Check out the latest water filtration products featured in our February 2011 issue.

What’s in your water can cost your business both in terms of lost customers and damaged equipment. The right filtration system in the right place can save both.

McDonald’s is laying out some big plans for China and Korea to compete with chains both American and homegrown. In China, McDonald’s plans to raise capital spending by 40% over 2010 levels. It will build as many as 200 new stores across the country, more than in any previous year, and swap out the old…

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group is planning to focus on its burger business. The nation’s third-largest quick-service restaurant company said last week it was exploring strategic alternatives for the 3,700-unit Arby’s chain. A sale was not ruled out. The company added a few details at its Jan. 27 investors’ conference, stating that selling the Arby’s chain would help…

The Cheesecake Factory is making its first international foray, inking an exclusive licensing agreement with the Kuwait-based Alshaya group of companies to build and operate restaurants in the Middle East. The agreement covers the development of 22 restaurants over the next five years in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It includes provisions…

Gordon F. Oates Sr., an industry leader and a 38-year veteran of Vulcan-Hart Corp., died Jan. 16. He was 86. Oates’ career in the foodservice equipment industry was dedicated to Vulcan-Hart. He joined the manufacturer in October 1955 as sales manager and served as its president from ’78 until his retirement in ’88. He remained…

Hooters of America will answer to a new parent. In a transaction ending nearly three decades of family ownership, a group of private investors has bought the Atlanta-based restaurant chain from the estate of Robert Brooks, who died in 2006. The transaction announced Jan. 24 gives a consortium of private investors headed by Chanticleer Holdings…

Tom Donovan has been promoted to the post of v.p.-sales for Unified Brands. Donovan will manage dealer, national chain, retail and international business for the manufacturer’s A la Cart, Avtec, Groen and Randell product lines. Donovan has been in the industry for 15 years, including the past five years managing Unified Brands’ national chain, retail…

Now celebrating its 125th anniversary, Cooper-Atkins Corp. has made some organizational changes 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 promoted to v.p.-sales East; he…

Vulcan will be expanding its product line with the Searmaster Charbroiler line. Vulcan’s parent, Illinois Tool Works Food Equipment Group North America, has acquired parts of the commercial business of Thermal Engineering Corp., and as part of the acquisition, Vulcan will own the exclusive rights to TEC’s patented infrared cooking technology and a license to…