BRIEFCASE.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

Seven-state plan for the IHOP chain

GLENDALE - IHOP Corp. will expand its presence in seven states, as the chain announced plans on Monday to add as many as 63 new pancake restaurant franchises in the next 10 years. The company currently has 1,198 restaurants, with agreements being worked out for an additional 51 to add to the pipeline.

As part of the deals announced Monday, Landmark Restaurant Group Inc. got exclusive franchise rights to California, with plans to add 41 new restaurants.

Former Vans exec gets prison term

A former vice president of Santa Fe Springs-based Vans Inc. was sentenced on Monday to 71 months in prison for taking $4.7 million in bribes and kickbacks from Chinese factories that produced shoes and clothing for the company.

Scott Brabson, 50, and a company consultant, William Rosendahl, 48, were indicted last year on multiple counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud and foreign travel to promote commercial bribery.

GM recall affects 2 million vehicles

WASHINGTON - General Motors Corp. is recalling more than 2 million vehicles, including nearly 1.5 million sport utility vans and pickup trucks that have problems with their seat belts.

The company said Monday that a few minor injuries were associated with the six separate recalls and that owners would be notified of the problems by mail.

Among the vehicles affected were 1.48 million SUVs and pickups from the 2003-2005 model years, including the Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche; Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Yukon XL, Yukon; and the Hummer H2s.

T-bill rates mark high since 2001

WASHINGTON - Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills rose in Monday's auction to the highest levels since September 2001.

The Treasury Department auctioned $16 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 2.88 percent, up from 2.805 percent last week. An additional $14 billion in six-month bills was auctioned at a discount rate of 3.09 percent, up from 3.04 percent last week.

Ruth's Chris files for public offering

NEW YORK - Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc., an operator of high-end steak restaurants, on Monday filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of up to 235 million common shares.

Details about how many shares would be offered, and in what price range, weren't disclosed. Ruth's Chris said it expects the IPO to take place later this year, and will apply to have its shares listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol RUTH.