BD’s Mongolian Grill wants a bigger share of the fast-growing Asian segment. In February, the Minneapolis-based company acquired the nine-unit Chicago chain Flat Top Grill.Flat Top Grill was founded on Chicago’s north side in 1995 and serves create-your-own Asian fare. BD’s Mongolian Grill operates 11 locations in the U.S. and franchises 16; it also has…

The Tampa-based craft tavern continues to roll out new locations. It cut the ribbons on 22 new outlets last year, and now the 77-unit chain says it should have more than 100 locations opened by the close of 2016. World of Beer has a footprint in 20 states, and will debut in Minnesota, Massachusetts, Oklahoma,…

In an acquisition that merges the foodservice industry’s leaders in food safety certification, the National Restaurant Association has acquired the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. The NRA’s ServSafe program, which recently issued more than million ServSafe certifications, is the leader in food safety training; NRFSP, a U.S.-based certification body, focuses on providing certificates for…

We’ve been repeating for some time now that the big five drivers of foodservice in the general economy are employment trends, disposable income, consumer spending, consumer confidence, and gasoline prices. Since we’ve already touched on the outlook for the first three in this issue (all three are very positive), we might as well look at…

Chances of passage are slim, but legislation to change the Food and Drug Administration’s menu-labeling requirements made it through the House last week and now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. The Obama Administration opposes the measure. The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 (H.R. 2017) would allow a foodservice establishment…

No Happy Meal for Supermac’s. The 100-unit Irish QSR chain has lost its two-year trademark battle with McDonald’s to expand across Europe. The Galway-based chain had been fighting protests from the U.S. company over the use of “Mac” in the name of its restaurants outside of Ireland. In a split decision, the European Union’s Office…

The National Restaurant Association announced February 10 the recipients of its 2016 Kitchen Innovations Awards, honoring forward-thinking equipment and technologies that increase efficiencies and productivity for back-of-the-house operations and benefit restaurant operators. Each recipient and their product will be showcased in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at the 2016 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held…

Ali Group has promoted Jennifer Ward to the newly created position of Vice President-National Accounts for Ali Group North America. Starting April 1, Ward will oversee national accounts relationships on behalf of Ali Group North America and its operating companies, including Aladdin Temp-Rite, ACP/Amana, Belshaw/Adamatic, Beverage-Air, Burlodge North America, Carpigiani U.S.A., the Champion Group including…

Best Restaurant Equipment & Design, closely held since its founding in 1987, is now employee-owned. The three stockholders in the Columbus, Ohio, dealer—Jim Hanson, Mike Stasko and Gene Yosick—sold their employees 100% of the stock in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan; the sale was effective December 31. All employees (currently 70) will participate in the…

FEDA continues to gear up for its 2016 Annual Convention next month in Tucson. “Who Moved My Model? How to Deal with the Changing Landscape and its Impact on Your Company,” is slated to run March 30-April 3 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Meanwhile, the February 15 deadline for the association’s compensation and…