The FEDA Education Foundation has awarded 12 scholarships for the University of InnovativeDistribution program next year. This year’s recipients are:Ray Garcia, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, San Antonio.Kevin Wilkinson, Bargreen Ellingson, Tacoma, Wash.Alan Krakowiak, Buffalo Hotel Supply Co., Amherst, N.Y.Nathan Beucler, Burkett Restaurant Equipment, Toledo, Ohio.Mike Slapak, Central Restaurant Products, Indianapolis.Lauren Lowery, Dixie Store Fixtures &…

Joel Kulwin passed away Nov. 10 after a short battle with acute leukemia. He was 61. Kulwin had a long and varied sales career in the E&S and hospitality industries. Most recently, he served as South Florida district manager for Sysco Guest Supply. In the early 1980s, he was merchandise manager of Edward Don Co.…

Check it out, check it off: Membership dues invoices recently sent to FEDA members include a line item to donate $250 to help combat interior design legislation. Over the past few years, a number of bills that would significantly impede dealers’ ability to perform interior design functions have been introduced on a state-by-state basis. FEDA…

Robert Perlick, the former president of Perlick Corp., died Nov. 29 at age 92. After serving in U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS New York, Perlick joined his father and two uncles at the family business established as R. Perlick Brassworks in Milwaukee in 1917. He spent his career at Perlick Corp.,…

The lowest gasoline prices in five years have restaurant operators feeling bubbly. The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index jumped nearly two full points in October to reach 102.8. It was the RPI’s highest mark since December 2004. The index has remained in expansion territory—readings above 100—for 20 consecutive months. “The positive same-store sales and…

The Business Barometer from the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry improved modestly in the third quarter 2014. Overall sales rose 3.9% compared to the third quarter in 2013. This was improvement over 2Q’s 3.1% increase and a 3.3% gain 1Q. But the real story is the wide disparities between MAFSI regions. Sales boomed…

The Boelter Cos. has acquired Orland Park, Ill.-based Robert Gill & Co., expanding the Waukesha, Wis., giant’s presence in the Chicago-area healthcare and hospital foodservice market segment. Paul, Bill and Steve Gill will join the Boelter organization. “Robert Gill & Co. has been a strong dealer in the Chicago market for over 40 years, focused…

Registration materials should be in member’s mailboxes this week for the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association’s Annual Convention, March 25-29, 2015, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Convention Chair Carl Gustafson, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, and Assistant Chair Jay Ringelheim, Globe Equipment Co., have put together a program to motivate, challenge,…

The Sysco-US Foods deal might be closer to regulatory approval than we thought. Sysco, the country’s biggest food distributor, is closing in on a deal for the $3.5 billion merger. The key is divestiture, and the Houston firm is in advanced talks to sell some assets to Blackstone Group-owned Performance Food Group. The Federal Trade…

Gary Simpson has been promoted by ITW FEG to v.p.-dealer sales. He now has responsibilities for North American dealer sales for Hobart, Traulsen and Baxter, and reports to Group Pres. Lei Schlitz. Simpson joined Hobart in 1994 as a territory sales trainee. He moved up the ladder and most recently served as regional sales director.…