Its home base in the Golden State continues to be fertile ground for new Straw Hat Pizza restaurants. The Walnut Creek, Calif., chain has announced plans to open seven new franchised locations there in the first quarter of 2011.... »

Denny’s Corp. has appointed John C. Miller as president and CEO. Miller succeeds Debra Smithart-Oglesby, who had filled the post on an interim basis since June 2010; she will continue as company board chair. Miller brings a... »

We know your feet are still recovering from walking the aisles at NAFEM, and your Blackberry is full of new contacts and product ideas. But there are a few more shows you might not want to miss. Equipment is the focus at... »

McDonald’s is laying out some big plans for China and Korea to compete with chains both American and homegrown. In China, McDonald’s plans to raise capital spending by 40% over 2010 levels. It will build as many as 200 new stores... »

Wendy's/Arby's Group is planning to focus on its burger business. The nation’s third-largest quick-service restaurant company said last week it was exploring strategic alternatives for the 3,700-unit Arby’s chain. A sale was not... »

The Cheesecake Factory is making its first international foray, inking an exclusive licensing agreement with the Kuwait-based Alshaya group of companies to build and operate restaurants in the Middle East. The agreement covers... »

Gordon F. Oates Sr., an industry leader and a 38-year veteran of Vulcan-Hart Corp., died Jan. 16. He was 86. Oates’ career in the foodservice equipment industry was dedicated to Vulcan-Hart. He joined the manufacturer in October... »

Hooters of America will answer to a new parent. In a transaction ending nearly three decades of family ownership, a group of private investors has bought the Atlanta-based restaurant chain from the estate of Robert Brooks, who... »

Tom Donovan has been promoted to the post of v.p.-sales for Unified Brands. Donovan will manage dealer, national chain, retail and international business for the manufacturer’s A la Cart, Avtec, Groen and Randell product lines.... »

Now celebrating its 125th anniversary, Cooper-Atkins Corp. has made some organizational changes in sales and marketing. Bill Eggers has been appointed to the newly created position of v.p.-marketing and key accounts. He will... »

The great American doughnut is entering a new market: Iraq. Nearly 100 Dixie Cream Donut Co. restaurants will open in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Syria and U.A.E. under an agreement between the chain’s parent, Beautiful Brands Int’l.,... »

As we went to press Jan. 18, Yum! Brands announced plans to sell its Long John Silver’s and A&W All-American Food Restaurants concepts. The company is in the process of identifying possible buyers for the chains’ 1,630... »

Nemco Food Equipment has acquired the Fresh-O-Matic countertop steamer line from Manitowoc Foodservice. The acquisition of the half-century-old product line is effective immediately. Nemco, a maker of countertop equipment and... »

Manitowoc Foodservice has announced the next stage of its ongoing evolution to enhance market responsiveness around the globe, from product development to customer contact and support. Changes to Manitowoc’s organizational... »

Tomlinson Industries is joining an exclusive club in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. This year, the manufacturer--founded by A.E. Tomlinson in 1911 as Tomlinson Steam Specialty Co., representing a line of steam... »

The great American doughnut is entering a new market: Iraq. Nearly 100 Dixie Cream Donut Co. restaurants will open in Iraq, U.A.E., Jordan, Qatar and Syria under an agreement between the chain’s parent, Beautiful Brands Int’l.,... »

Cinnabon Inc., one of Focus Brands’ five concepts, has named Kat Cole as president just three months after she joined the Atlanta-based chain as COO. She takes over from Gary Bales, who will retain his post as president of... »

Corner Bakery Cafe is getting bigger in Texas. The Dallas company plans to double its current store total there to 140 locations, and open its first restaurant in the booming Austin market. The fast-casual restaurant has already... »

The Manitowoc Co. is spinning off Kysor/Warren, a maker of refrigerated display merchandisers and systems for the retail grocery and c-store markets. On Dec. 15, the company announced a definitive agreement for the divestiture of... »

Carlson Restaurants will be focusing exclusively on T.G.I. Friday’s. After a nine-year ownership run, the Carrollton, Texas, company has sold its Pick Up Stix chain to Lorne Goldberg, the owner of the Leeann Chin and Mandarin... »

Genghis Grill, which grew to 59 units with four grand openings at year’s end, is branching out. An affiliate of The Chalak Group, parent of the Mongolian stir-fry chain, has acquired 33 Yum! Brands franchised restaurants. The... »

Colin Lacey has been appointed by Manitowoc Foodservice as v.p.-service for Europe, Middle East, Asia (EMEA). Lacey is now responsible for coordinating all service activities for Manitowoc Foodservice brands across the... »

Noodles & Company, the Colorado-based, privately owned chain of more than 245 fast-casual restaurants in 18 states, has been acquired by an investment group that's led by Catterton Partners. Financial terms of the acquisition... »

Did you miss it? Tomorrow, Jan. 7, is the deadline for submitting Kitchens Innovations Awards applications to the National Restaurant Association. The prestigious awards program recognizes the most innovative equipment worldwide,... »

AllPoints Foodservice Parts & Supplies, the Mount Prospect, Ill., parts and supplies distributor, is under new ownership. Denver-based private-equity firm KRG Capital Partners has acquired Consolidated Equipment Parts and its... »