Vanco, a 40-year-old provider of parts and repairs for commercial foodservice and refrigeration equipment, has been acquired by service industry veteran Gary Allen and his son, Jeremy. The Indianapolis-based company provides operators with complete facility maintenance; it recently added HVAC repair to its menu of refrigeration, cooking, and installation services. Allen spent 27 years as…

A note from the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association: Issues with a newly installed server have affected online registration for the association’s March convention. If you registered online for the FEDA 2011 Convention any time between Jan. 19 through now, the FEDA office may not have received your registration. The association is asking its members and…

Now celebrating its 125th anniversary, Cooper-Atkins Corp. announced several promotions as part of a companywide organizational change in sales and marketing. Bill Eggers has been appointed to the newly created position of v.p.-marketing and key accounts; he will maintain relations with marketing groups and strengthen brand development and new product development. Jeff Yeager has been…

Two North Carolina rep firms have partnered up. The owners of Griffin Marketing Group, Salisbury, N.C., and Jones-McCormick, Charlotte, N.C., are merging in a business alliance that they say boasts a combined 250 years of foodservice experience. The two firms share complementary management styles, synergistic line lists, and commitment to dealer, manufacturer and end-user relationships.…

One of the most fun things I get to do every couple years is go to The NAFEM Show. By the time you read this, I’ll be down in Orlando, hanging out with my friends. That includes you. Hope you make it. This past Sunday, Feb. 6, marked 33 years since I went to work…

The College of Culinary Arts at JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY, Providence, R.I., has named its new 12,000-sq.-ft. education facility the Cuisinart Center For Culinary Excellence. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Engineering-certified facility includes 30 educational labs and classrooms, including dedicated hot and cold kitchens, labs for chocolate and pastry prep, meat-cutting and fabrication labs,…

CINNABON INC., one of Focus Brands’ five concepts, has named Kat Cole its new president. Cole previously served as v.p.-training and development for Hooters of America. She takes over from Gary Bales, who will serve as president of sister concept Carvel. Atlanta-based Cinnabon operates more than 770 locations worldwide.

PAPA JOHN’S INT’L., Louisville, Ky., has promoted three in its head offices. Tony Thompson has been named executive v.p. in charge of North American operations—this in addition to his current position as president of Global PJ Food Service and R&D. Steve Ritchie has been promoted to senior v.p.-operations, overseeing domestic company-owned restaurant operations. And Tim…

KC Moylan, COO since 2007 of PEI WEI ASIAN DINER, has been named president of the 168-unit chain. The 25-year industry vet joined Pei Wei in 2001 from Champps Americana, where he served as president and CEO. Pei Wei, owned by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, is based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mick Shaddock has stepped up as the new chair of the CATERING EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION, the London-based group representing more than 140 companies that supply, service and maintain foodservice equipment in the U.K. Shaddock is the managing director of Victor Mfg. Nick Orvino, managing director of the Carford Group, is the new vice-chair of CESA;…