We knew the brutal winter in most parts of the U.S. was hurting restaurant and other foodservice sales. But we had no idea it was this bad. Technomic launched a new open webinar series last week (more on that in a moment) and the first topic was “The Wicked Winter of 2014.”To cut to the…

As we note above, forms for this year’s Foodservice Equipment Reports Top Dealer survey will be sent out this week. While we e-mail the forms and reminders to many of you, we want to emphasize that any dealer can participate in the survey and be listed as a Top Dealer in FER’s annual Top Dealer…

Hockenbergs Food Service Equipment & Supply, the Omaha, Neb., dealer, has acquired Grand Restaurant Equipment and Design. Tom Schrack Jr., president of Hockenbergs, stated that his 106-year-old firm is excited to welcome Eric Skogrand and the Grand team’s 150-plus years of industry experience, adding that Grand’s design and equipment supply operations will integrate seamlessly with…

Survey forms for Foodservice Equipment Reports’ annual Top Dealer listing are being e-mailed this week to past participants and other dealers. The survey data on sales volumes and service offerings once again will be published in FER’s June issue. The form also is on FER’s website at fermag.com/media-library/research.html FER’s Top Dealer Report is unique in…

The Energy Center of Wisconsin once again is teaming up with the expertise of the West Coast-based Food Service Technology Center to offer on-site commercial training and advice during the March 10-12 Midwest Foodservice Expo in Milwaukee. The program, “Operating an Energy-Efficient Restaurant,” will be led March 12 by Richard Young, the FSTC’s lead engineer…

Just weeks away from its annual convention—March 26-30 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif.—the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association is reminding the industry of its commitment to professional education. As part of its ongoing effort to help foodservice equipment dealers maintain and improve upon their professionalism and credentials, the FEDA Education…

LoLo, the Byram, Miss., maker of steamers, tilting skillets, kettles, refrigerated equipment stands and countertop cooking equipment, has recognized two of its distributors for outstanding performance. SESCO has been honored as LoLo’s 2013 Distributor of the Year. According to Clay Thames, Lolo’s national sales manager, “They are a well-managed company with owners/management who walk the…

Mike Whiteley has goals and a vision. The Hatco executive, a good friend of many of us, was installed as president of the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers over the weekend in New Orleans during the group’s Management Workshop and Annual Meeting. He takes over from Tom Campion of Franke who, among other…

The groundhog might be promising six more weeks of winter, but dealers planning to attend next month’s FEDA Annual Convention know they’ll enjoy a respite in the sun from this endless winter. But time is running out to register and reserve a room. The convention is slated for March 26-30 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort…

There are changes afoot at Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry. Last month, MAFSI elected Joe Ferri, CPMR, CFSP, as its 58th president. Ferri, a 32-year industry veteran, is COO of Pecinka Ferri Associates, Little Falls, N.J. Ferri’s new post was announced during the association’s 47th Business Development Conference and Sales Management Forum. Also…