The first detailed forecasts for the direction of the U.S. economy from the newsletter Blue Chip Economic Indicators predict a continuation though slowing of the recent pattern of lower unemployment and moderate growth through 2017. The newsletter, which averages forecasts from 50 diverse economic forecasting groups, was published in early January, before the sudden drop…

Chefs’ Toys, the Fountain Valley, Calif., equipment and supplies dealer, has acquired the restaurant kitchen design firm, Michael Blackman & Associates. MBA has been in operation for more than 30 years as a restaurant kitchen designer in Southern California and nationally. Its client lists ranges from Spago to Fuddruckers to Umami Burger. Its team of…

Alto-Shaam hosted the grand opening of its Dubai office last month. The Menomonee Falls, Wis., manufacturer’s Middle East & Africa office, officially opened December 16, is to provide additional support to its business in region, by showcasing its equipment and systems and offering culinary and service training seminars to local chefs. “Alto-Shaam’s vision is to…

Starbucks is adding an extra splash of espresso to its international expansion plans. The chain, which just hit the 2,000-unit milestone in China, has announced plans to operate 3,400 stores there by 2019. Since debuting in China 17 years ago, the country has become the Seattle chain’s second largest and fastest-growing international market. According to…

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts wants to be more than just the baked goods. A new test outlet near its Winston-Salem, N.C., headquarters sports a revamped layout that puts coffee front and center with barista service and extra seating to encourage customers to buy a cup or two and stay a while. The chain also plans to…

Twelve foodservice notables were honored last week by their peers at MAFSI’s Business Development Conference in Phoenix. The Atlanta-based rep association gave out its biennial awards in six categories to individuals and companies who have demonstrated leadership and exemplary performance within the industry and to MAFSI. Nine MAFSI members, one MAFSI chapter, and two non-members…

Dirty dishes and the subject of weight charges for the machines that clean them never seem to go away. Our friend, Tim Walsh, vice president at ReTrans Freight, tipped us off that dishwashers are back on the docket for class change consideration at next week’s Commodity Classification Standards Board. The public meeting will consider proposals…

After years of reporting the chain’s soaring sales, the headlines about

Champion Industries has appointed Erik Nommsen as president of the Champion Group, which includes the Champion, Moyer Diebel and Bi-Line brands. Nommsen, whose appointment was announced January 14, will formally join the Winston-Salem, N.C., warewasher manufacturer on January 18. The appointment marks Nommsen’s second tenure as president of the Champion Group. He previously served in…

Given continuing favorable macroeconomic trends and near-record operator capital-spending activity in the latter part of 2015, Foodservice Equipment Reports has held to its 2016 forecast for current-dollar growth of the foodservice equipment and supplies market in the U.S. and Canada at 4.6%. Factoring out anticipated price increases by manufacturers, the magazine predicts real growth of…