Congratulations in order: The Association for Healthcare Foodservice announced the 2010 winners of the association’s awards at AHF’s annual conference in Austin, Texas.The Lifetime Achievement Award is AHF’s highest award and is given to the individuals who best exemplify the leadership and spirit of legacy organization founders Jacques Bloch and Angelo Gagliano. Seven additional awards–AHF…

In a deal approved recently by a federal bankruptcy court, Luby’s Inc. will acquire most of the assets of burger chain Fuddruckers Inc., its parent Magic Brands LLC and their affiliates for about $61 million in cash. The deal was expected to close by July 26. The 96-unit Houston-based cafeteria chain also will assume some…

NSF Int’l. has been given the green light from the California Energy Commission to conduct energy-efficiency testing and verify energy claims for commercial refrigerators and freezers in support of the Energy Star enhanced program. NSF already provides sanitation testing and certification for refrigerators and freezers. With this approval, the organization can now provide manufacturers a…

Yes, it’s time. After years of hosting our popular biennial Multiunit Foodservice Equipment Symposium for commercial chain operators, we’re launching a modified version next year for noncommercial operators across all segments. MUFES/NCO will be held June 13-15 at the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas. Much like the original MUFES, this noncommercial version will focus…

The National Restaurant Association has created a new alliance with one of the country’s largest healthcare companies to provide easier access to coverage and related products and services for its membership. In partnership with United Healthcare, the NRA is launching the Restaurant Health Care Alliance to provide restaurant owners and employees easier access to cost-effective,…

McDonald’s plans to open 100 more restaurants in South Africa and 120 in India over the next five years as the company seeks out further growth in emerging markets, according to recent interviews with two of the company’s top executives. Tim Fenton, president of the chain’s Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions, told Bloomberg News…

Vita-Mix Corp. has received the prestigious President’s E Award for Exports in recognition of the company’s achievements in U.S. export growth. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke presented the award to Vitamix President Jodi Berg May 13 during a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Berg also was with a lapel pin and a white pennant…

Piedmont Natural Gas, Charlotte, N.C.,  recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated and expanded John H. Maxheim Natural Gas Technology Center at 4301 Yancey Road in Charlotte last night. With 4,700 sq. ft. of meeting, demonstration and work space that accommodates up to 90 people, the facility features two commercial kitchens, large prep and…

Foodservice excellence in both Air Force and Marine Corps operations was honored in May during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. The third annual Joint Armed Services Breakfast, hosted by the NRA’s Educational Foundation, toasted the winners of the U.S. Air Force’s John L. Hennessy and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Major Gen. W.P.T. Hill…

Tomlinson Industries, based in Cleveland, has announced it has purchased the assets of Fusion Commercial LLC of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Fusion Commercial products include countertop pizza ovens, snack ovens and merchandisers, popcorn poppers and carts, and warmers, heat lamps, and buffet servers. “Fusion products fit well into Tomlinson’s range of commercial foodservice equipment and supply items,”…