The Oak Brook-based fast-food giant Tuesday said the latest increase reflects its confidence in its business and progress in the company's revitalization efforts.

McDonald's also raised its annual dividend last year by 70 percent.

Abuelo's Mexican restaurant to open

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy Restaurant will open at Deerfield Towne Center in November. Abuelo's bills itself as serving authentic Mexican food in an open-air courtyard atmosphere.

The decor includes hand-carved stone statues and hand-painted murals depicting the history of Mexico. House specialties use beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, mahi-mahi and salmon in signature sauces.

The restaurant is owned by Lubbock, Texas-based Food Concepts International. The other Abuelo's in Ohio opened at Easton Town Center outside Columbus in July.

Lebanon Citizens to add 2 branches

Lebanon Citizens National Bank plans to open two new branches, including one in a high school.

The bank plans a branch at 765 Nilles Road in Fairfield and one at 1916 Drake Road, inside of Lebanon High School.

The school branch, expected to open in January, will be staffed by students and run by the bank's management. It will include an ATM, full-service banking and help students learn about banking and finance. It will be the bank's fourth branch in Lebanon.

The Fairfield branch, the bank's fifth in Butler County, is expected to open in November.

Lebanon Citizens National Bank, with deposits of about $445 million, now has 18 branches in Warren, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Clinton counties.

Ex-video wedding firm drops WXIX-TV suit

A defunct wedding video production company has dropped its defamation suit against Cincinnati's WXIX-TV-(Channel 19).

The suit was filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court by Cary and Martha Tomarin of the bankrupt company Visions.

They alleged that Channel 19 defamed them in a news report. Channel 19 denied the allegations and moved for dismissal.

The voluntary withdrawal notice, filed on behalf of the Tomarins by lawyer Geoffrey Damon, offered no explanation for the withdrawal.

P&G approves deal for Herbal Essences

Procter & Gamble Co. has signed a deal with m-Qube in Boston to provide a "mobile storefront" for its Herbal Essences brand. Consumers can access music, marketing content and images at www.herbalessences.com/mobile, the two companies said Tuesday in a statement.

"Teens and young adults view mobile content as an integral part of their lifestyle and frequently update and personalize their mobile phones," said Mimi McGrath, interactive marketing manager for Herbal Essences.

Conference offers market expansion tips

The Ohio Department of Development's Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, in collaboration with the Small Business Administration and the Manufacturing Small Business Development Center at TechSolve, will sponsor a conference for Ohio manufacturers interested in procurement opportunities.

The conference, "Reeling in the Opportunities - Capturing Business in the Government and International markets -- is being held 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oct. 26 at the Marriott North, 6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus.

This is an opportunity for Ohio manufacturers to develop new markets for their products, and will provide training on how manufacturers can expand into government and international contracts.

For more information or to register for the "Reeling in the Opportunities - Capturing Business in the Government and International Markets, call (614) 728-2689 or visit www.ohiomfgconference.com.