Ed McCarthy, retired owner of North Star Agency in Edina, Minn., died May 22. He was 84. Although retired from the agency, McCarthy remained active in the business until he experienced a heart attack while driving near his home. A longtime member of MAFSI, he is remembered as a great storyteller who was proud of his…

Longtime MAFSI member, Joseph Sabatino, founder of High Sabatino Associates in Jessup, Md., died May 22. He was 76. He started out at F.A. Davis Co. as a draftsman in 1954 and became a salesperson at L&N Hill Co. in 1962. He joined forces with Ken High five years later and spent nearly 40 years…

Same-store sales continue to rise at Nashville-based

Scotsman Ice Systems has appointed Jeff Biel as director of marketing. Biel had been product manager for the company for more than seven years; prior to joining the Vernon Hills, Ill., firm, he served as product manager for seven years at Tetra Pak. Scotsman also has named Gary Schwalb as western regional sales manager. He…

This spring’s seventh biennial Food&Hotel Vietnam drew strong crowds from across Southeast Asia. Organizers of the April 24-26 show at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City counted a total of 12,394 attendees. Visitors to FHV2013 hailed from restaurants, hotel chains, airline caterers and supermarkets. In addition to a record-setting 19…

Don’t forget to stop by and see us this weekend at NRA Booth #5223. Whether you’re passing along company or personnel news or some new product information, or if you just want to say hello and ask us to come see something new at your booth, stop by and drop us a note (or send…

In partnership with former Quiznos Chief Executive Greg MacDonald, private-equity firm Gridiron Capital LLC has acquired a majority stake in the Asian fast-casual chain Tokyo Joe’s. MacDonald was named CEO of the 17-year-old chain, which has 25 locations in the greater Denver area. Tokyo Joe founder Larry Leith will become chief innovation officer, leading menu…

Made-to-order sandwiches bearing the Togo’s label will soon be found across Arizona. The San Jose, Calif., sandwich chain aims to develop 25 new units in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson. New and existing franchisees can benefit from $10 million in funding for remodels and transfers, as well as $5 million to build new restaurants…

Call it a light bulb of an idea. The National Restaurant Association has allied itself with North American LED to offer light emitting diode (LED) lighting solutions, to its members at discounted prices. Through the partnership, members will be able to purchase highly energy-efficient lighting at a reduced price, said David Matthews, exec. v.p. of…

The Legacy Companies announced May 14 that it had completed the acquisition of controlling interest in Kold-Draft, the Erie, Pa., manufacturer of ice machines. “The acquisition of Kold-Draft is an important day at our company,” said Neal Asbury, CEO of the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., conglomerate. “Kold-Draft is a legacy brand name in ice machinery and…