Globetrotting E&S professionals who make the trek to Hotelex Shanghai, March 31-April 3, will find more than 1,500 exhibitors from around the world set up for business at the Shanghai New Int’l. Expo Centre.Last year’s edition saw a 36% boost in attendance and a similar expansion in exhibit space, which filled 11 halls with displays.…

Fazoli’s total unit count is growing for the first time in a decade. The Lexington, Ky., chain has inked agreements with new and existing franchisees for at least nine new locations, including multiples sites in its home state, as well as Indianapolis; Dubuque, Iowa; and Glenwood Springs, Colo. Fazoli’s, which has 217 units in 26…

The Middleby Corp. has acquired the commercial refrigeration and foodservice products business of Celfrost Innovations Pvt. Ltd., a Gurgaon, India-based firm with $20 million in annual sales. The Celfrost business was acquired by Middleby’s newly established entity in India, Middleby Commercial Food Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Celfrost manufactures foodservice equipment including refrigerators, ice machines, freezers and…

The global donut market is about to get a little more attention from Dunkin’ Donuts. Dunkin’ Brands Group, the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins is expanding the roles of Paul Twohig, president-Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. and Canada, and Bill Mitchell, president-Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada, to include international regions as the Canton, Mass., company seeks…

Every penny counts: While McDonald’s Corp. managed to beat third-quarter earnings estimates by a penny—profits were up despite weak sales—the company is re-thinking its 2014 plans. The chain will be pushing back on opening new restaurants, particularly in China and other emerging markets. The company now expects to spend a total of $3 billion this…

IMI is selling its beverage dispensing and merchandising businesses, including 82-year-old Cornelius, to the Berkshire Hathaway-owned Marmon Group. The Glendale Heights, Ill.-based Cornelius, which makes valves and dispensers and other parts for beer, juice, soft-drink and frozen-drink equipment, accounts for about 14% of IMI’s overall revenue. In addition to Cornelius, the $1.1 billion sale includes…

Two familiar names, former Enodis and Scotsman Industries executives Dave McCulloch and Dave Wrench, have stepped back in the E&S world with their investment in HTG Trading Ltd. The newly renamed HTG Investment Ltd., which owns Hubbard Ice Systems and Taylor UK, was previously owned by a venture capital consortium. Hubbard Ice Systems is the…

Somat Waste Reduction Technology and Stero Warewashing Systems have inked an exclusive supply source agreement with Aerowerks to help launch a new line of TragenFlex conveyors and handlers. The agreement with Aerowerks boosts the companies’ goal of providing complete dishroom and waste-management solutions. Pete Michailo, who spearheaded the effort for Somat/Stero, said securing the agreement…

After two years of solid growth and a revamped restaurant design, business is good at Captain D’s Seafood Restaurants. Now the Nashville, Tenn., chain soon will have new ownership. Boca Raton, Fla.-based private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners recently announced an agreement to sell Captain D’s to New York-based Centre Partners. Terms of the deal were…

Nor-Lake was honored recently with an award recognizing its 45 years of association with the Dairy Queen System. Nor-Lake has supplied walk-in and cabinet equipment to Dairy Queen since 1968. The Hudson, Wis., company received the award at the 2013 Dairy Queen Supply Chain Summit, Sept. 24-27, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Middleby Corp. has been…