INSIDE DISH: Mug-n-Bun rides on 50-year formula
IBJ's new video feature on restaurateurs tries curbside
service at Speedway's Mug-n-Bun, unchanged in concept since the 1960s but now sporting subtle tweaks.
Retail
Articles
With five new acquisitions, Skillman builds car-lot dynasty
Ray Skillman bought five car lots in the last 12 months from other dealers who have struggled during the recession. Skillman now ranks among the five largest dealers in the area, and his chain is poised
for even more growth.
Many retail locations plagued by vacancies
Vacancy rates unseen in 20 years are hampering efforts by developers.
Santorini owner realizes ‘American Dream’ with national honor
Fountain Square eatery owner Taki Sawi is one of only three restaurant operators to receive an award given by National Restaurant
Association every two years.
INSIDE DISH: Restaurateur rebounds with Pizzology
After a sales slowdown during the recession forced him to close the high-end eatery L'explorateur, Neal Brown mulled
a move into Neopolitan-style pizza with friendlier price points. The result—Pizzology Pizzeria & Pub—is off
to a profitable start.
Biglari’s comparisons to Buffett debated
Sardar Biglari has copied some of the trademarks of his investing idol, Warren Buffett, including a folksy annual letter to
shareholders. But Biglari is just starting his career and already is showing signs of taking a different approach than that
of the Oracle of Omaha.
Simon Property Group cranks up bid for General Growth
Simon Property Group upped its offer for rival General Growth Properties Inc., pledging to invest $2.5 billion in a reorganization
and match the terms of a bankruptcy exit plan led by Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Local Scholars Inn sold, to reopen under new name
The Mass Ave. restaurant is set to become Mesh, which will feature a more casual atmosphere and menu, as well as a new operator who will
lease the space
from the building’s owners.
Report: Simon may drop General Growth bid
Shares in General Growth Properties Inc., the second-biggest U.S. mall owner, fell as much as 6.7 percent Monday morning after
a newsletter report that Simon Property Group Inc. may abandon a takeover bid for its smaller rival.
INSIDE DISH: Harried chef at R bistro tries to keep it fresh
In IBJ's new video feature on front-burner business issues that vex restaurants, Regina Mehallick
of downtown's R bistro mulls the financial and personal demands of running a chef-owned eatery with a menu that changes
every week.
Steak n Shake unveils new restaurant prototype
The company now known as Biglari Holdings Inc. on Thursday unveiled a new prototype for future Steak n Shake restaurants.
CEO Sardar Biglari said the goal is to open about 1,500 new franchise locations in the coming years.
UPDATE: Steak n Shake shareholders OK name change
Steak n Shake Co. shareholders on Thursday approved changing the parent company’s name to Biglari Holdings Inc. Shares
begin trading under the new name on Friday.
Steak n Shake CEO woos investors in New York City
Steak n Shake Co. doesn't operate a single restaurant in New York City, where it is hosting its annual meeting Thursday.
But the world financial capital is chock full of high-profile investors intrigued by Steak n Shake CEO Sardar Biglari's
plans to harvest cash from the 485-location restaurant chain and deploy it on other investments.
Red Key’s rules will live on after owner’s death
Russel Settle, 92, was renowned for telling customers at the landmark Red Key Tavern to mind their manners in the northside
pub featured in a Dan Wakefield novel.
Tenant exit leaves Circle Centre 4th floor almost vacant
Departure of GameWorks arcade leaves another 27,000 square feet of vacant space on the mall’s fourth floor, which has struggled
for years to
keep tenants.
Fishers approves $19M auto mall development
The town has agreed to create a tax-increment financing district to help fund infrastructure improvements for Butler Automotive
Group’s proposed development.
Famous handbag maker hits local retailers with lawsuits
In an effort to crack down on knockoffs, famous handbag designer Coach Inc. has hit at least three local retailers with trademark-infringement
lawsuits.
General Growth preparing to file finance plan
General Growth is weighing options to exit Chapter 11 protection, with competing bids from Indianapolis-based Simon Property
Group Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Finish Line reports big jump in sales, profit
Shares of athletic retail specialist The Finish Line Inc. were soaring in after-hours trading Thursday after the company reported
strong fourth-quarter sales and a growing pile of cash on its pristine balance sheet.
Fishers Town Council set to review auto mall plans
Butler Automotive Group is proposing a $19 million development along Indiana 37 that could include five auto dealerships and
create about 230 jobs.