Blanco CS has been renamed Blanco Professional. The family-owned company headquartered in Oberderdingen, Germany, says it is revising its name to make its objective clear: professionals producing for professionals. "The new company name is succinct and favorable for international use. It further emphasizes exactly who our customers are,” stated CEO Friedrich Schock. Blanco Professional produces…

Unified Brands announced Dec. 20 that it has acquired Power Soak Systems, a privately held manufacturer of continuous-motion warewashing systems. Power Soak is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and has a manufacturing facility in Pryor, Okla. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “The acquisition of Power Soak Systems will leverage our channel with…

We write a lot about the future in this space, trying to help you assess what the E&S market may bring in the way of opportunities and challenges. But it’s also good to look at the recent past. As we approach the end of 2012—this is our last e-newsletter of the year and the winter…

San Antonio-based Mission Restaurant Supply has acquired Metroplex Restaurant Equipment, a Fort Worth, Texas-based E&S dealership. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Metroplex’s previous owners, Danny Terrell and Ed Stephens, will remain active in the business. The acquisition represents Mission’s initial entry into the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. In addition to its San Antonio headquarters,…

Chefs’ Toys has acquired the assets of Star Restaurant Equipment & Supply of Van Nuys, Calif. Through the deal, which was official Dec. 3, Fountain Valley, Calif.-based Chefs’ Toys will operate Star as a fourth branch of its E&S group.  Chefs’ Toys, headed by Steve Dickler and Mike Krepistman, also has branches in Anaheim and…

Lois Thompson, 85, the founder of Hiawatha Chef Supply, passed away Nov. 27 after a long battle with emphysema. The former Lois Murker started the Escanaba, Mich., dealership in 1955, in partnership with Doug Wescott.  “There were very few woman-owned businesses in 1955 and none in the foodservice industry,” Thompson said later. “I signed all…

Long-time MAFSI member and past president Ray Ward died suddenly on Dec. 5. Ward spent 30 years as a manufacturers’ rep in upstate New York, where he was a principal of Rochester-based Quality Rep Source. The firm merged in 2007 with Bassett-Carragher Associates to form Link2 Hospitality Solutions. Three years ago, he took a post…

Foodservice equipment is getting more complex and the need for trained technicians is ever-growing. Also increasing is the stream of veterans returning from military service overseas who need jobs in the civilian sector. Service and equipment repair companies are part of a new program, TechU24, to recruit and train returning military personnel as foodservice equipment…

The Home of the Whopper is growing its global empire. After debuting last year in Brazil, China and Russia—and inking an agreement to open its first store in South Africa this year—Burger King Worldwide is returning to France. The chain hasn’t had a store there since 1997, when it exited the country, citing poor sales.…

It’s another bite of the burger market for Cheeseburger in Paradise chain for about $11 million. Co-branding is likely. In August, Luby’s opened a side-by-side Luby’s Cafeteria and Fuddruckers in a Houston suburb. Overall, Luby’s operates 93 Luby’s, 62 Fuddruckers, two Koo Koo Roo Chicken Bistros, and one Bob Luby’s Seafood Grill. Luby’s Culinary Services…