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…

Anticipating that the economic fundamentals that drive foodservice sales will remain positive, Technomic Inc., the Chicago-based foodservice research firm, forecasts that total industry sales in the U.S. will grow 4.9% in current dollars and 2.3% after menu price inflation of 2.7% is factored out in 2017. The firm released its revised forecast for 2016 and…

Made in Italy, Alfa Pro’s Achille wood-fired oven uses a multi-flame system to grill, roast, stew, braise and bake menu items. Forninox, a stainless interior chamber which heats up faster than refractory materials, reduces fuel consumption by 70%. Easy to set up, this model has a 3-pizza capacity and bakes 45 pizzas per hour.