Bragging rights and recognition as drivers of industrywide advancement belong to the 15 foodservice operators selected by their peers as finalists for the 2013 Operator Innovations Awards. Three finalists in each of five categories: Food Safety, Health and Nutrition, Menu Development, Sustainability and Technology will be brought to Chicago for the 2013 National Restaurant Association…

In an acquisition that reorders the shape of the E&S distribution field, TriMark USA, LLC has acquired Strategic Equipment and Supply Corp., headquartered in Coppell, Texas. The acquisition positions TriMark as the nation’s largest foodservice equipment and supplies distributor. With the addition of this new division, the South Attleboro, Mass., company can report revenue of…

Dallas-based Mooyah has opened its 50th “better burger” unit. The Plano, Texas, store, which opened March 4, is the chain’s 35th outlet in its home state. The fast-growing brand also is aggressively pursuing franchise growth in California, Florida, New England, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Virginia. Mooyah currently has stores in 10 states. The six-year-old chain…

Not being the typical burger concept takes work—and redesign. On the eve of its 200th unit opening, Smashburger has introduced a new store design with softer lighting, high-tech digital menu boards, exposed wooden rafters and stainless table trims. Smashburger added 58 new locations globally in 2012, comprised of 17 company-owned and 41 franchised locations. In…

IHOP opened its first store in the Philippines in March and will expand its pancake empire throughout the Asia Pacific region under a franchise agreement with InterDine Corp. IHOP parent DineEquity says 20 units will open in the Philippines over the next five years; others should follow in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The…

The numbers for NAFEM ’13 are in, and they back up what observers noted at last month’s busy show: Attendance at the E&S industry’s biggest show was up nearly 3% over NAFEM ’11. Overall, more than 19,000 industry members participated in the Orlando, Fla., show, including 10,156 attendees. Forty-four percent of attendees were dealers, 26%…

Bon Chef has appointed Jeremy Mottola as its new v.p. of U.S. sales. Prior to his promotion, Mottola was growing market share for the Lafayette, N.J., company as v.p.-eastern regional and international sales. In his new post, he will oversee all sales of Bon Chef’s line of flatware, servingware, buffet equipment and custom millwork products…

El Pollo Loco has appointed Richard Pineda as v.p.-supply chain management and Jeff Little as v.p.-development. Pineda will manage the entire supply chain for the Costa Mesa, Calif., company, including logistics and distribution, and all non-food spend categories, including supplies, uniforms and natural gas. He had been v.p.-purchasing and supply chain for Sizzler USA and…

The future of corporate dining technology gets a closer look next month at the Society for Foodservice Management’s Critical Issues Conference. The one-day meeting, April 26 at TimesCenter in New York, brings together SFM members with leaders of onsite foodservice operations for sessions on creating social media strategies, workplace solutions for customer engagement and managing…

Bargreen Ellingson is expanding its presence in the 49th state by opening a full-service operation, including a showroom and warehouse in Anchorage. The new facility also will serve Canada’s British Columbia territory. Alaska is the eighth state to host a Bargreen Ellingson operation; when it opens next month, it will be the Tacoma, Wash., dealer’s…