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 2018…

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…

Foodservice Equipment Reports will hold its annual President’s Preview E&S Market Forecast meeting July 28 at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. The daylong overview of trends and data, including FER‘s annual hard-number forecasts of E&S market growth, costs $995 for attendees registering before July 3 and $1,095 afterward. The Westin O’Hare offers attendees wishing…

Kevin Clark has been named President of Scotsman Ice Systems, the Ali Group company based in Vernon Hills, Ill. Clark is a veteran of 32 years in the industry, most recently serving as president of Standex Cooking Solutions Group, a division of Standex Int’l. He began his career on the dealer side of the business,…

Accurex’s new Fire Ready Hood, Model XRRS, functions as a standard ventilation range hood with the added capacity to suppress stove-top fires, addressing the challenge of protecting residential-style appliances used in commercial settings. Designed for use over a standard 30- or 36-in. residential range, the Fire Ready Hood incorporates a UL300A-listed self-contained, commercial-style automatic fire…

American Metalcraft adds to its abundant line of creative sauce cups with the introduction of two more styles: Black & White Melamine Stackable Sauce Cups and Colorful Organza Glass Sauce Cups. Both styles can be used for so much more than sauces and feature their own unique attributes. Available in black or white matte finish,…