In This Section:
Nestor Ibrahim Takes Reins At Southbend
McAlister’s Deli Slices New Territory
Walter Simon Wins FEDA's Lifetime Achievement Award
FEDA Signs Agreement With AutoQuotes
A Whole Lotta Moxie Outta Idaho
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Nestor Ibrahim Takes Reins At Southbend
Nestor Ibrahim has taken the presidential helm at Southbend, a division of Middleby Corp. He will oversee daily operations for the Fuquay Varina, N.C., company. Southbend specializes in commercial ranges and steamers.
"Nestor’s past experience and current knowledge of Southbend operations will be an asset as the division continues to grow and introduce new products," noted Selim Bassoul, Middleby president and CEO.
Ibrahim joined Middleby in 2003 as supply chain v.p. at the company’s corporate headquarters in Elgin, Ill. Before that, he logged 16 year’s experience in the foodservice and engineering industry with Stainless, Inc.
McAlister’s Deli Slices New Territory
Think of Ridgeland, Miss.-based McAlister’s Deli as a Panera without the bakery. Now think of it opening in new cities and states—about 35 total new stores in 2004, followed by more than 40 projected openings in ’05. The Ridgeland, Miss., deli chain now operates about 140 stores in 17 states. Growing markets include Texas, Tennessee, Missouri and Louisiana; new markets for ’05 will be Illinois and Kansas.
Like the Panera crowd, McAlister’s customers order and pay at the counter. Unlike the bakery chain, they then take a seat and wait for food to be delivered by a server. Menu favorites include club sandwiches, super-sized baked potatoes and signature iced teas.
The interior features bead-board siding, old Chicago-style brick order counters, white ceramic tile on the back walls and black-and-white checkerboard floors. The décor will get a new look in ‘05 when the company undergoes its first big redesign in five years.
A typical McAlister’s store covers 3,600 sq. ft. and seats about 130. The $120,000 equipment and smallwares package keeps the place running.
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Walter Simon Wins FEDA's Lifetime Achievement Award
In a unanimous vote, members of the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association’s Executive Committee chose Walter Simon, president of General Hotel & Restaurant Supply Corp. of Miami Lakes, Fla., as winner of the 2005 Sam Anoff Lifetime Achievement award.
The Sam Anoff award goes to those who have had a long career with a FEDA member dealership, significantly participate and contribute to the association, and have a passion for the industry and dealer-based distribution.
Simon’s involvement with FEDA has been strong throughout his career. He rose through board ranks to become association president; took the lead in the International Foodservice Equipment Distributors buying group; and ran a successful dealership in Miami while taking a lead role as a proponent of dealer-based distribution.
Simon’s achievements will be recognized at the annual 2005 FEDA Convention, to be held Mar. 16-20 in Indian Wells, Calif.
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FEDA Signs Agreement With AutoQuotes
If you’re a member of Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association, you’ll soon be able to save a lot of time exchanging transaction documents and tracking down hard-to-find equipment images and specs.
FEDA in late August announced the signing of a landmark five-year agreement with AutoQuotes, the Jacksonville, Fla., provider of equipment and supplies purchase and spec data, to use its Internet based XML protocol and software services to support a wide range of research and purchase activities.
More than 23,000 manufacturers, dealers, reps, consultants use the software every day, according to the company. Chicago-based FEDA is comprised of more than 300 U.S. dealer firms.
A Whole Lotta Moxie Outta Idaho
A new kid on the coffee block, going by the spunky name of Moxie Java Int'l., has big ideas these days. The 70-unit chain has plans to expand big-time, to 300 stores by 2008.
The Garden City, Idaho, coffee chain recently unveiled plans for Moxie Java Bistro, a new prototype designed to propel unit growth—and sales.
On the food side, Moxie Java Bistro hits all dayparts with a menu that includes sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads, gelato ice cream and a full line of bakery items.
And on the facilities side, the prototype will fuel sales with a double-window drive-through at its Moxie Java Express area. The store interior differs from other coffee chains as well. The Garden City flagship store will include a conference area for meetings with WiFi and PowerPoint presentation capabilities. A large-screen projection TV and two fireplaces round out the offerings.
The Bistro averages 2,000 sq. ft. with up to 40 seats and a $75,000 equipment package. By contrast, the company’s Café units cover 1,500 sq. ft., with 25 seats and a $40,000 equipment package.
The first freestanding Bistro opens in Omaha, Neb., in November. Look for as many as six to eight Bistro stores by yearend 2005, plus about 12 to 15 traditional Moxie Java Cafés.
Target markets include home-state Idaho, now with 35 locations, as well as Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Carolina.
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