Hawaii burger chain will get bigger
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers will expand to Thailand with two locations.
The first will open in late 2014 or in the first quarter of next year, according to a statement.
"We are humbled to see other countries graciously welcome Teddy’s, and are thankful to expand to Thailand," said co-founder Ted Tsakiris.
It is "beyond exciting," added co-founder Rich Stula.
The Honolulu-based chain has recently been in expansion mode locally, on the mainland and internationally.
There are 11 Teddy’s Bigger Burgers locations in Hawaii, including one on Maui. Another will open soon in Haleiwa.
On the mainland there are Teddy’s locations in Washington state and Iowa, with more to open soon in California and Texas. Internationally there are locations open in Japan and the Philippines.
Remodeling show attendance down 60%
The 10th annual Remodel It Right, Remodel It Green Expo saw a 60 percent decline in attendance due to numerous factors, according to organizers.
Some 4,000 people attended, the lowest number since the event’s debut in 2005.
Originally scheduled for Aug. 8-10 at the Neal Blaisdell Center, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Iselle’s anticipated arrival.
"We had several challenges with the rescheduled expo that ranged from confusion on our new dates and location, to the many other events including the University of Hawaii football and volleyball games and the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival," said Gladys Quinto Marrone, BIA-Hawaii CEO.
Nevertheless, many attendees were actively planning multigenerational remodeling projects, and the "Meet the Experts" seminars were full, organizers said.
Bank of Hawaii launches free mobile game
Bank of Hawaii has launched SimpliSavvy, a free mobile game that demonstrates the flexibility of the bank’s MyBankoh Rewards credit card program. The mobile game, for iPhone and iPad, became available in the App Store this week.
"People use credit cards every day, and we wanted to show how our credit card allows for rewards inspired by your imagination," said Tony DeSanctis, Bank of Hawaii senior vice president and credit card manager. "This is a fun way to demonstrate how you can use the card and redeem your points for the things you love or buy every day such as food, clothes, concert tickets and even groceries."
In addition to the mobile game, Bankoh is launching a personality quiz called "Which Savvy Are You?" on Facebook starting Friday at www.facebook.com/bankofhawaii.
General Mills to buy mac-and-cheese firm
NEW YORK » Packaged food giant General Mills plans to buy Annie’s, the maker of rabbit-shaped macaroni and cheese, for $820 million, adding more natural and organic packaged offerings as consumers’ tastes change.
General Mills Inc., the company behind classic food brands such as Pillsbury dough, Progresso soups, Yoplait yogurts and Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, has been trying to cut costs and has tweaked its recipes as sales stagnate.
Sales have suffered as Greek yogurt and breakfast sandwiches became popular options for the morning meal. General Mills was slow to realize the growing demand for Greek yogurt, which has more protein than regular yogurt, but it has been adding some other options that it hopes consumers will consider healthier.
Annie’s sales, on the other hand, grew 20 percent in its latest fiscal year. General Mills said Monday that Annie’s "convenient meals" and snacks businesses were particularly attractive. Annie’s also makes other pastas, frozen pizzas and snacks like crackers and fruit snacks.
N.Y. judge sentences ex-trader to 9 years
NEW YORK » A former portfolio manager convicted of helping his firm earn more than a quarter-billion dollars illegally through insider trading has been sentenced in New York to nine years in prison.
Boca Raton, Fla., resident Mathew Martoma was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say Martoma and Stamford, Conn.-based SAC Capital Advisors dumped millions of shares of two pharmaceutical companies after he learned in 2008 about the secret results of an Alzheimer’s drug trial. The government says Martoma corrupted a University of Michigan professor in charge of the safety committee for what was hoped to be a breakthrough drug to control the incurable memory-destroying disease.
Martoma’s attorney insists he made a sensible decision to sell the bloated stocks of the pharmaceutical companies that sponsored the drug trial.
Southwest changing the look of its planes
DALLAS » Southwest Airlines is putting a new paint job on its planes, adding a splash of bright color as it enters middle age and faces many changes. The airline introduced its new livery Monday to a rally of several hundred employees.
Blue is still the dominant color, but the planes also will have red, yellow and blue swooshes on the tail and wingtips and "Southwest" in big letters along the side of the fuselage. The red belly is gone.
ON THE MOVE
The School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii has hired Evan Jordan as an assistant professor specializing in tourism and sustainable management. Prior to joining UH, Jordan taught tourism classes at Michigan State University and also served in government and industry positions at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Group 70 International has announced promotions to associate for the following employees who served in its civil engineering and architecture divisions:
» David Brotchie to associate and project manager in the civil engineering division. He has 20 years of civil engineering experience.
» Michael Bungcayao is an associate and civil project engineer and has eight years of civil engineering experience.
» Ryan Char is an associate and project engineer and has eight years of civil engineering experience.
» Carey Isobe is an associate and project manager/architect for the company and has 14 years of industry experience.
» Johnson Cheng is an associate and project architect with 17 years of combined experience in architectural and interior projects, including residential, retail and office commercial design.
Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Jim Landers to managing director-Hawaii maintenance. Prior to joining Hawaiian, Landers served in the Navy with more than 25 years of experience in aviation operations and organizational leadership.