Staff and members of the North American Food Equipment Manufacturers Association are wearing big smiles with the announcement of official attendance figures for February’s NAFEM Show. The numbers bear out the optimism felt on the show floor. Attendance was up 8% over `09. With manufacturers and reps, more than 18,500 foodservice professionals participated in the…

Heading to Chicago in May for the National Restaurant Show? Come in a day early for a closer look at energy trends. On May 20, the Energy Center of Wisconsin, a nonprofit firm offering energy efficiency research and education, is partnering with ComEd to deliver “Energy Efficiency in Commercial Foodservice,” a training workshop with Don…

Not only is FreshBerry marking its 40th unit opening, the chain is also celebrating its biggest overseas expansion. The frozen yogurt chain has signed a deal to open 12 stores in the Middle East, part of an agreement between parent Beautiful Brands Int’l. and Saudi-based United Food Co. In addition to opening stores in nine…

The American hamburger concept continues to be ever popular throughout the world. Johnny Rockets has expanded into the Korean market, partnering with Shinsegae Food Co. to open its first restaurant in that country. Shinsegae plans to open five restaurants in Korea during the next five years. The 1,067-sq.-ft. Johnny Rockets restaurant is located in a…

Serving tacos morning, noon and night has boosted expansion for Chronic Tacos. The 10-year-old San Clemente, Calif., chain is experiencing a better than 20% increase in store counts. The fast-casual Mexican chain added six units in the past year, growing to 36 units in Arizona, California, Idaho and Nevada. Chronic Tacos expanded into Vancouver, Canada,…

Major metro areas are to going to see a few more Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. The Tampa, Fla., double-drive through chain has signed agreements with four franchisees to develop a dozen new restaurants in Baltimore, Detroit, New York and Philadelphia. At least four of the units will be opened by the end of the year. It’s…

LongHorn Steakhouse, part of the Darden family of restaurants, has opened its ninth unit in Darden’s home base, Orlando, Fla. The Lake Buena Vista location is the first LongHorn Steakhouse—and one of 10 Darden restaurants overall—designed to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. This 6,400-sq.-ft. restaurant is part of Darden’s Sustainable Restaurant Design…

Australian chain Oporto Chicken & Burgers opened its first American unit in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in February. The fast-casual concept focuses on grilled chicken burgers and a Portuguese-flavored menu. The restaurant is the first of three California locations planned by Cluck Ltd.; the cities of Ontario and Glendora will be home to the other sites.…

Former NFL coach-turned-restaurateur Don Shula plans to debut yet another concept bearing his name. Shula Burger will feature gourmet burgers and a build-your-own burger menu. The concept, now franchising along Florida’s east coast, expects to have more than 100 locations under development within five years. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company operates Shula’s Steak House, Shula’s…

Foodservice contract management firm Sodexo will be providing foodservice at 31 Marine Corps garrison mess halls in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The company also has signed a master retail license agreement with celebrity chef Mai Pham to bring her concept, Star Ginger Asian Grill & Noodle Bar, to Sodexo operations. Star…