Shortly after Middleby Corp. announced Dec. 31, 2012, that it purchased Viking Range for $380 million in cash, FER Publisher/Research Editor Robin Ashton called Middleby Chairman and CEO Selim Bassoul to check on the thinking behind the deal. The phone call turned into a broad discussion not only of the rationale and plans for Viking,…
MOREKitchen Brains, the Stratford, Conn., maker of integrated wireless networking solutions and SaaS applications, has acquired the assets of Modularm Corp., a Commack, N.Y., maker of refrigeration monitoring and control systems. “This acquisition adds refrigeration and cold storage products to our portfolio, allowing us to more broadly serve our OEM and chain restaurant clients,” said…
MORET&S Brass and Bronze Works has acquired Chicago-based EnviroPure Systems, a developer of alternative environmentally friendly technologies for organic food waste disposal. The plumbing and foodservice equipment maker has retained EnviroPure Pres. Jim Slanina to serve as president in the new operation, which will be headquartered adjacent to the T&S manufacturing plant on the company’s…
MOREChicago Metallic Bakeware has acquired Lockwood Mfg. and has assumed management of the Brantford, Ontario, company’s stock pan business. Both the Chicago Metallic and PanGlo operations will be overseen by Robert Bundy, who has been appointed managing director for the Canadian plants. Gil Bundy, president of Chicago Metallic, stated, “We are thrilled with this new…
MOREMimi’s Café, the French-inspired casual-dining chain founded in 1978 and currently owned by Bob Evans Farms, will soon have a new French parent. Bob Evans has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the 145-unit chain for $50 million to LeDuff America. Mimi’s Café, established by a World War II veteran who loved his time…
MOREQuiznos has announced an aggressive expansion into Mexico. The toasted sandwich chain will compete with Subway, which already has about 600 stores there. On Jan. 28, the Denver-based chain said it had signed a master franchise agreement with Mexico City-based Quizmex SA DE CV, which plans to open and subfranchise about 150 restaurants over the…
MOREMichael Conte has been promoted to the presidency of Franklin Machine Products. Through his 24 years with Lumberton, N.J.-based FMP, Conte has served as GM, vice president and most recently, executive v.p./COO. He succeeds Joe Grato, FMP’s president for 13 years. Grato takes on the title of president emeritus and chairmanship of the FMP business…
MOREThe SFM Hennessey Travelers Program was unexpectedly cancelled just days before newly named SFM Traveler Tony Kaszuba was set to depart. The U.S. Air Force has cancelled all NRA Hennessy Traveler Evaluations due to “significant budget reductions and the looming sequestration.” The 57-year-old program could return, but meanwhile SFM will remain steadfast in efforts to…
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MOREThe biggest E&S show of the year opens next week. We hope to see a lot of you at NAFEM ’13, Feb. 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. If we don’t see you in aisles or at your booth, please stop by FER Booth #1663. And we especially hope to see…
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