Grand Prize Winners: National Geographic Traveler, Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau, David Noyes, Andrew McCarthy, and Jill Schensul

Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. (NASDAQ:GCFB) recently announced that it has completed the purchase of the assets of five Cadillac Ranch All American Bar & Grill restaurants, in Bloomington, Minnesota; Miami, Florida; Oxon Hill, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland; and Indianapolis, Indiana, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.2 million.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, announced the grand opening of its newest Baja Fresh in Niles, IL.

Revenue for the quarter was $596.7 million, up 23.7% from the prior year period. The growth in revenue was the result of new restaurants not in the comparable base and an 11.1% increase in comparable restaurant sales. Comparable restaurant sales growth was primarily driven by increased traffic in the quarter as well as the impact of menu price increases implemented between March and August.

Net sales of $1,158.2 million, up 102% over net sales of $574.1 million in the year-ago quarter

Around the globe, the world's top adventure travel outfitters are busy unveiling more new trips than you can shake a hiking stick at.

An article that addresses the long-time hospitality industry debate over hiring employees based on personality or on ability has been named the 2011 article of the year for the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, based on a vote by the members of the CQ’s editorial board.

In a story just crossing the newswires this afternoon, The Associated Press reports:

Fourth-quarter profit of $167 million down from $339 million

InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE Amex: IHT) announced the appointment of Pamela Barnhill as President and Chief Operating Officer of InnSuites Hospitality Trust effective February 1, 2012.