Applebee's picks UtiliCorp as its national energy supplier.KANSAS CITY Kansas City, two adjacent cities of the same name, one (1990 pop. 149,767), seat of Wyandotte co., NE Kansas (inc. 1859), the other (1990 pop. 435,146), Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, NW Mo. (inc. 1850). , Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 1996--UtiliCorp United (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :UCU UCU University and College Union (UK) UCU Ucore Uranium Inc (stock symbol) UCU University College Utrecht (The Netherlands) UCU University Credit Union ) has been selected as the national energy supplier for Applebee's International, Inc., a developer, franchiser and operator of more than 700 casual dining restaurants under the trademarks Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar and Rio Bravo Cantina The Rio Bravo concept began in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the first restaurant opening in the Buckhead section of Atlanta in May 1985. The concept was created by Ray Shoenbaum in conjunction with Innovative Restaurant Concepts Inc (or IRC). in 45 states, Canada, the Caribbean and the Netherlands. In a related agreement, UtiliCorp was named the energy supplier for Apple South Inc., Applebee's largest franchisee. Apple South operates some 275 restaurants with approximately 70 percent of them under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar name. "These contracts prove there are tremendous savings and efficiencies in acquiring energy on a national basis, instead of customers individually handling the buying and supplying of natural gas and electricity," said Michael Rabicoff, regional marketing vice president for UtiliCorp. The contracts with Applebee's, based in Overland Park Overland Park, city (1990 pop. 111,790), Johnson co., NE Kans., a residential suburb of Kansas City; inc. 1960. There is printing and publishing, and the manufacture of apparel, aircraft parts, cement, prepared foods, salt, chemicals, marine accessories, and signs. , Kan., and Apple South of Madison, Ga., cover the purchase, supply and transport of natural gas in currently deregulated markets and allow for including electricity when it is deregulated. Natural gas is a deregulated commodity for retail markets in many states. Deregulation Deregulation The reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry, usually enacted to create more competition within the industry. Notes: Traditional areas that have been deregulated are the telephone and airline industries. of electricity began in 1992, but is currently limited to large industrial customers. UtiliCorp is the only utility currently marketing energy products and services on a nationwide basis. These are marketed under the EnergyOne(SM) brand. Several states are now considering deregulation measures that would allow businesses such as Applebee's, as well as residential customers, to buy electricity from companies other than the local utility. As that occurs, the contracts with Applebee's and Apple South would allow UtiliCorp's EnergyOne to also become their supplier of electricity. "There are many other energy services we offer to businesses like Applebee's, including an electronic billing Electronic billing is the electronic delivery and presentation of financial statements, bills, invoices, and related information sent by a company to its customers. Electronic billing is also referred to as the following:
In addition to Applebee's, UtiliCorp currently holds similar national contracts with McDonald's Restaurants There are more than 30,000 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries. Restaurants The first McDonald's was not a restaurant at all, but it was a sit-in stand. The company's early franchises were built to a standard pattern that did not offer seating; this was in part to prevent , Wendy's International, Service Merchandise and more than 100 school districts in Southern California. Based in Kansas City, UtiliCorp United is an international electric and gas company with total assets of $3.9 billion. The company has energy customers and operations across the U.S. and in Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. , Australia and Jamaica. The company recently announced a definitive merger agreement with Kansas City Power & Light Company. The merger is expected to be completed sometime next year. CONTACT: UtiliCorp United, Kansas City Media Contacts: Al Butkus, 816/467-3616 Media Relations, 816/467-3000 Investor Contacts: Dale Wolf, 816/467-3536 Ellen Fairchild, 816/467-3506 |
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