The National Restaurant Association has slated two webinars in January for its members. On Thursday, Jan. 17, the association will host “Health Care Law: Next Steps for Restaurateurs.” Operators large and small will feel the... »

Hundreds of New York area restaurants estimated to have been damaged by late October’s Hurricane Sandy were granted a two-month respite from the city’s letter-grade inspections. But on Jan. 2, the New York City Department of... »

Blanco CS has been renamed Blanco Professional. The family-owned company headquartered in Oberderdingen, Germany, says it is revising its name to make its objective clear: professionals producing for professionals. "The... »

San Antonio-based Mission Restaurant Supply has acquired Metroplex Restaurant Equipment, a Fort Worth, Texas-based E&S dealership. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Metroplex’s previous owners, Danny Terrell and Ed... »

It isn’t just chains making footprints in the Middle East. Restaurant Equipment World has opened a location in Dubai, UAE. The office will support the Orlando, Fla., firm's clients in the Middle East/North Africa region, and... »

Chefs’ Toys has acquired the assets of Star Restaurant Equipment & Supply of Van Nuys, Calif. Through the deal, which was official Dec. 3, Fountain Valley, Calif.-based Chefs’ Toys will operate Star as a fourth branch of... »

Lois Thompson, 85, the founder of Hiawatha Chef Supply, passed away Nov. 27 after a long battle with emphysema. The former Lois Murker started the Escanaba, Mich., dealership in 1955, in partnership with Doug Wescott.... »

We write a lot about the future in this space, trying to help you assess what the E&S market may bring in the way of opportunities and challenges. But it’s also good to look at the recent past. As we approach the end of... »

Foodservice equipment is getting more complex and the need for trained technicians is ever-growing. Also increasing is the stream of veterans returning from military service overseas who need jobs in the civilian sector. Service... »

Long-time MAFSI member and past president Ray Ward died suddenly on Dec. 5. Ward spent 30 years as a manufacturers’ rep in upstate New York, where he was a principal of Rochester-based Quality Rep Source. The firm merged in 2007... »

Have you saved the date for FER's evening honoring 17 organizations and individuals? The new industry awards event Friday evening, Feb. 8, during The NAFEM `13 Show, includes dinner and awards presentations at the Peabody... »

The National Restaurant Association expects continuing modest growth for the foodservice industry next year, in spite of many uncertainties, with current dollar growth forecast at 3.8% and growth after price inflation of 0.8%.... »

The MAFSI Business Barometer unexpectedly improved in the third quarter, as overall sales for manufacturers’ reps climbed to 4.3% in the quarter versus sales in the same quarter last year, the best performance since a 4.7% gain... »

The Home of the Whopper is growing its global empire. After debuting last year in Brazil, China and Russia—and inking an agreement to open its first store in South Africa this year—Burger King Worldwide is returning to France.... »

It’s another bite of the burger market for Luby’s Inc. The Houston chain, which purchased 59 company-owned Fuddruckers two years ago, is acquiring the 23-unit Cheeseburger in Paradise chain for about $11 million. Co-branding is... »

Unified Brands has hired Neil Kirven as healthcare segment manager. His responsibilities include creating and executing strategic product management. Kirven was previously president of Burlodge USA, an Ali Group company. In... »

Diversified Foodservice Supply, the parent company of AllPoints Foodservice Parts and Supplies, Tundra Specialties, and other brands in the parts, supplies, equipment and accessories distribution industry, has acquired Franklin... »

Libbey Inc. has become the exclusive U.S. distributor for two longtime German glass and servingware manufacturers. Libbey will distribute Spiegelau and Nachtmann products. Spiegelau, founded in 1521, makes fine stemware and... »

Tony Kaszuba, president of RMA Hospitality Management, has been nominated as this year’s Society for Foodservice Management’s 2013 Hennessy Traveler. The Hennessy Traveler program promotes educational opportunities for members... »

Two economic reports released last Friday, Dec. 7, obscured even more the short-term outlook for U.S. consumer spending. On the one side, the top-line numbers in the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report came in better... »

For the first time in 14 months, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index fell below the 100 level that separates industry expansion from contraction in the October survey.  Worries about the... »

According to a new report, there’s a huge gap between the number of food-safety violations in Louisiana’s restaurants and the number of penalties actually levied in the state. A new legislative audit shows that Louisiana's... »

The California State Board of Equalization has launched a new online sales and use tax guide for restaurant owners to assist operators in navigating the state’s maze of tax issues. The interactive website provides both general... »

The National Restaurant Association has added two former Capitol Hill staffers to its policy and government affairs department. Laura Abshire has been named director of sustainability policy and government affairs. She’ll lead... »

Two months after it strengthened its presence in the South by acquiring Georgia-based Century Concepts, distribution giant TriMark USA has purchased San Francisco Bay-based Federighi Design. The design house, headquartered in... »