Strong gains by Rational Americas, Manitowoc Foodservice and Middleby Corp. pushed blended sales of the public equipment and supplies companies into positive territory in the second quarter this year, with combined revenues up 0.7%. It was the first time the companies managed growth since third-quarter 2008. The gain follows a revised 4.3% decline in the…

Dipo Induction, a Korean maker of induction cooking and warming equipment, has established North American operations in Troy, Ohio. “We believe that there are great growth opportunities for induction products in this industry as our country tries to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels,” said Kurt Wacker, president of the new entity, Dipo Induction USA…

With its corporate parent riding high after a strong third quarter, Yum! Restaurants India has announced plans to more than triple the number of eateries it operates across India to 1,000 by 2015. Niren Chaudhary, managing director for the division, announced the $100 million rollout to reporters at the India Economic Summit earlier this month.…

An Italian manufacturer’s unique heated food processor won the top award at the 95th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show on Nov. 14 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Judges reviewed nearly 100 submissions of new, cutting-edge products within the categories of E&S, design, guest amenities, linens and technology, as well…

TableCraft Products Co. has announced that on Jan.1, 2011, David Burnside will assume the presidency of the 64-year-old firm. The promotion was announced by current president and company owner Glenn Davis, who will move into the role of CEO and chairman of the board. Davis joined TableCraft in 1974, and became president in ’97. He…

Asian markets are spurring much of U.S. chain growth and in 2011 and beyond, count on Asian concepts to contend for the title “next big thing” here at home. Chipotle Mexican Grill garnered a lot of press earlier this month when the chain said it was exploring an Asian restaurant concept modeled on its “food…

What do you get when you put together a roomful of senior-level collegiate foodservice directors and key decision makers and give industry members time for one-on-one conversations? You get a whole lot of valuable discussion and passing of knowledge, according the National Association of College & University Food Services. Jumping off from the success of…

Scotsman Ice Systems has just announced the appointment of Denis Griesmer as v.p. of sales and marketing. Until this promotion, Griesmer had been serving as director of sales at Ice-O-Matic. The two-decade industry veteran assumes his new post at Scotsman this week. In a statement released with the announcement, Mark McClanahan, president of Scotsman, said: “Having…

The worldwide sales team at Bunn is getting bigger. Neal Robinson, senior v.p.-international sales for Bunn’s commercial division, has been named senior v.p.-global projects. In this role, Robinson will work with the Bunn sales team in planning and executing projects with the company’s national and global customers. In addition, Brian Wisniewski has joined the Springfield,…

Dan Schneider is in a new sales post at Wilbur Curtis Co., which recently named him as v.p.-national accounts. The announcement was made by Kevin Curtis, v.p.-sales and marketing, who said, “Dan’s vast industry experience with Curtis makes him a great fit for this position. As our former northern region vice president, Dan made a…