Market Trends

NEW YORK - Wendy's International Inc. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fresh Enterprises Inc., the owner and operator of the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - ACNielsen U.S. has announced the launch of the Homescan RX/OTC Consumer Panel, a new research service that measures consumer purchases and use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

LONDON - The U.K.'s Sainsbury said in the 12 months to March, pre-tax profits before one-off items were up 14 percent to 627 million pounds ($915.7 million), the BBC reports.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. has become the latest target of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), as the animal rights group persuades businesses to adopt tougher policies on the mistreatment of animals, the Cincinnati Post reports.

NEW YORK - McDonald's Corp. is exploring how to use its restaurant locations to sell items other than food, Wednesday's Wall Street Journal reported.

PHILADELPHIA - In an effort to organize employees at Norristown, Pa.-based Genuardi's Family Markets, five United Food and Commercial Workers union locals are planning a big campaign over Memorial Day weekend, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

MILWAUKEE - The $750 million sale of Roundy's Inc. to a Chicago investment firm received shareholder approval Tuesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House Wednesday approved a bill to increase funding for bioterrorism preparedness by $4.6 billion and to renew the law under which prescription drugmakers pay "user fees" to the FDA to speed the drug review process, Reuters reports.