Spaces in this fall’s AutoQuotes’ 2011 Roadshow Training Sessions, offered in conjunction with the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, are filling up. Five cities will host sessions focusing on... »

Singer Equipment Co., one of the country’s largest E&S distributors, has acquired the assets of M. Tucker, the leading dealer in the greater New York City market. The Elverson, Pa., company’s acquisition, announced June 17,... »

When it comes to high-profile, multi-chain ownership, there’s a new kid on the block. Atlanta-based Roark Group has signed a definitive agreement to purchase a majority stake in Arby’s from Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, the third largest... »

Michael Tinsley is the new CEO at Grindmaster-Cecilware Corp. in Louisville, Ky. Tinsley most recently served as CEO of Permian Holdings, but spent much of his early career in the foodservice equipment industry, including... »

Two appointments have been announced by Manitowoc Foodservice. Robert Wonder has joined the New Port Richey, Fla., company as sr. v.p.-global accounts. He will be responsible for directing and executing all aspects of sales... »

Debbie Hanson has been promoted to group v.p.-sales and marketing of Star Holdings Int’l., a division of The Middleby Corp. Hanson most recently held the title v.p.-sales and marketing for Pitco and Magikitch’n, based in... »

Pedro Voyer has joined Church’s Chicken as global chief development officer. Voyer’s responsibilities at the 1,700-unit chain include franchising, international and domestic market development, re-imaging, construction,... »

Au Bon Pain has announced the launch of a major cafe remodeling program that will transform all of its cafes.  Under the initiative, the Boston-based fast-casual company has already remodeled a majority of its cafes in one... »

A management-led group has completed the acquisition of Sizzler USA’s U.S. interests from Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners, which had owned both Sizzler’s domestic and international operations since 2005. Sizzler USA currently... »

A year after it marked its first 50 years, the Dietary Managers Association is looking ahead and proposing several bylaws changes that will help lead the organization into the future.  Foremost is a proposed change of the... »

The recent spate of weaker than expected economic data on jobs, spending and housing helped push down most forecasts of economic growth in the U.S. this year, according to the latest consensus data from Blue Chip Economic... »

Wholesale food prices fell in May for only the second time in 11 months, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Indexes. Overall prices at the wholesale level were down 1.3% from April, the National... »

The foodservice market in the United Kingdom will show little if any real growth this year, according to Peter Backman, principal of Horizons, the London-based hospitality research firm. Current-dollar growth is forecast at a... »

Fortunately, gasoline prices fell again last week for the fifth consecutive week, but the declines haven’t cheered up consumers very much. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported the average price for a gallon of... »

On June 8, small business, including members of the National Restaurant Association, declared victory when the U.S. Senate reaffirmed limits on the swipe fees that banks charge businesses for debit card transactions. The reforms... »

The public comment period has just ended but the outcry against impending menu-labeling requirements has been renewed. Previously, the foodservice industry had accepted the new policies included in the 2010 healthcare law because... »

No state is racing to join California in banning trans fats. Just a few weeks after the Illinois State Senate voted down a proposed ban, its counterpart in Ohio has added an amendment to the proposed state budget that would ban... »

Hungary’s state-run news service, MTI, reported June 10 that the country plans to demand fast-food restaurants cut the calorie and salt content of their food and drink offerings and may make them pay for public-health... »

Rubbermaid Commercial Products is going back to the future and adding manufacturers’ reps to its sales team. The company announced it is expanding its sales force to create a distinct foodservice channel sales structure. The... »

Ice-O-Matic has appointed Terry Hoelle, CFSP, as its director of sales. Hoelle will focus on leading U.S. sales efforts in distribution and channel development. Hoelle joins the Denver-based company after nine years with... »

Sheila Palinkas has joined Leer Inc. USA as national sales manager. The New Lisbon, Wis., company manufactures walk-in coolers and freezers under the Leer and Carroll Cooler brands. Prior to joining Leer, Palinkas was director of... »

SPG Int’l. has welcomed Karen Edwards as v.p.-sales, responsible for sales team leadership, driving revenue and new business development. Edwards most recently served as national sales manager at Sani-Floor and Multiteria, and... »

Electrolux cut the ribbon on its new southeast regional distribution center in Fairburn, Ga., on May 13. The company says its new 600,000 sq.ft, state-of-the-art distribution center and product showroom will optimize product... »

Insinger Machine Co., the Philadelphia-based warewashing equipment maker, has received approval and verification by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Insinger CEO Robert... »

Electronic communications in general and the Internet in particular are double-edged swords, as the news media have shown lately. You can get bamboozled in a hurry, you can get fake information, and in the blink of an eye you can... »