It isn’t just the cheese that stands alone. The pizza industry says it deserves an exemption to the menu-labeling regulations issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Affordable Care Act. And the pizza chains, supported by a few other industry groups, now have a bill on Capitol Hill.The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure…

The food-truck business is not big in Toronto, but it could be a matter of measurement. Last week, the city council voted 43-1 to reduce the distance that food trucks must stay away from restaurants, from 50 m. (about 55 yd.) to 30 m. (about 33 yd.). The city says the change will open up…

The Association for Healthcare Foodservice will honor six operator members with awards on June 5 during its 2015 Annual Conference in Salt Lake City. Deedra Hoffart, Director-Nutrition at Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, Colo., is the recipient of AHF’s 2015 Partnership in Leadership Award, which honors her strong commitment to eliminating food-prep outsourcing. AHF’s Exemplary…

Cicely Simpson, who has served as v.p.-government affairs for Dunkin’ Brands Group for the past seven years, has joined the National Restaurant Association as Executive V.P.-Government Affairs & Policy. At the NRA, Simpson will lead a team advocating for restaurants nationwide as well as the association’s communications and research teams, shaping effective messaging and providing…

After recording more than four years of rising same-store sales, Arby’s Restaurant Group is scratching the itch to grow. The Atlanta-based quick-service chain hasn’t focused on new-store expansion since 2008, but this year it is on pace to add 60 units. Arby’s goal of passing $4 billion in total systemwide sales by the end of…

Growth, liquidity, investment. Major topics that might seem a tad distant for operators busy in the kitchen will be canvassed in depth by the foodservice industry’s finance leaders during the National Restaurant Association’s 2015 Restaurant Finance Summit. The May 18 event will show operators how to execute growth strategies for their businesses. “Attendees will have…

Monday is the deadline for entries in this year’s Foodservice Pioneering Concept competition. Entries are due June 15 for the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show’s cutting-edge concept design contest; the winner will be spotlighted at the Nov. 8-10 show in New York. Organizers of the Foodservice Pioneering Concept competition are looking for designers to conceive,…

In its largest development deal to date, the 1950s-themed burger chain has signed a joint-venture agreement to open 100 restaurants in China over the next decade. The focus will be on opening Johnny Rockets in malls and retail centers in Shanghai and Beijing; the first unit is expected to open in 2016. Its Asian footprint already…

Last week, Dallas-based Wingstop Inc. became the fourth restaurant chain to file a public offering in 2015. The chain’s IPO could raise $86 million or more. Wingstop, principally owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Partners, joins New York-based Shake Shack; Charlotte, N.C.-based Bojangles Inc.; and Dallas-based Fogo de Chao in filing for IPOs this year. Wingstop’s…

Panera Bread Co. has named Drew Madsen as President and Ken Koziol as Executive V.P. Madsen will oversee Panera’s core business and report directly to Ron Shaich, Chairman and CEO; Shaich plans to concentrate on broader strategy and growth initiatives for the St. Louis-based chain. Madsen previously spent nine years as president and COO of…