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…

Darden Restaurants announced Friday that it had agreed to sell its 700-unit Red Lobster chain and related real estate assets to private equity firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion in cash. Darden said the sale—which defies activist investors who opposed plans to shed the struggling seafood chain— was not subject to shareholder approval and…

Heritage Foodservice Group has announced that it is shifting its focus and now solely will provide genuine original equipment manufacturer repair and replacement parts to the commercial kitchen industry. The Fort Wayne, Ind., company will no longer include a mix of either direct-source or generic parts in its offering to customers. Heritage says that while…

Taco Bell is making a play for the taste buds and wallets of Millennials, who flock to and spend bigger bucks in the $34 billion fast-casual segment. Dubbed U.S. Taco Co. and Urban Taproom, the new concept—highlighted by a vibrantly pink Day of the Dead skull logo—is scheduled to debut this summer in Huntington Beach,…

Golden Gate Capital has agreed to sell the 157-unit On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina casual-dining brand to Borders Holdings, an affiliate of Argonne Capital Group. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. On The Border, the largest full-service Mexican restaurant brand in the U.S., owns and operates 121 units domestically and franchises…

Vulcan/ITW Food Equipment Group has enhanced its sales and business-development team with three new appointments. Tim Welsh, a 10-year company veteran, has been promoted to the post of sales director-Chain Cooking Business unit. He is now responsible for managing and coordinating several initiatives for Vulcan’s recently formed Chain and Retail division. He also will oversee…

Mike Beaverson, Winholt Equipment Corp.’s foodservice business development manager, has been promoted to director-foodservice sales. Beaverson is now responsible for the Syosset, N.Y., company’s initiatives to expand sales and market share for its prep, storage and shelving products. He will report to Kevin Yates, v.p.-sales, and work closely with Winholt’s regional sales managers, foodservice sales-rep…

Imagine a world with no limitations—no client, no budget—and endless possibilities. What kind of foodservice concept would you design? The folks at the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show would like to find out. The IHMRS is inviting designers and operators to put their expertise and imagination together to create the next great Foodservice Pioneering…