Googling gets easier: Google has swallowed restaurant review service Zagat to ramp up its efforts to connect people with local businesses. The founders, husband-and-wife team Nina and Tim Zagat, say they will remain co-chairs of the 32-year-old company and will use Google’s resources and expertise to expand. Zagat currently offers reviews and ratings on restaurants in more than 100 cities around the world, based largely on surveys of diners. Google plans to integrate New York-based Zagat with its search and mapping products, where users are already invited to write reviews of businesses and services. Georges in Georgia: Georges Enterprises of Elmwood is further expanding its food-service operations with the acquisition of Clifford D. Fite Co. of Cedartown, Ga. The $50 million food-service distributor supplies 1,000 convenience stores, supermarkets and drugstores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. Georges Enterprises also owns full-service food vending companies, and in 2009 acquired ownership in Galatoire’s restaurants in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Roundup: Google buys restaurant review service Zagat … Georges Enterprises acquires Georgia food distributor
