Some new titles for four employees at Champion Industries: Anthony Patella has assumed the post of regional sales manager-South and Nathan Marshall now has the title of product manager. Patella previously held the position of regional sales manager for Moyer Diebel. He is based at Champion/Bi-Line headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C. Marshall, who had played a…

New officers and directors have been installed on the board of the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals. The 2013-14 board, as elected by the membership, took office during ANFP’s recent National Leadership Conference in Savannah, Ga. All board members have earned their CDM, CFPP designations. Board Chair: Paula Bradley, foodservice director-Protection Valley Manor, Protection,…

Through Nov. 15, the National Restaurant Association is offering discount pricing for the NRA Show 2014, May 17-20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Early-bird registrants can save 60% off the regular admission price. Registration is at Restaurant.org/Show. Association members receive free show registration and a member-exclusive registration rate of $50 for the concurrent Int’l. Wine, Spirits…

Del Taco has made four executive appointments. Two company veterans have been promoted: John Druse, named as v.p.-design and construction, and Mike Lucero, appointed v.p.-franchise development and real estate. Eric Grundmeier joins the Lake Forest, Calif., chain as v.p.-supply chain and quality assurance. He held a similar post at Qdoba Restaurant Corp. David Wetzel has…

Johnson-Lancaster and Associates has relocated its corporate headquarters to 13031 U.S. Hwy. 19N, Clearwater, FL 33764. Johnson-Lancaster’s contact information, including phone, fax and email has not changed. The move to the 70,000-sq.-ft. facility in Pinellas County provides the fast-growing dealer with an additional 50,000 sq. ft. of space. “In the new facility, we have been…

While it’s not quite the same as selling ice to the Eskimos, Starbucks Coffee has announced plans to open its first café in a renowned home of the coffee bean: Colombia. After 42 years of buying coffee beans from the country with South America’s second largest economy, Starbucks will finally start selling its Colombian brews…

Ryne Stover has been appointed national accounts sales specialist at floor-mat manufacturer The Andersen Co. Sales veteran Alan Brown will fill the post as regional manager for the Dalton, Ga., firm’s safety/industrial sales division. Anderson, a division of Mountville Mills, manufactures floor mats for foodservice, janitorial/sanitary, safety/industrial, floor covering, and commercial catalog markets. Frontline International,…

Manitowoc Foodservice has appointed Chris Karssiens to the role of executive vice president-Foodservice Asia Pacific (APAC). In his new post, effective immediately, Karssiens is responsible for fulfilling the New Port Richey, Fla., company’s APAC strategy and annual business plans, and overseeing its operations in China (Foshan and Hangzhou) and Singapore, as well as its joint-venture…

Long John Silver’s is switching to trans-fat-free cooking oil in its domestic restaurants. By the end of the year, the company says that all of its U.S. locations will use trans-fat-free cooking oil for all fried products. The chain’s outlets located in cities or states that ban trans fats from restaurant food—including New York City…

When the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show asked consultants to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard to create “The Next Great Foodservice Concept,” the IHMRS staff set no limits. The competition for the design of a revenue-generating foodservice concept attracted 11 entrants. They provided a concept description, sample menu, renderings, equipment list…