Telepizza, the Madrid-based restaurant chain, announced its expansion plans for the UK, aiming to open over 80 franchises within the next 10 years. The 29-year-old Spanish chain is collaborating with Karali Ventures as its first key master franchisee there; the firm plans to open 80 stores.Telepizza, perhaps the largest non-U.S.-based pizza delivery company in the…

Jollibee Foods Corp. will roll out 200 new stores in the Philippines this year, about 20% fewer than the 249 restaurants in opened in 2015. But Asia’s largest foodservice company says it also plans to build three new commissary facilities in Luzon, expand the capacity of its biggest commissary in Laguna, and set up two…

South Africa’s Famous Brands Ltd. is planning further expansion in the United Kingdom for its Debonairs Pizza and Steers quick-service chains. The company is seeking increased revenue from currencies other than the South African rand, and reviewing its licensing agreement in the Middle East as growth in the region has slowed. The South African rand…

Arby’s is planning 25 locations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over the next seven years, marking its first international expansion since 2010. The new restaurants will sell chicken items and substitute pork bacon with beef bacon. The sandwich chain’s first Kuwait unit will open this year. About 96% of Arby’s 3,322 restaurants are in the…

Angelo Po, the Italian foodservice/catering equipment maker, was acquired in June by Marmon Italia, Parent company Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway company, purchased 100% of the Italian company from owners Rossella Po, Alessandro Po, and Livio Gialdini. The acquisition creates technological, production and commercial synergies for both companies. The 94-year-old, Modena-based Angelo Po manufactures a…

It was a sweet takeover for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts when JAB Holding Co., the German conglomerate and owner of bagel, coffee and tea brands announced in May that its JAB Beech subsidiary is purchasing the 1,121-unit chain for US$1.35 billion. In the past few years, JAB has grown its stake in American chains by acquiring Einstein…

In a transaction estimated at US$300 million, Canada’s MTY Food Group has acquired Kahala Brands, the Arizona parent of Cold Stone Creamery and 17 other brands, including Blimpie, Pinkberry, Samurai Sam’s and Taco Time. Kahala franchises and operates more than 3,000 stores in 34 countries. MTY Food Group, which operates more than 2,700 foodservice outlet and…

On July 5, Texas-based Sysco Corp. completed its US$3.1 billion acquisition of the London-based foodservice distributor, Brakes Group. Combined, the companies’ annualized sales are pegged at US$55 billion. Brakes Group CEO Ken McMeikan will continue serving in his position. Sysco expected the acquisition to be finalized sometime in July after receiving the go-ahead from the European Commission, which on June…

Eathos, a Dubai-based regional restaurant operator, has acquired the four-unit UAE sushi chain, SushiArt. It is the first acquisition for Eathos, which franchises Kababji Grill, Tortilla Mexican Grill and Rita’s Ice stores. SushiArt co-founder Cedric Cerf will manage the transition period, while Eathos takes over the operational management and plans the concept’s expansion in the…

With the turmoil of the June 23 referendum in the United Kingdom to pull out of the European Union playing out worldwide, FER Worldwide asked Peter Backman, principal at London-based foodservice research firm Horizons FS Ltd., for his views on the potential impact on foodservice in the UK. The key word is “uncertainty.” Horizons issued…