We’ve known for a long time that the foodservice market in the Europe is significantly smaller than in the United States. New research from Peter Backman, principal at Horizons, the London-based research firm, details just how much smaller.Backman toted up the populations and foodservice markets of the U.S. and the five largest sub-markets of the…
With crude-oil prices continuing to weaken, Thailand’s largest energy firm is diversifying and diving into the American QSR business. PTT Plc. has signed a franchise deal with U.S.-based Texas Chicken. PTT plans to invest 1.5 billion baht (US$44.2 million) to open at least 70 Texas Chicken branches over the next five years. The first restaurant…
In May, in one of the largest-ever acquisitions in the UAE of a home-grown foodservice brand, Dubai-based Marka Holding bought restaurant chain Reem Al Bawadi for approximately AED315 million (US$86 million). Marka, which focuses on the retail and hospitality sector in the UAE, plans an ambitious expansion program across the Gulf Cooperation Council for the…
Last month, South Africa’s biggest franchise group, Famous Brands, acquired a controlling interest in Retail Group, its licensee in Botswana. Established in 2000, Retail Group comprises 19 company-owned restaurants and manages nine franchised restaurants across Botswana. Its portfolio includes Wimpy, Debonairs Pizza, Mugg & Bean, Milky Lane and Steers outlets. A consortium of investors currently…
Alto-Shaam has made changes to its global leadership team, promoting Mark Kreple, Senior V.P.-International Sales, to a consulting role at the Wisconsin firm after 11 years leading the development and management of Alto-Shaam’s international business; he oversaw a near tripling of global sales volume and the restructuring of business in Canada, as well as the…
The Middleby Corp. has expanded globally again, acquiring the assets of Induc Commercial Electronics, a Qingdoa, China, manufacturer of commercial induction-cooking equipment. Induc, an established brand in China with a growing presence in other Asian countries, has annual revenues of approximately US$10 million. Middleby Chairman/CEO Selim Bassoul cited Induc’s broad line of induction products, marketed under…
C-Tech Innovation’s new RF Tabletop Defroster is poised to change the way operators manage stock and thaw products, reducing waste and increasing revenue. Currently, the catering industry uses expensive, bulky and slow cold water or wet air defrosters to thaw meat and other high-value ingredients for use. This unique product changes everything: It uses radio-frequency…
Santos has launched a new version of its Brushless Blender. Model 62 keeps a juice bar, coffee house, hotel or QSR kitchen quiet with its new soundproof hood and vibration-proof jar mat. Most notable is its unique new brushless motor, boasting long life expectancy and top energy efficiency. Outfitted with a touchscreen control panel, the…
Liebherr is focused on two new pieces of refrigerating and freezing equipment, the BKv 5040 and BG 5040. These products, designed especially for use in bakeries, are distinguished by high-quality refrigeration components, user-friendly design, hard-wearing finishes, energy efficiency and low operating costs. The company’s cold merchandisers are equipped with glass doors and are illuminated inside…
It makes sense that the most populous country in the world also is host to the largest hospitality supplies fair in the world. HOSFAIR, the 13th China (Guangdong) Int’l. Hospitality Supplies Fair, will be held Sept. 10-12 in the city’s China Import & Export Fair Complex. Visitors to HOSFAIR Guangdong 2015 can explore exhibits and attend…