Weeks after announcing it had become an exclusive supplier of OEM-only parts, Heritage Foodservice Group has launched a new branding platform to undergird its Heritage Parts business focus and sharpen its strengths and relationships in the E&S industry.The rebranding includes a new logo, a redesigned website and a new marketing campaign in print, digital and…

Last week’s annual conference of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice in Orlando, Fla., included topical speakers and panel discussions, as well presentations of AHF’s highest awards. Patti Oliver, director of nutrition at UCLA Health, was presented with the 2014 AHF Lifetime Achievement Award. The association’s top award recognizes operator members who best exemplify the leadership…

AccuTemp Products has tapped David Brinkley, CFSP, as v.p.-Combi Oven Division. Brinkley will be responsible for the sales of AccuTemp’s new Fusion line of combination oven-steamers. He will report directly to John Pennington, CFSP, the Fort Wayne, Ind., company’s exec. v.p.-sales/marketing and senior corporate chef. Brinkley will work out of his office in St. Louis.…

McDonald’s Corp. will refranchise at least 1,500 restaurants by 2016, focusing on its Europe and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) regions. That’s more than a 50% jump in refranchising activity from the prior three years; it would allow the chain to focus on running fewer restaurants while still collecting royalties from the franchised locations.…

Global ambitions are on the agenda at Boneheads Grilled Fish and Chicken. The nine-unit fast-casual chain plans to open 50 stores in the next three years and will debut overseas through a franchise agreement for five stores in Pakistan. Two locations will open by the end of the year. Atlanta-based Boneheads also has inked a…

Another chain is joining in the scramble to create a winning fast-casual concept. Starbucks is set to launch a continental diner this week in Los Angeles. The Seattle company, which acquired San Francisco chain La Boulange Bakery in 2012, will debut La Boulange, serving sandwiches, salads and omelets as well as dinner options, including croissant…

Jerry and Anne Menter, owners of Hollowick Inc. have been named to the Manufacturers Association of Central New York Wall of Fame. The nearly 44-year-old Manlius, N.Y., maker of tabletop lighting and fuel products also has honored Metro, N.Y.-based Gotham City Hospitality as its Rep of the Year. Michael Nolan has been named executive v.p./chief…

TGI Fridays will have a new parent by the end of July. Carlson is selling the chain to Sentinel Capital Partners and TriArtisan Capital Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Carlson, which acquired TGI Fridays in 1975 when it had just 12 units, plans to focus on its hotel and travel businesses.…

The Cheesecake Factory sees opportunity in Asia. The Calabasas Hills, Calif., chain has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Hong Kong-based Maxim’s Caterers to build and operate its restaurants. The agreement provides for the development of at least 14 restaurants over the next 10 years in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, with the…

F.H. “Jay” Jabas, the founder of Nu-Vu Foodservice Systems, died March 30. He was 81. Jabas got his start in the foodservice equipment industry as an engineer for Ansul and went on to acquire MJR Industries and Roilgard in Menomonie, Mich., where he was owner/president for 25 years. He is survived by his wife of…