Noodles & Co. has become the first fast-casual concept to file for an initial public offering this year. The Broomfield, Colo.-based chain’s long-anticipated IPO, filed May 23, seeks to raise up to $75 million with the goal of repaying debt and growing nationally. There were eight foodservice industry IPOs in 2012, but none were fast-casual…

Just a glance at the numbers makes it clear: It was a good year to make the trek to Chicago’s McCormick Place for the 94th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and 6th annual International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event. The May 18-21 show posted a second year of positive growth in both attendee…

John C. Metz Jr., CEO/executive chef and co-founder of Atlanta-based Sterling Hospitality, was named the Gold Plate Award winner by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association on May 20. Metz, nominated by The Coca-Cola Co. and Ecolab, was one of eight operator executives who were eligible for the award after receiving the IFMA Silver Plate award…

Gary Bowker, 62, who served with Denver-based The Redstone Group, died May 22. According to MAFSI, of which he was a longtime member, Bowker will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, wonderful smile and his love of people. His survivors include his wife, Martha. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his…

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…