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;…

David Mouck has been promoted to president/general manager of ROBOT COUPE U.S.A. Mouck has served with the Jackson, Miss., company for almost five years, beginning as sales/marketing manager and most recently serving as v.p.-sales/marketing. Robot Coupe specializes in commercial food processors, vegetable-prep machines, vertical cutter-mixers, juicers and extractors.

The NAFEM Show 2011 in Orlando, Fla., is just around the corner, but coming up soon after that trip will be at least two major international foodservice equipment shows: InterNorga in Hamburg, and Hotelex in Shanghai. By the end of March, many in the industry will be seeking the warm climes, familiar faces and educational…

Bob Sloan, CDM, CFPP, slated to take the reins of the Dietary Managers Association, has died. Sloan was the chair-elect of the DMA’s national board of directors. Sloan, a consultant for Carolina Nutrition Consultants in Lexington, S.C., served the DMA and the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers for many years. He sat on numerous chapter…