ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 3, 1995                   TAG: 9510030105
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NASCAR HAS MORE COOKING THAN JUST CARS

Move over, Harley-Davidson, Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood. NASCAR plans on opening theme restaurants of its own.

NASCAR will open 10 cafes within five years, the first next summer in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The second will open in 1998 in Orlando, Fla.

``We view this project as a logical extension of our licensing business and its efforts to build the NASCAR brand nationwide,'' said Brian France, NASCAR's vice president of marketing.

Connor Management, based in Knoxville, Tenn., received a long-term license to build and manage the chain. NASCAR said cafes will include surround-sound video boards, electronic games, memorabilia and actual stock cars.

Officially licensed NASCAR products also will be sold at the cafes.

NASCAR Cafes will join a crowded market for theme restaurants.

The Fashion Cafe opened in New York last spring and plans on expanding. Motown also opened in New York, and two new entrants also are planned: Television City and the All-Star Cafe.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING 


 by CNB