Hospitality in brief

Women restaurant ownership strong

Nearly half of restaurants are owned by women, according to a new study by the National Restaurant Association.

Restaurants employ more minority managers than any other industry, the association stated, adding that Hispanic restaurant ownership has increased 42 percent in the past five years.

“Many lawmakers may not know that America”™s restaurants run on an average profit margin of three to four percent,” said Scott DeFife, executive vice president for policy and government affairs at the National Restaurant Association, in a prepared statement.  “It is critical that there is a commitment in Congress and in state capitols to a pro-business climate that helps America”™s restaurants continue to be an engine of economic and job growth.”

Eateries see recovery

U.S. restaurant industry sales are expected to increase 3.6 percent this year after a three-year period of declines, according to a report by the National Restaurant Association.

Quick-service restaurants are expected to grow at a 3.3 percent pace, slightly faster than full-service restaurants. Of all categories tracked by the National Restaurant Association, social-event caterers are expected to increase the fastest at 6.2 percent, followed by hotel restaurants at 5.7 percent.

The economic downturn has created a substantial pent-up demand for restaurant services, according to the association ”“ more than two out of five consumers say they are not dining out or using takeout as often as they would like.

Food shows set

Organizers expect more than 12,000 people to attend the International Restaurant and Food Service Show of New York beginning Feb. 27 at New York City”™s Jacob K. Javits Center.

The conference is sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association.

The Connecticut Restaurant Association is a sponsor of the New England Food Show scheduled for March 20-22 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Batali comes to Westport

Celebrity chef Mario Batali is opening his first Connecticut restaurant in the Saugatuck section of Westport, to be called the Tarry Lodge Enoteca and Pizzeria.

Batali has partnership interests in several New York restaurants, and was a personality on Food Networks”™ “Iron Chef” television show.

A Batali-led team spent $900,000 for property at 30 Charles St., according to the Westport News, with the building formerly the site of the Abbondanza food store and Bonda restaurant.

iPark hotel proposed

The developer of iPark Norwalk now wants to build a hotel on the portion of the property that sits in Wilton, according to the Norwalk Hour, as large portions of the former Perkin Elmer lab remain vacant.

Physicians affiliated with Norwalk Hospital have occupied portions of the building, and LA Fitness built a health center on the property.

A new hotel would provide competition for the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk located just south.