Show-floor activity is always a harbinger of the year to come in foodservice, and last month’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is no exception. The May 17-20 show at Chicago’s McCormick Place posted positive growth in both attendee and exhibitor numbers for the third year in a row. Show registration hit 63,876 for total…

May is a busy month for the National Restaurant Association. In addition to the show in Chicago, the NRA had a number of awards to give out. Among them were the Operator Innovations Awards, in which operators worldwide are recognized by their peers for transforming the industry through innovation and combining imagination and hard work…

The National Restaurant Association Military Foundation gave out awards for excellence in military foodservice at operations worldwide. Service members and military establishments of the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Air National Guard, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy were honored at a ceremony held in conjunction with the NRA’s 58th annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel…

Frank Chandler has been appointed president of Belshaw Adamatic Bakery Group. In his new post, Chandler will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Auburn, Wash., manufacturer, and for developing and implementing its strategic plan under the oversight of parent Ali Group North America. Frank will report directly to CEO Filippo Berti and COO…

Graham Tillotson, a presence across five decades in the E&S industry, retired May 16 from Manitowoc Foodservice. Tillotson entered the E&S industry in 1973 when he joined The Delfield Co. and has spent his entire 41-year career—through mergers and acquisitions—at the company. He eventually rose to president of Delfield after serving in posts including v.p.-sales…

Middleby Marshall has been named by Marco’s Pizza as a recipient of its “High 5 Award.” The award honors vendors that meet certain quality, service and supply criteria for five consecutive years. Toledo, Ohio-based Marco’s Pizza has more than 470 stores in 33 states. Nor-Lake has been named the Heavy Equipment Vendor of the Year…

The Association for Healthcare Foodservice has named six winners of its four annual awards, which honor association-nominated individuals who have shown great leadership and achievement in the healthcare foodservice industry. In addition to the recipients below, AHF will be announcing winners for three additional awards—the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Making a Difference Award and the…

Carlisle Cos., the parent of Carlisle FoodService Products, has elected D. Christian (Chris) Koch as president and COO. Koch has been with Carlisle since 2008 and most recently served as group president of the Diversified Products Group, where he headed two of Carlisle’s four business segments, including Carlisle FoodService Products. He already has assumed his…

Argosy Group International, a maker of frozen dessert equipment, has finalized an agreement to acquire Donper America. Both companies are based in Orlando, Fla. AGI’s brands include Argosy, Donper America and Frozen Yogurt Solutions. Donper America manufactures self-serve frozen-yogurt equipment. “We entered the soft-serve market because the resurgence of frozen yogurt has energized the category.…

Carvel has introduced a new design for its full-sized and express locations. The prototype, which also includes a toppings bar and digital menu boards, debuted in Royal Palm, Fla., in March. The chain said it plans to open 20 restaurants using the new design in its core markets of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts…