Sales trainer Sam Richter is slated as the speaker for FEDA’s Luncheon & Sales Training Box Lunch seminar during The NAFEM Show 2017. Richter, who specializes in sales intelligence and sales relationship intelligence, will share innovative ideas on how to find information on people, companies, and competitorsThe association will host the “Know More: Relationships” box…

Manufacturers’ representatives surveyed by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry remain optimistic about their sales in 2017. MAFSI released its annual market forecast last week. The reps forecast sales growth for like lines will increase 4.4% next year, very much in line with the current forecast of 4.5% growth this year. In comparison,…

The volatility seen in recent months in the

American consumers seem to get that the current economy is about as good as it’s going to get, according the latest research from the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers and The Conference Board. Both groups’ readings of consumer confidence softened in October. UM’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 87.2 in the final October reading,…

A new study of the global restaurant industry from New York-based consulting firm AlixPartners finds myriad opportunities and on-going challenges as consumers become increasingly discerning and demanding. The study, “Global Restaurant Outlook: Feeding the Global Consumer,” surveyed 4,600 consumers in nine industrialized markets as well as 60 executives at more than 40 leading global restaurant…

Chipotle Mexican Grill has axed the ShopHouse and flipped over to burgers. The Denver chain cut the ribbon on Tasty Made, its new burger concept, in Lancaster, Ohio, on October 27. The burgers, fries and shakes concept merges the cooking ideas behind “better burger” chains with the model of pioneering QSRs. Tasty Made executives say…

A new webinar from PG&E’s Food Service Technology Center, is focusing on Learning to See: Lighting Design for CFS. The program, 10-11 a.m. PST/1-2 p.m. EST, Thursday November 17, takes participants “beyond the bulb” in thinking about commercial foodservice lighting. It will be led by the FSTC’s resident lighting expert Richard Young, director-education/senior engineer at…

Midea, the Chinese maker of microwaves, has added industry veteran Gino Iacovella to its executive team in the United States. Iacovella, who has more than 30 years’ experience working for Panasonic, Sharp and Presto, will take on the post of Director of Business Development for Midea’s Commercial Appliance Division, where he’ll focus on launching the…

Sports bar chain Buffalo Wild Wings is betting big on the fast-casual dining segment. The Minneapolis-based company is hoping to expand its street-style taco concept R Taco, formerly Rusty Taco, through franchising to at least 10 new markets, including Nashville. Buffalo Wild Wings became a majority investor in the taco concept in 2014, the same year…

Quaker Steak & Lube is revving up its franchise development efforts and is hoping to expand in states including Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Quaker Steak & Lube, founded more than 40 years ago, has more than 50 locations in 14 states. The Westlake, Ohio, chain was acquired…