The equipment battle has ended. The gourmet burger battle has begun.The Wendy’s Co. has settled a lawsuit with franchise group WendPartners over bun-toasting equipment the company required in order to introduce its new cheeseburger, Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy. WendPartners has agreed to install new toasters in the 329 outlets it operates in 20 states. Terms…

Filippo Berti has been named chairman and CEO of Ali Group North America. Berti succeeds Robert Nerbonne in overseeing the Group’s North American companies, including Aladdin Temp-Rite, ACP/Amana, Belshaw/Adamatic, Beverage-Air, Burlodge North America, Carpigiani U.S.A., the Champion Group (Champion, BiLine, Moffat, Moyer Diebel), CMA, Edlund, Electro Freeze, Eloma and Victory Refrigeration. Berti had been president…

A decade of in-depth conversations and successful networking has FER’s staff gearing up for its sixth biennial Multiunit Foodservice Equipment Symposium. MUFES 2012, set for Jan. 28-30, 2012, at the Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, will include a full slate of equipment-oriented educational programs and breakout discussions. And while MUFES ’12 will…

Two top franchisee groups are acquiring Long John Silver’s and A&W Restaurants from Yum! Brands. The sales will close in the fourth quarter, Yum! said. The Louisville, Ky.-based foodservice giant, which also franchises KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, said the 1,000-unit Long John Silver’s will be sold to LJS Partners, a consortium of franchisees…

Jay Bravinder has joined CHAMPION INDUSTRIES as director of sales for the Champion and Bi-Line brands. Bravinder joins the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based manufacturer from Strategic Equipment and Supply Corp., where he was equipment sales manager overseeing national accounts within the dealer community. He also spent 13 years as sales manager for Hobart Corp.      

Oneida Ltd., one of the oldest tabletop manufacturers in the United States and the parent of

David Ciampoli has assumed the office of v.p.-sales and marketing for

CICI’S PIZZA is focused on the kitchen. Clif Geisler, newly named director-operational systems, is leading company-wide equipment testing, including induction heating for soups, pastas and sauces. Rebecca Stone, senior director-food and beverage, will use her R&D experience with Burger King, Domino’s, Little Caesar’s and Pizza Hut to lead CiCi’s R&D process. The Coppell, Texas, pizza…