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MORETech-24, the Greenville, S.C., commercial foodservice equipment repair firm, has acquired Service Solutions Group, the foodservice equipment repair company owned by Franke Foodservice Systems. With this acquisition, Tech-24—formerly known as Commercial Foodservice Repair—becomes the industry’s largest independent service and repair company. Its nearly 500 service technicians and longstanding network of 600-plus service partners provide coast-to-coast…
MOREOn the heels of its first strong quarter in two years, McDonald’s said at its Nov. 10 investor conference in New York that it will accelerate cost cuts and boost sales of restaurants to franchisees. But CEO Steve Easterbrook put to rest speculation that the Oak Brook, Ill., chain would spin off its real-estate holdings…
MOREUnified Brands has elevated company veteran Alex Edwards to Director of Sales-Chain Accounts. In his new role, Edwards’ responsibilities will include overseeing the growth of the Conyers, Ga., company’s chain foodservice segment, while providing strategic leadership to the chain account management team. He will report to Tom Donovan, V.P.-Sales. Edwards has spent 20 years in…
MOREChampion Industries/Ali Group has tapped Brent Blanton as its new National Service Manager. Blanton will replace Gary Tuttle, who is retiring from the position at the end of 2015 after 44 years with the Winston-Salem, N.C., warewashing manufacturer. Blanton began his career in foodservice in 1995 as the managing partner and branch manager of Raleigh,…
MOREYork Capital Management has signed a definitive agreement to buy the parent company of Houlihan’s Restaurants, the Leawood, Kan.-based chain, from a subsidiary of Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison. Terms were not disclosed, but the transaction was expected to close in December. Restaurant veteran Michael Archer is investing along with York and will become the…
MORETravelCenters of America has purchased Quaker Steak & Lube’s restaurants and related assets for approximately $25 million. Founded in 1974 in Sharon, Pa., Quaker Steak & Lube has more than 50 locations across 16 states. TA operates 500 full- and quick-serve restaurants, principally located in 253 full-service travel centers and 184 c-stores in 43 states. In addition…
MORELast week’s announcement that Marriott Int’l. has bought Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has created the world’s largest hotel company. The $12.2 billion merger will see Marriott operate more than 5,500 hotels across 30 hotel brands; Starwood’s 11 brands include Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and W hotels. The deal was unanimously approved by the boards…
MORESales of equipment and supplies rose 5% in the third quarter 2015 compared with the third quarter ’14, according to reps reporting for the Manufacturer’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry Business Barometer. The strong gain comes on the heels of a 5.1% increase in the second quarter and a 4.7% uptick in the first…
MORESeven of the 11 foodservice markets tracked by the NPD Group’s CREST consumer research experienced traffic gains in the second quarter 2015 vs. the same quarter year prior. “Optimism, though cautious, abounds throughout the global foodservice market,” said Bob O’Brien, Senior V.P.-Global Foodservice at NPD. Snacks and morning meals drove the gains in most markets,…
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