A new on-demand video series has been launched to aid foodservice professionals on the never-ending and always-evolving issue of energy efficiency. The series, “Operating an Energy-Efficient Restaurant,” is presented by Richard Young of the Food Service Technology Center.The Energy Center of Wisconsin, which has offices in Madison, has put together the six-part series, now available…

Standex International Corp. has acquired Ultrafryer Systems, a San Antonio-based maker of deep fryers for restaurant and commercial installations. “This acquisition is a big step in moving Standex into the foodservice chain fryer segment and complements many of FSEG’s current fryer product offerings within the grocery retail segment,” said John Abbott, group v.p.-Food Service Equipment…

Diversified Foodservice Supply has acquired Restaurant Parts & More, a Springboro, Ohio-based distributor of foodservice parts, supplies and accessories to foodservice chains and franchisees. RPM joins companies including AllPoints Foodservice Parts and Supplies, Franklin Machine Products, Tundra Restaurant Supply and Mill Hardware in the portfolio of Mount Prospect, Ill.-based DFSI. Rick Jones and Robbin Krauser,…

In its second acquisition in six months, Food Management Partners announced this week that it has purchased the 25-unit Furr’s Fresh Buffet chain and its Dynamic Foods foodservice distribution company in a bankruptcy court transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In January, the privately held company acquired the 35-unit Don Pablo’s Tex-Mex casual-dining…

Arby’s Restaurant Group’s new deli-inspired look, now being rolled out in conjunction with the chain’s 50th anniversary, is boosting revamped store sales by an average of 20%. The chain calls its systemwide remodeling program a “holistic, turnkey revitalization initiative.” Arby’s CEO Paul Brown said the remodeling program undergirds a new positioning and branding campaign that…

KFC plans to modernize its stores across China. The company, the largest American restaurant chain in China, plans to differentiate itself from other chains by creating the ambiance of a social hangout for its customers while also making it suitable for business meetings. The revamp, intended to attract the growing number of customers in China…

Middleby Corp. has appointed Tarek Sarkis as regional v.p.-Middleby Worldwide. Sarkis will be responsible for the sales and marketing of all Middleby brand commercial cooking and beverage equipment, along with Viking residential appliances, in Russia, the Baltic States, Eastern Europe and parts of Central Europe. He has been with Middleby since 2005 and relocated to…

Jeff Herren has joined Blodgett Ovens as v.p.-regional sales. Based in central California, he will be responsible for leading sales initiatives and regional strategy on the West Coast. Blodgett, headquartered in Burlington, Vt., is a division of Middleby Corp. “Jeff has over 35 years of excellent industry experience that will be a tremendous asset to…

Longtime MAFSI Member Larry Jaeck, of Kirkland, Wash.-based Pro-Pacific Agents, died June 5 while on a business trip to the Midwest. He was 64. Jaeck spent his entire career in the foodservice equipment industry, beginning with Miracle Maid Cookware, then moving on to the Lang Co. and Bill Miles Co. In 1996, he became a…

Duke Mfg. announced June 11 that it would purchase CounterCraft, a Houston-based, privately owned custom serving and counter design manufacturer. The firm, founded in 2005, will continue operating in Houston as a de-centralized company under Pres. Lloyd Hartsfield. St. Louis-based Duke has had a successful three-year joint-venture operation with CounterCraft, according to Duke Pres. Dave…