Next month’s FEDA webinar examines the effect the Internet has had on the selling process and how it has changed the way customers buy products, select suppliers, build relationships and view salespeople.The program takes a look at how sales organizations should approach the new age of sales with “Selling Has Nothing To Do with Selling;…

Speakers ranging from boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard to management expert and author Tom Peters are among the highlights recently announced for FEDA members in early December. Serving as Convention Chair is Jay Ringelheim of Globe Equipment Co.; Paul Parr of Hockenbergs is Assistant Convention Chair.

Tom Campion, CEO of Franke Foodservice Systems, is assuming the presidency of Franke’s Foodservice Solutions. Campion will take on those duties in an interim role while the Smyrna, Tenn.-based company conducts an executive search for a successor to Derrick Richardson, who has left the company after 14 years there in various roles.

Hesburger, Finland’s largest QSR chain continues to expand. The family-owned hamburger chain, which has more than 400 restaurants in nine countries, opened 29 new units in 2014, including eight in Finland and 21 abroad. Hesburger’s store count includes 280 in its home country and more than 100 in the Baltic States, 17 in Russia, three…

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has extended his restaurant footprint to a dozen countries. After opening 63 restaurants in 11 countries, including England, Ireland, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, Singapore, and Dubai, Oliver has taken his two Italian concepts to India. This fall, Delhi will see the debut of the high-end Jamie’s Italian, which has 30…

The expansion pot bubbles over for a top fondue chain. The Melting Pot Restaurants, which just opened its third restaurant in Mexico City, is now looking to expand across Mexico with at least five additional locations there. The Tampa, Florida, chain is targeting cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Monterrey, Cancun and Los Cabos…

Smashburger, the fast-growing fast-casual American chain, announced last week that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell 40% of the company to Jollibee Foods, Asia’s largest restaurant company. The purchase price values the “better burger” chain at a US$335 million enterprise value. Launched in 2007, Smashburger has more than 335 units in 35 states,…

In a deal that would make it the second largest QSR chain in France, Burger King France’s majority shareholder Groupe Bertrand has started exclusive negotiations to buy Belgian burger chain Quick. No financial terms were given for the deal announced last month by Groupe Bertrand and Qualium Investissement, which owns 94% of Quick. Burger King…

Four major companies in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry announced noteworthy mergers and acquisitions in the past month: ·Ali Group, parent company of 76 global foodservice equipment brands, announced September 17 that it has closed on its agreement to acquire InterMetro Industries and its subsidiaries, including Metro, from Emerson. InterMetro has been manufacturing storage,…

Innovative, cutting-edge equipment introduced to the global marketplace in the past 24 months can garner more than customer raves and strong sales: It can get recognition from the U.S.-based National Restaurant Association’s 2016 Kitchen Innovations Awards program. The 12th annual KI Awards, accepting applications through December 4, recognize and celebrate meaningful advancements in foodservice equipment and technology.…