The National Association of College & University Food Services needs a few good men and women. The Okemos, Mich., association is looking for board nominations to lead its membership of about 550 institutions of higher education from across the U.S. and Canada as well as nearly 500 industry members from the food, equipment and consulting…
Bloomin’ Brands has announced plans to sell its 28-unit upscale concept Roy’s after deciding the brand would get more attention under new owners. “The brand is a small part of our portfolio,” according to CEO Elizabeth Smith. “Roy’s deserves to be in a situation where it can get the time, attention and resources it needs…
Centre Lane Partners, holding company of Focus Foodservice, has acquired two leading smallwares suppliers: Update Int’l. and the U.S. and Canadian operations of Johnson-Rose Inc. Both businesses are now affiliates of Focus, a leading supplier of bakeware, beverage, storage and handling equipment as well as assorted smallwares. Los Angeles-based Update has been manufacturing smallwares and…
The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management has announced the six winners of its Directors Awards, which recognize those individuals who go above and beyond in serving the association and the industry. Marcia Austero, senior v.p./senior supplier manager with Bank of America, receives SHFM’s Community Service Award, recognizing an individual who supports the corporate foodservice…
Chicago-based Forever Brands has acquired a 50% stake in the Mediterranean restaurant chain Falafill and intends to grow the franchise by at least 10 locations in 2015, mostly in the Chicago area and the Midwest. Forever Brands, which owns the 30-unit Forever Yogurt chain, will take a 50% equity stake in Falafill in exchange for…
Middleby Corp. is adding another brand of high-end residential kitchen equipment by entering into a definitive agreement to acquire U-Line Corp., a maker of built-in modular ice machines, refrigerators, freezers and wine-preservation equipment. Founded in 1962, U-Line is based in Milwaukee, where it will remain headquartered. The company has annual revenues of approximately $60 million.…
Vincent J. Guarriello, one of the true legends of the foodservice equipment industry and who was pivotal in its postwar development, passed away Oct.16 in Red Bank, N.J. He was 93. Guarriello had a long tenure in the E&S industry and was mentor to many corporate and sales executives working today. He served many years…
Candle Lamp Co., the parent of SternoCandleLamp, was acquired Oct. 10 for $163 million by Westport, Conn.-based Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI). The century-old company, headquartered in Corona, Calif., makes and markets portable food- warming fuel and table lighting products, including wick- and gel-chafing fuels, butane stoves and accessories, liquid and traditional wax candles, catering equipment,…
LYFE Kitchen, the chain with an acronym for its name (Love Your Food Everyday), has made Santa Clarita, Calif., home to its 11th location. As at its other stores, every dish on the menu is fewer than 600 calories and features only locally sourced ingredients. Also in line with the Irvine, Calif., company’s policy, the…
In August,