Expansion News--A&W, Captain D's, La Quinta Inns <b></b>

Raleigh, North Carolina-A&W Restaurants Inc. isexpanding its presence in airports with the opening of an A&Wrestaurant at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in NorthCarolina by franchisee Anton Airfoods Inc. The new restaurant isslated for a summer opening. Two more A&W restaurants will openin the same airport in the fall. -Yorkshire GlobalRestaurants Inc.

Nashville-Captain D's Seafood announced that thecompany is embarking on its most aggressive expansion effort in its32-year history. The expansion, which will significantly increasethe number of both franchised and company-owned restaurants, willresult in approximately two-thirds of the company's restaurantsbeing operated by franchisees, up from one-third today.

Captain D's will continue to expand in the Midwest andSoutheast while exploring other markets, including Denver, Houston,Indianapolis and St. Louis. -Nichol & Co. Ltd.

Irving, Texas-La Quinta Inns is accelerating its growthplans, adding hotels despite a soft economy that has slowed theexpansion plans of some of its competitors.

Capitalizing on a strong, well-regarded brand, the company isgrowing through its new franchise program, as well as through theconstruction of a handful of company-owned units, says Butch Cash,La Quinta's president and CEO. The hotel chain launched itsfranchising program in September and has already signed 31agreements. Fifteen franchised hotels will open this year.-Dallas Business Journal