades throughout Las Vegas. We also share in the economic benefits associated with Caesars Growth Partners, including considerable growth last year at Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc., through social and mobile games and the launch of real-money online gaming in Nevada and New Jersey.”

Caesars Entertainment today has a market capitalization of approximately $3.5 billion and is now comprised of three primary structures: Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties (CERP), its interest in Caesars Growth Partners, LLC (CGP), a joint venture in which Caesars Entertainment holds a 58% economic interest, and CEOC. CERP is made up of six casino properties, predominantly in Las Vegas, as well as The LINQ development and the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace. Caesars Growth Partners owns Caesars Interactive Entertainment as well as the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, a 41% interest in Horseshoe Baltimore and the assets that will be acquired through this transaction. Caesars Growth Partners’ managing member is Caesars Acquisition Company, a nearly $2 billion market capitalization publicly traded company.

“Today’s asset sales mark an important step in our ongoing efforts to repair CEOC’s balance sheet,” Loveman said. “Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Acquisition Company have a combined equity market capitalization of more than $5 billion. To build equity value, we have employed a full complement of operating and financial tools. The toolbox, which includes cost management, working capital management, operational improvements, acquisitions, asset sales, credit agreement amendments, innovative operating strategies, exchange offers and equity raises, has helped to create two stable entities. The company expects to deploy a similar array of tools to improve CEOC’s financial position and build equity value.”

Pro forma for this transaction, CEOC will have in excess of $3.2 billion in cash as of December 31, 2013. CEOC will also be relieved of potential capital expenditure requirements for the purchased properties. CEOC intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the asset sales to reduce bank debt.

In addition to financial and capital structure initiatives, Caesars is focused on generating additional operational efficiency in 2014. In 2013, the company implemented a program to both improve its working capital and excess cash by $500 million and to generate $500 million of operating and EBITDA improvements. Through this plan, the company has made substantial progress towards that goal and expects the program to benefit CEOC this year. The company plans to provide updates on additional achievements during 2014. The recent ratification of a new long-term labor agreement in Nevada presents Caesars with a stable platform for growth opportunities, particularly in the hospitality and entertainment segments.

Preliminary Fourth Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Separately, Caesars Entertainment announced preliminary results for the fourth quarter of 2013 that include consolidated results for Caesars Growth Partners. The company expects to report its financial results for the quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2013 in March.

Commenting on the results, Loveman concluded: “2013 was a year of considerable progress and activity for Caesars. We significantly invested in growth projects and undertook a number of actions designed to enhance the company’s capital structure and create value. For the fourth quarter, performance in some of our regional areas, particularly Atlantic City, was disappointing. We are, however, encouraged by volume and visitation trends in Las Vegas. We are excited about our prospects there fueled by organic growth as well as our hospitality investments.”

While Caesars Entertainment has not yet completed its financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the company currently expects consolidated net revenue to be in the range of approximately $2,050 million to $2,110 million and that its Adjusted EBITDA will be in the range of approximately $395 million to $415 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Estimated net loss attributable to Caesars Entertainment for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 is expected to range between $1,700 million and $1,820 million, compared to net loss attributable to Caesars Entertainment of $480.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

Consolidated net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2013 are expected to increase slightly as compared to the prior year primarily due to the combination of increases in pass-through reimbursable management costs, growth at Caesars Interactive Entertainment and declines in promotional allowance, offset by lower casino revenue. The decline in casino revenue is primarily attributable to continued weakness in certain domestic markets outside of Nevada and the impact on revenues resulting from the partial sale of our Conrad Punta del Este, Uruguay casino in the second quarter 2013. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be down slightly as compared to the prior year due to the decline in casino revenues. Net loss attributable to Caesars Entertainment for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 2012 is expected to increase as a result of significantly larger impairments of tangible and intangible assets in 2013 as compared to the prior year quarter, as well as the income impact of lower casino revenues, and increased interest expense, partially offset by lower depreciation due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated early in 2013.

Conference Call Information
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) will host a joint conference call with Caesars Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: CACQ) at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time today, on Monday, March 3, 2014, to discuss the transaction and review preliminary fourth quarter results. The call will be accessible on the Investor Relations section of www.caesars.com.

If you would like to ask questions and be an active participant in the call, you may dial (877) 637-3676, or (832) 412-1752 for international callers, and enter Conference ID 3889366 approximately 10 minutes before the call start time. A recording of the live call will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days after the event.

About Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah’s® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. We are committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognize the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.caesars.com

SAN ANTONIO – Hilton Palacio del Rio today announced a partnership with the San Antonio Zoo. In 2014, the Zoo celebrates its 100th birthday. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Zoo will open Zootennial Plaza in March, featuring a one-of-a-kind carousel with animals from Texas and the San Antonio Zoo. Hilton Palacio del Rio will display the Zoo’s Whooping Crane carousel figurine in the hotel lobby through March 31, 2014. Additionally, Hilton Palacio del Rio is participating in the celebration by displaying “ZOO 100” on its exterior balcony lights throughout March.
“For 100 years, the Zoo has been one of San Antonio’s most visited attractions,” said Robert Thrailkill, general manager, Hilton Palacio del Rio. “We are pleased to partner in celebrating the San Antonio ‘Zootennial’.”

Hilton Palacio del Rio and the San Antonio Zoo will announce a Zootennial visitor’s package at a press conference on Friday, February 28 at 10 a.m. in the hotel lobby. Attendees will be able to view the Whooping Crane carousel figurine and visit a live zoo animal while learning more about this ‘Zootennial’ partnership. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to caroline.floyd@hilton.com.

Hilton Palacio del Rio
Located on the famous River Walk in beautiful downtown San Antonio, Hilton Palacio del Rio is only two blocks from the world-famous Alamo, and not far from two PGA Tour courses, theSan Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, the San Antonio Convention Center and the Alamodome. Recent renovations have transformed this iconic River Walk hotel to convey a contemporary flavor within a hacienda setting. Hilton Palacio del Rio offers several dining options, flexible meeting space, a pool and fitness center and is the only hotel in downtown San Antonio that features a private balcony in every room. www.palaciodelrio.hilton.com

San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo is celebrating its centennial “Zootennial” in 2014! For one hundred years, the Zoo has provided remarkable animal care and continues to nurture a diverse and thriving plant collection, while consistently offering a recreational and educational experience to over one million guests annually. The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is one of only 223 zoos in the nation, which is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums.The Zoo is open 365 days a year.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com

LAS VEGAS, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) has started the largest installation of Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Nevada. Twenty-seven EV charging stations will be located at nine of the company’s Las Vegas resorts in addition to MGM Resorts’ main corporate offices. Additional stations will be available at Circus Circus Reno. The charging stations, which will be installed in guest garages and valet areas, will be available for employees and guests to use at no cost.

“It is important that our guests have the convenience and ability to continue sustainable habits during their time with us,” said Cindy Ortega, Chief Sustainability Officer of MGM Resorts International. “The installation of these charging stations encourages green practices in both our guests and employees, serving as a natural step toward smarter, cleaner transportation systems.”

Drivers will be able to access real-time information about the ChargePoint EV charging stations via a mobile application, which shows whether a station is open; the percentage of charge on the vehicle, when the vehicle is fully charged and when a charging nozzle has been removed. Each charger is equipped with two Level 2 charging ports supplying up to 7.2 kW, full motion color LCD display and a robust cord retraction system. All units will have the industry standard SAE J1772 charging ports.

“The installation of EV charging stations provides yet another draw to visit and stay at the MGM Resort properties,” said Pasquale Romano, CEO of ChargePoint, the largest network of EV charging stations in the nation. “This project shows MGM’s commitment to sustainability and continued leadership. It also represents a significant benefit to MGM’s guests and employees alike, and allows ChargePoint to move closer to our goal of providing charging wherever people work, shop, eat and play.”

Four charging stations at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand Las Vegas and Circus Circus Reno have already been installed and are fully operational. Installation of the remaining EV charging stations is expected to be complete by the end of February 2014. MGM Resorts installed its first charging stations in 2011 at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place and The Shops at Crystals. In 2012, an additional station was installed at its corporate office.
In 2012, Transparency Market Research reported 71,174 registered EVs in the United States and more than 180,000 in the world. The figure has more than doubled since 2011. The number of registered EVs in the world is expected to grow by more than 18 percent by 2018.

This installation of EV charging stations is part of a long-standing partnership with NV Energy, and one of many clean energy projects underway by MGM Resorts.

About ChargePoint
ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 15,000 charging locations and a 70%+ market share. Ranked #1 by leading independent research firm, Navigant Research, ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint’s open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join.
ChargePoint’s real-time network information including the availability of charging locations throughout the nation is available through the ChargePoint mobile app, online and via the navigation systems in top-selling EVs including the new BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf. Every 10 seconds, a driver connects to a ChargePoint station and by initiating over 3.7 million charging sessions, ChargePoint drivers have saved over 2.6 million gallons of gasoline and driven 65 million gas free miles. For more information about ChargePoint, visit www.chargepoint.com.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort and Casino.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.mgmresorts.investorroom.com

ANCHORAGE, AK – Aramark today unveiled plans for Denali Park Village, a new lodging experience, only minutes away from the entrance to Denali National Park and located along the Nenana River.

Aramark, which has managed hospitality and tourism operations in Alaska for nearly 30 years, is transforming and re-branding two adjacent properties it owns – McKinley Village Lodge and Denali River Cabins & Cedar Lodge – to create Denali Park Village, a unique lodging destination that will embody and reflect Alaska’s rich mining and natural history.

McKinley Village Lodge will be renamed The Lodge at Denali Park Village and Denali River Cabins will be known as The Cabins at Denali Park Village. The newly re-branded Denali Park Village is scheduled to open May 2014.

“Denali Park Village brings together the synergy of two ideally situated properties to create a unique and authentic Alaskan experience for guests,” said David Sloma, vice president of operations for Aramark Parks and Destinations. “We believe this transformation will provide guests with even greater accommodations, hospitality options and amenities to complement their visit to Denali National Park.”

Cabin Renovations and Marketplace Build-Out
The Cabins are undergoing comprehensive upgrades that will be completed in time for the summer tourist season. Updates to the décor include log cabin-inspired furniture with cozy fabrics and bedding and the bathrooms will be outfitted with new fixtures. New decking and railings will also be installed.

In addition to the Lodge and the Cabins, Denali Park Village will be home to a vast open market. Designed with the look of a historic mining town, the marketplace will include individually themed shops such as a s’mores shack, apparel shop, pet supply store and more. A full main street market will feature assorted grab-and-go and gourmet food and grocery options. Hand-dipped ice cream is also planned.

Rounding out the Denali Park Village experience will be the addition of numerous stations for photo opportunities as well as a wishing well, penny arcade and gold panning area.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.aramak.com

Following up on the successful launch of its website TravelBrilliantly.com, Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), today launched a new round of co-creation for 2014 in the United States and – for the first time – the United Kingdom. Ideas from the public submitted to TravelBrilliantly.com through the end of April will be entered into a co-creation contest.* The grand-prize winner will travel to the company’s Bethesda, MD headquarters to work alongside Marriott experts on forward-thinking projects in its innovation lab, The Underground.

Geared towards modern travelers who seamlessly blend work and play, TravelBrilliantly.com has been soliciting travel ideas for design, culinary, wellness and technology since it launched with the brand’s Travel Brilliantly marketing campaign in June 2013. Visitors to the site can also watch videos of innovations Marriott Hotels is working on now for the future of travel.

”With Travel Brilliantly, Marriott Hotels is rethinking the travel experience beyond the four walls of the hotel,“ said Mara Hannula, vice president of Marketing, Marriott-endorsed Brands. “As we transform the iconic Marriott Hotels brand, we are continuing to engage our guests, giving them a voice in co-creating the future of travel with us.“

A panel of four judges — Shira Lazar, Host/Founder of What’s Trending, Faris Yakob, Founder, Genius Steals LLC, Chris Baer, Director of Innovation at Marriott, and Anjana Kallarackal, grand prize winner from TravelBrilliantly.com’s first co-creation contest — will choose the next grand-prize winner. In addition, three first prize winners will receive prize packages, including items from Herschel Supply Co. and Brookstone** that will enable brilliant travel.

From more than 700 submissions to TravelBrilliantly.com in last year’s co-creation contest, Kallarackal’s concept, a healthy and nutritious vending machine, rose to the top. Kallarackal traveled to the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square to work with Marriott Hotels’ experts and local innovative partners, Simon Prockter, the Founder/CEO of Housebites, Shaun Clarkson, interior designer and owner of Pitfield Café, and Laurence Holloway, recipient of the 2013 British Young Business Award for his company, Lovestruck, to further develop her winning idea. A video of Kallarackal’s trip can be viewed on TravelBrilliantly.com. Once fully developed, her inspirational idea will come to life at a Marriott Hotels’ property later this year.

As a part of Marriott Hotel’s transformation for the next generation of travelers, the iconic brand continues to innovate globally. With the expansion of mobile check-in feature globally on the Marriott Mobile app, guests can check-in to 350 Marriott Hotels’ properties in 19 countries, using their smartphones. By the end of 2015, Marriott Hotels expects to fully introduce its re-designed Greatroom Lobby, to all hotels globally. The Greatroom Lobby is designed for the next generation traveler who blends work and play, demands style and substance, and requires technology. Additionally, as the industry leader in hosting meetings, Marriott Hotels recently introduced new concepts for the mobile worker including Meetings Imagined, the Meeting Services App (Red Coat Direct) and Workspace on Demand.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.marriott.com

Milford, CT —First Lady Michelle Obama today announced that SUBWAY® restaurants joined the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) in a three-year commitment to promote healthier choices to kids, including launching its largest kid-targeted marketing effort to date. As part of its commitment, the SUBWAY® restaurant chain will launch a series of new and fun campaigns aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children; set and implement new marketing standards to kids; and strengthen its already-nutritious children’s menu offerings.

“I’m excited about these initiatives not just as a First Lady, but also as a mom,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Subway’s kids’ menu makes life easier for parents, because they know that no matter what their kids order, it’s going to be a healthy choice.”

The commitment follows the first-ever White House convening on food marketing to children this fall, during which Mrs. Obama called on the private sector to leverage the power of marketing to promote healthier products and decrease the marketing of unhealthy products to kids.

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the first and only quick service chain to join PHA, which works with the private sector and Mrs. Obama – PHA’s honorary chair – to broker meaningful commitments to help end the childhood obesity epidemic.

As part of its commitment, the SUBWAY® restaurant chain will only offer items on its kids menu that meet strong nutritional guidelines informed by federal standards for the national school lunch program, including offering apples as a side and low-fat or non-fat milk or water as a default beverage. Additionally, the chain will deliver $41 million in media value in the next three years to market healthier options to children and families, with a specific focus on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is the brand’s largest kid-focused marketing campaign to date, and includes general marketing, in-store merchandising, television, social and digital media and public relations. Training materials will teach Sandwich Artists to encourage kids to choose apples, and in-store merchandising and marketing will focus on these healthy options.

“SUBWAY® restaurant’s commitment today builds on the brand’s already strong track record of offering healthier choices to kids, for which it has been lauded by families and health advocates alike,” said PHA Board Chair James R. Gavin, III, MD, PhD. “The new and significant investment it is making today will not only help make fruits and vegetables fun for kids, it will also offer busy moms and dads easy, healthy choices for their families when they’re on the go.”
“Ending childhood obesity is a cause that has been near and dear to SUBWAY® since we introduced the
Fresh Fit for Kids Meals in 2007,” said Suzanne Greco, vice president of R&D and Operations for the SUBWAY® brand. “With this partnership with PHA, we will now reach millions of kids as part of ahealthier eating education campaign, making it our largest outreach campaign to date. From a sign on each restaurant’s door that says ‘Playtime Powered by Veggies’ to a video collaboration with Disney’s The Muppets, we will build upon our ongoing efforts to create even better choices for families. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in the industry when it comes to speaking to children and their families. Now we are letting everyone else know what that standard is.”

Specifically, during each of the next three years, the SUBWAY® brand will:

• Offer on the SUBWAY® menu only kids’ meals that are Fresh Fit for Kids™ meals and meet the following profiles[1]:
o Nutrient Profile – less than or equal to 600 calories, including no artificial trans fat, less than 10% of calories from saturated fat and less than 935 mg of sodium, in line with federal children’s meal standards.
o Food Profile – all meals provide ½ cup fruit equivalent; and ¾ cup vegetable equivalent; low-fat or nonfat milk[2] (or dairy equivalent) or water[3] as the default beverage. In addition, the SUBWAY® brand will work with PHA to develop bread options that meet dietary guidance.
o Affordability Profile – the brand will recommend its franchisees price Fresh Fit for Kids™ meals less than or equal to all items sold individually.

• Assist the selection of fruit with Fresh Fit for Kids™ meals by:
o Providing training for staff to prompt taking of apples from cooler
o Placing messaging on/in Fresh Fit for Kids™ meal bag that promotes fruit selection.

• Implement policy with regard to marketing to children, such that any advertising on children’s programming or targeting children meets the profiles set above.
• Deliver $41 million in media value over the next three years in marketing and advertising specifically targeted to children to encourage healthy eating, fruits and vegetables. This includes general marketing, in-store merchandising, television, social and digital media and all public relations.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.subway.com

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has sold its leasehold interests in the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel to an affiliate of the Qatar Armed Forces Investment Portfolio (QAFIP) for approximately €78 million including €45 million ($62 million) cash and the assumption of €33 million ($45 million) of related obligations. The hotel will continue to be operated by Marriott under a long-term management contract.

“Through the sale of the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel we are delighted to welcome a new partner and owner to our Marriott portfolio,” said Amy McPherson, President and Managing Director for Marriott International in Europe. “Barcelona is a key gateway city and one of the world’s most popular destinations, and with such a strong and respected owner we are confident about the future of this wonderful hotel and our relationship with QAFIP.”

Opened in April 2012 following a major renovation, the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel is located in Barcelona’s vibrant Eixample District and close to some of the city’s most extraordinary cultural attractions including two of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces: La Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera. Within walking distance of Paseo de Gracia, the city’s world-renowned avenue filled with impressive architecture and exceptional shopping, the stylish hotel offers exceptional service and contemporary design.

Commenting on the transaction, General Brigadier Dr. Eng. Thani Al Kuwari, Assistant for the Financial Affairs to the Minister of State of Defense and Director of Qatar Armed Forces Investment Portfolio, added: “We are very excited to add the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel to our portfolio and look forward to a long and successful partnership with Marriott International.”

Renaissance Hotels is a lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio designed to help guests Live Life to Discover. Its signature concierge service, R Navigator, and RLife LIVE entertainment programme showcasing emerging talent in music, art and culinary, help guests explore local discoveries and transform their travel experience.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.marriott.com

Explorer of the Seas will return home from its 10-day cruise two days early, after an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that spiked over the weekend. New reports of illness have decreased day over- day, and many guests are again up and about. Nevertheless, the disruptions caused by the early wave of illness means that we were unable to deliver the vacation our guests were expecting. After consultation between our medical team and representatives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we think the right thing to do is to bring our guests home early, and use the extra time to sanitize the ship even more thoroughly. We are sorry for disappointing our guests, and we are taking several steps to compensate them for their inconvenience.

After returning to home port on Wednesday, Jan. 29, we will perform a thorough “barrier” sanitization program on the entire ship to make certain that any remaining traces of the illness are eliminated. It will be the third aggressive sanitizing procedure the ship has undertaken since we became aware of the issue, and will additionally provide a window of more than 24 hours where there are no persons aboard the ship, which is a significant help. Guests scheduled for the next cruise on Explorer of the Seas can be confident that all possible measures will have been taken to prevent further problems.

At this point, it appears that reported illnesses among guests and crew peaked during the first few days of the cruise – though, as is common with many illnesses, some additional cases are to be expected over the course of the week. Our doctors tell us symptoms are consistent with that of norovirus, but that they are awaiting the results of tests to confirm that diagnosis. Our response included flying additional medical personnel and equipment to meet the ship, and conducting additional sanitizing procedures at two of the ship’s stops.

In the end, however, the number of cases was still higher than any of us want to see. We will be cooperating with authorities and conducting our own internal assessments to make sure we are doing all we can to promote the health and safety of our guests and crew.

This Press Release is courtesy of www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com

The U.S. Department of Commerce today released the latest Travel and Tourism Forecast, a twice-yearly report produced by the International Trade Administration that predicts the number of international travelers that will visit the United States during the next five years. The forecast shows that the United States can expect four percent average annual growth in tourism through 2018, and that nearly 72 million foreign travelers are projected to visit the United States in 2014 alone.

This strong forecast follows three consecutive visitor volume records set in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Total visitor volume for 2013 is expected to be up 3 percent from 2012, which would set a fourth-straight record.

“Travel and tourism to the United States continues to break new records, boosting our exports and helping strengthen our economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “The Obama Administration has made promotion of travel and tourism a key priority of our economic growth agenda. The results have been very positive: travel and tourism continues to be a bright spot in our economy, contributing nearly 3 percent to GDP in 2012 and supporting 7.8 million jobs. We need to build on that momentum in the years to come.”

The Department of Commerce’s “Open for Business Agenda,” which Secretary Pritzker launched in November, places a high priority on trade and boosting U.S. exports, spurring foreign direct investment and travel and tourism. In 2012, the United States welcomed 67 million visitors, who spent $165.6 billion, all of which is counted as U.S. exports.

Travel and Tourism Advisory Board Recommendations

Secretary Pritzker also met with and received recommendations from the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) today. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues in travel and tourism, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems. The Board makes recommendations throughout their two-year term; today’s are their final set of recommendations on priorities for the next three years.

Last year, President Obama launched the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, which set a goal of welcoming 100 million international visitors to the U.S. by the end of 2021. With that in mind, TTAB identified four main policy priorities that will best position the United States to facilitate and enhance traveler mobility and minimize or remove barriers to travel:

Visa and Entry Process: The Department of Commerce must work with partners at the Departments of State and Homeland Security to further enhance the entry process and make it more efficient.

Infrastructure Investment: There must be a call for long-delayed infrastructure investments, particularly in surface transportation (road and rail), airports and the U.S. aviation system.

Brand USA: Already attracting more visitors from 11 international markets, Brand USA must be expanded and enhanced. Established in May 2011, the public-private entity is the nation’s first global marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. In two years, Brand USA has already raised almost $190 million of in-kind and cash partnerships.

Public and Private Partnerships: The Department of Commerce should work with federal partners to welcome even more private-sector input into federal policies and programs that affect the travel and tourism industry.

TTAB is comprised of up to thirty-two members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Members represent companies and organizations in the travel and tourism industry from a broad range of products and services, company sizes and geographic locations. Members serve a two-year term at the pleasure of the Secretary. The Board was originally chartered in 2003, and because of the Department’s need for the ongoing advice from industry representatives, has been re-chartered five times, most recently in September 2013.

This Press Release is courtesy of US Department of Commerce www.commerce.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Earth Day, and every day, the American Beverage Association (ABA) and its member companies demonstrate their longstanding commitment to our environment through ongoing efforts to further reduce their environmental impact.

“The beverage industry’s leadership in environmental sustainability has never been stronger than it is today,” said Susan Neely, ABA president and CEO. “We are leading a race to the top in the consumer products industry through the design of lightweight, more environmentally-friendly packaging. Through our support, we are seeing comprehensive, efficient and effective community recycling programs get off the ground, including one launched this past year through a successful partnership with Florida’s Palm Beach County. Our work is helping in communities throughout America, and as an industry, we have only just begun.”

This past year, the ABA supported a pilot project called “Recycle on the Go” in Palm Beach County, Fla. Parks, beaches and boardwalks were the target locations for placement of 125 recycling bins, which were paired together with waste bins. Promotional activities were carried out by the local jurisdictions, including North Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Park, Wellington and West Palm Beach.

The goals of the project were to:
Measure and improve public space recycling performance;
Create an effective, attractive and sustainable recycling system for beverage containers generated in the public space for each participating jurisdiction;
Provide opportunities for the public to recycle beverage containers and reduce litter; and
Increase public awareness of opportunities to recycle while away from home.
Data compilation is currently underway, but it is expected to show that the project is working to capture a significant amount of recyclable beverage containers and reduce the amount of litter in the locations that bins were placed.

“We care deeply about our industry’s impact on the environment; our operations reflect the priority and longstanding commitment we have to a clean environment,” said Kate Krebs, ABA senior environmental policy advisor. “Most importantly, we are beginning to see some real, positive change. Our companies are engaging with citizens and communities to partner on projects that encourage everyone to do better, do more and do the right thing when it comes to the health of our planet. On Earth Day, it is important to acknowledge these efforts are working.”
COURTESY OF AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION

The recent negative circumstances that have plagued cruise operators is having an overall toll on the tourism industry. People have lost confidence in the cruise lines as a result of reports of negligence in safety measures.