McDonald’s to offer salad, fruit swaps

McDonald’s says it will start giving customers the choice of a salad, fruit or vegetable as a substitute for french fries in its value meals.

McDonald’s Corp. will roll out the change early next year in the U.S., where people will be able to pick a salad instead of fries at no extra cost. McDonald’s says it already lets customers make such swaps in some countries, such as France.

But it says it now will work to make the options available in 20 of its biggest markets around the world. McDonald’s, which has more than 34,000 locations around the world, said the change will be in place in 30 to 50 percent of the areas within the next three years and 100 percent the regions by 2020.

Einstein bagel shop coming to Gonzaga

Einstein Bros. Bagels is opening a bagel and coffee shop at Gonzaga University next month.

The restaurant is part of the large chain of bagel shops that include franchise brands Noah’s New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel.

The Einstein shop will be in Cataldo Hall on the west side of campus. It will be open every weekday starting at 7:30 a.m. and weekends beginning at 10:30 a.m.

New home tours start this weekend

The ninth Fall Festival of Homes, presented by the Spokane Home Builders Association, starts this weekend and continues Oct. 4-6.

The free event provides views of 32 new homes built by 18 area companies. Nine are in Spokane Valley, nine are in North Spokane and five are in Liberty Lake.

The four host sites where visitors can register for prizes are River District in Liberty Lake, Elk Ridge Heights in the Spokane Valley, Five Mile Heights in north Spokane and Eagle Ridge in South Spokane.

Hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. For maps or more information, go to Spokane FestivalofHomes.com.

J.C. Penney stock sale will help raise funds

PLANO, Texas – J.C. Penney Co. plans to sell up to 96.6 million shares of common stock in a public offering, evidence the chain is looking to shore up its cash reserves ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely competitive holiday shopping season.

Based on Thursday’s closing price of $10.42, the company would raise proceeds of more than $1 billion before expenses.

Smithfield closes sale to China’s Shuanghui

RICHMOND, Va. – Pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. on Thursday completed its sale to Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., the largest shareholder of China’s biggest meat processor.

The deal approved by shareholders earlier this week is the largest takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese firm, valued at about $7.1 billion including debt.

Toyota issues recall for Sienna minivans

TORRANCE, Calif. – Toyota is recalling 615,000 Sienna minivans in the U.S. because they can inadvertently shift out of park and roll away.

The recall involves Siennas from the 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 model years.

Toyota said Thursday that the shift locking device can potentially be damaged. If that happens, the minivans can shift out of park even if the driver isn’t depressing the brake pedal.

Toyota said it has gotten reports of 21 accidents and 2 injuries related to the problem.

Dealers will replace the shift-lock device for free.

From staff and wire reports