And some chains are still busy taking the plunge across our northern border. Buffalo Wild Wings has announced plans for more than 50 company-owned and franchised stores across Canada. The five-year expansion plan will kick off in the spring with two restaurants near Toronto. They will be the chain’s first stores outside the United States.Buffalo…

The King and the Colonel are back–the U.S. military has lifted a seven-month ban on fast-food restaurants and retail stores at American bases in Afghanistan. Fast-food outlets, including Burger Kings and KFCs, were ordered closed in February by former U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the military was boosting its troop strength in Afghanistan. The…

The Commercial Food Equipment Service Association will gather in Savannah, Ga., next month for its fall meeting. The meeting, Oct. 18-20, at the Westin Savannah Harbor, will include a full slate of board and committee meetings and educational workshops. Among the topics are healthcare reform; water quality, manufacturer requirements and their impact on equipment; tools…

Howard Veldhorst, a 36-year veteran of The Vollrath Co., has died. He was 74. Veldhorst was v.p.-national sales accounts at the Sheboygan, Wis., manufacturer; he retired in 1998. Known for his encouragement to friends, family and colleagues, he often said, "Look for the good and then praise it." Veldhorst is survived by his wife of…

The news was all over the papers last week: Burger King was for sale. Once the smoke cleared, it was announced that the world’s No. 2 burger chain had agreed to be purchased by private-equity firm 3G Capital for about $4 billion. At the time of the announcement, Burger King’s market value was estimated at…

ITW has appointed Chris O’Herlihy president-Food Equipment Group Worldwide, a post which includes responsibility for all Food Equipment Group operations globally.  "We are consolidating leadership responsibility for the Food Equipment Groupon a worldwide basis to position the organization to fully leverage itstechnical, operational and organizational capabilities globally in order totake full advantage of the Group’s…

Globe Food Equipment Co. has acquired Commercial Pro International’s line of countertop cooking equipment. The line acquired by Globe includes an electric soup kettle; conveyor toaster; rice cooker; food warming lamp; electric fryers and griddles; sandwich, panini and roller grills; and an induction range. CPI is headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn. The CPI products are available…

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has taken its first steps into franchising. In a freshly inked deal, the Chicago-based restaurant chain will celebrate the opening of the first franchised Potbelly before the end of the year in El Paso, Texas. The shop will join more than 30 other Potbelly locations in the Lone Star state. The closely…

“Compliments to the chef” is a thought more often shared with those gathered around the dinner table than passed onto chefs and operators. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation wants restaurateurs and chefs to get the recognition they deserve, and honors outstanding leaders in the hospitality, restaurant and foodservice industry each year through several awards.…

Southern Stainless Equipment Co., a manufacturer of walk-in freezers and stainless steel kitchen equipment, has completed its purchase of former competitor W.A. Brown & Son in Salisbury, N.C. The Waynesboro, Va., manufacturer bought half of the company earlier this year and acquired the rest about a week ago. Southern Stainless Pres. Larry Rouse told The…