List-price increases for foodservice equipment and supplies were surprisingly moderate during the past nine months, even though materials prices have soared during the period. According to data from AutoQuotes Inc., the average price increase was 2.2% for all 358,262 products from 411 manufacturers in the company’s database. The analysis covers the period July 1, 2010…
Maybe the two surprises are related. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said last Friday, May 6, that non-farm payroll jobs increased by 244,000 in April, surprising most forecasters, who expected growth in the 175,000-200,000 range. We noted that we were surprised by an increase in the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index in March,…
When Deirdre Flynn from NAFEM called me a week ago Monday to tell me that Mike Carpenter had suddenly passed away, I was so flabbergasted, all I could say was, “What? What? That really, really sucks!” Not the most elegant of responses, but a deeply heartfelt one. Judging from all the e-mails and phone calls…
Quaker Steak & Lube’s challenge: significantly reduce the footprint, drop $1 million from overall build costs—and keep the restaurant revenues the same.
Member-supplier meetings and relationship building were key components of Supply & Equipment Foodservice Alliance’s 25th Annual Partnership Conference in Maui, Hawaii. April 11-15. The buying group’s conference was highlighted by SEFA’s annual awards banquet, which saw 31 members and suppliers honored for their excellence in the industry and in SEFA in 2010. Member of the…
Mike Carpenter, a former NAFEM president and a name and face recognized by hundreds in the foodservice equipment and supplies business, passed away suddenly April 23 in Utah. He was 58. Carpenter had been chief marketing officer for Cooper-Atkins Corp. for the past two years. His long resume in the E&S industry spans posts at…
With blazing cook times and a consistent bake, conveyor ovens have made the starting lineup in many kitchens. Now they’re faster and more energy-efficient than ever.
On April 28, The Vollrath Co. announced it had acquired Traex Co. from Libbey Glass, a subsidiary of Libbey Inc. In its first-quarter earnings report, Toledo, Ohio-based Libbey said that it expects to receive net proceeds of more than $13 million from the sale. Both companies are headquartered in Wisconsin: Vollrath is based in Sheboygan;…
Average list-price increases for equipment and supplies remained moderate over the past nine months, according to new data from AutoQuotes Inc., even though materials prices have soared during the period. The average price increase was a moderate 2.2% for all 358,262 products from 411 manufacturers in the company’s database. The analysis covers the period July…