After kicking off the year opening store number 21, Burger 21 has six franchise agreements signed for six future restaurants, including its first locations in Pennsylvania, Texas and Arkansas; more than 20 franchised units are in development in 11 states. The five-year-old chain will debut a hybrid, free-standing restaurant as one of the first steps…

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If you missed it last week in FER Fortnightly, the number of restaurants in the U.S. fell for the second year in a row. We published data from The NPD Group’s biannual ReCount restaurant census. From Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2015, the number of units declined 0.6% to 629,488, a loss of 3,919…

Is it survival of the fittest? With the E&S industry facing increased pressures from digital models and other non-traditional competitors, FEDA is providing its members advice on how to adapt or be left behind. Attendees at FEDA’s 2016 Convention, March 30-April 3, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., will…

Growing your business means growing the space in which to do business. Strong sales and expanding market share led one of the country’s largest dealers, Bargreen Ellingson, to spend February getting situated in new spaces in Hawaii and in Washington State. The dealer celebrated the opening of a new, larger location in Maui, with a…

Bar Boy Products, recently honored as the MAFSI’s 2015 Dealer of the Year, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since Edward “Harry” DeFelice founded the dealership in 1966, the Farmingdale, N.Y., firm has grown into a major presence in the New York metro area. Today, Bar Boy does well over $16 million in E&S…

Nor-Lake Inc. has hired PJ Loy as its South Central Regional Sales Manager. Loy will lead sales efforts and manufacturer’s rep groups in the region to develop sales opportunities, support efficient order fulfillment, and assure customer satisfaction with the Hudson, Wis., company’s products and services. Loy brings more than two decades’ experience in the industry…

PB & J Commercial Agents opened its new Culinary Center & Test Kitchen in Hillside, Ill., at the end of February. The facility, done in partnership with Midwest Imports, enables customer groups the opportunity for live demonstrations or sales training. “This will be the most centrally located rep kitchen in this market, less than 20…

Manitowoc Foodservice made its official debut March 4 as an independent, publicly traded company following its previously announced spinoff from The Manitowoc Co. Hubertus Muehlhaeuser, President and CEO of Manitowoc Foodservice, rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to mark the occasion. He and the company’s executive leadership team were joined by…