Restaurants and other foodservice operations are heeding a warning shot regarding their hiring practices. A federal investigation into the paperwork on Chipotle Mexican Grill’s immigrant labor force has forced the chain to fire hundreds of allegedly illegal employees in Minnesota. The Denver-based chain continues to be the target of an ongoing investigation into the hiring…

California and its cities may lead the way in many trends, but at least one state is not following its lead in banning toys with fast-food meals. Nebraska has decided to “indefinitely postpone” legislation that would have restricted restaurants from including toys in kids’ meals unless the food met certain nutritional criteria. San Francisco is…

Grades matter. And for New York operators, getting top marks can save money. Restaurant owners whose operations earn an A grade at their first or second inspection under the city’s letter-grading system will no longer pay fines. The change was announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in January after months of complaints from restaurant owners about…

Greg Fischer of Cambro Mfg., Tom Szafranski of Hobart Corp/ITW Food Equipment Group, and Ken Murray of San Jamar-Chef Revival were elected to three-year terms on the board of directors of the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers. Joe Carlson of Lakeside Mfg. was re-elected to a second three-year term. The election results were…

Eleven new units opening in 2011 are just the beginning of the Canadian chain’s big splash into the Middle East. Tim Hortons is building on the success of its handful of units in the region by licensing Dubai-based Apparel Group to open up to 120 multi-format outlets. The restaurants will open in the United Arab…

Viking Range has promoted Eric Deng to general manager of the Viking Commercial division in Fullerton, Calif. Deng joined Viking Commercial in 2007 as director of operations. Prior to that, he served as director of engineering at Jade Range and was previously v.p. of engineering at DCS.

Webb Design has expanded from its Tustin, Calif., base, and has opened a new, full-service sales and design office in Las Vegas. Webb Design Las Vegas will be led by Kelley Lalumia, a veteran of more than two decades in the foodservice design industry. Jim Webb, principal of Webb Design, said, “The addition of this…

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. Alameda, Chatsworth, Livermore, Sacramento, San Jose, San Pablo and Vallejo will each boast a new Straw…

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 30-year industry resume to the Denny’s team, including 17 years in numerous management posts at Brinker Int’l. He…

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 INTERNORGA in Hamburg, Germany. The 85th annual  International Fair for the Hotel, Restaurant,…