The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management has announced the six winners of its Directors Awards, which recognize those individuals who go above and beyond in serving the association and the industry.Marcia Austero, senior v.p./senior supplier manager with Bank of America, receives SHFM’s Community Service Award, recognizing an individual who supports the corporate foodservice and…

Chicago-based Forever Brands has acquired a 50% stake in the Mediterranean restaurant chain Falafill and intends to grow the franchise by at least 10 locations in 2015, mostly in the Chicago area and the Midwest. Forever Brands, which owns the 30-unit Forever Yogurt chain, will take a 50% equity stake in Falafill in exchange for…

Middleby Corp. is adding another brand of high-end residential kitchen equipment by entering into a definitive agreement to acquire U-Line Corp., a maker of built-in modular ice machines, refrigerators, freezers and wine-preservation equipment. Founded in 1962, U-Line is based in Milwaukee, where it will remain headquartered. The company has annual revenues of approximately $60 million.…

Vincent J. Guarriello, one of the true legends of the foodservice equipment industry and who was pivotal in its postwar development, passed away Oct.16 in Red Bank, N.J. He was 93. Guarriello had a long tenure in the E&S industry and was mentor to many corporate and sales executives working today. He served many years…

Candle Lamp Co., the parent of SternoCandleLamp, was acquired Oct. 10 for $163 million by Westport, Conn.-based Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI). The century-old company, headquartered in Corona, Calif., makes and markets portable food- warming fuel and table lighting products, including wick- and gel-chafing fuels, butane stoves and accessories, liquid and traditional wax candles, catering equipment,…

LYFE Kitchen, the chain with an acronym for its name (Love Your Food Everyday), has made Santa Clarita, Calif., home to its 11th location. As at its other stores, every dish on the menu is fewer than 600 calories and features only locally sourced ingredients. Also in line with the Irvine, Calif., company’s policy, the…

In August,

The burger and chicken chain is signing deals and looking to regain its footing in the Mid-Atlantic region’s quick-service market. A franchise deal with a multibrand operator will lead to four Roy Rogers Restaurant units across Bergen and Essex counties in northern New Jersey; the first store will open in 2016. The chain also has…

Tim Gaskill, former v.p.-sales and marketing at Star Mfg., died in August at age 56. He had retired from Star in 2009 after a 20-year career there. Gaskill joined the St. Louis manufacturer in 1989 as the eastern regional sales manager. In 1996, he became director of sales before succeeding Frank Ricchio three years later…

The competition in the breakfast market, the hottest segment in foodservice, continues to percolate. Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, whose bagel empire includes Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah’s New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel, announced Sept. 29 that it will be sold to JAB Holding Co. for about $374 million. JAB, a German conglomerate formerly called Joh.…