More than 1,200 exhibitors from Germany and abroad will be in Hamburg, Germany, this weekend for
The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association has announced the recipients of the 2013 Silver Plate Awards, which recognize individual excellence in eight segments of foodservice operations. From among these recipients, one will be honored as the Gold Plate Award winner at the 59th Annual
SoCalGas’ Food Service Equipment Center is hosting a fry-off next week. Registrants for the hands-on seminar can learn how to save money and produce higher-quality fried food with Energy Star high-efficiency fryers. The fryer challenge is slated for March 12, 9 a.m.-noon. A similar program will held the next day at NorCalGas in San Ramon.…
The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation have elected officers to their boards of directors and trustees, respectively. Both organizations have named several industry leaders to join their respective boards for terms lasting until the end of 2015. The NRA’s 2013 officers are: Chair: Philip Hickey Jr., CEO-Jocks II Inc., Atlanta.…
Nearly a decade after its franchisees bought the chain out of Chapter 11, casual-dining chain Ground Round is making a comeback. The 27-unit chain has rolled out a new family-dining/sports-lounge prototype in Waconia, Minn., and is opening a smaller sports-themed concept in nontraditional sites. Ground Round also has inked deals for five units in New…
Heritage Food Service Group has acquired Toronto-based R.G. Henderson & Sons Ltd., one of Canada’s largest foodservice equipment repair and OEM parts distributors. Heritage, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., is the foodservice equipment industry’s largest independent distributor of OEM service and replacement parts in North America. Henderson, founded in 1986, is the biggest firm of…
Ignite Restaurant Group, which operates 129 Joe’s Crab Shack and 15 Brick House Tavern+Tap restaurants, is adding Romano’s Macaroni Grill to its casual-dining stable. Ignite is purchasing the 210-unit chain from Golden Gate Capital; the $55 million acquisition includes Brinker International’s minority share in Romano’s. The casual-dining Italian food chain was founded in 1988 and…
The world’s largest restaurant brand will be more aggressive this year in its pursuit of sales and customers. The pledge from McDonald’s Corp. CEO Don Thompson comes as the company announced global same-store sales were up 3.1% in 2012. Sales numbers slipped a bit in the fourth quarter, but the chain is investing big in…
Burger King Worldwide just reported a strong finish to 2012 and progress on key strategic initiatives. The Miami-based chain’s fourth-quarter results include full-year data, and revealed that in 2012, BKW grew comparable sales 3.2% and added 485 net new restaurants, for nearly 4% unit growth. Additionally, it refranchised 871 restaurants, bringing it to a 97%…
Steve Spittle, CFSP, has been named v.p.-sales and marketing at Pitco Frialator, home to the Pitco, MagiKitch’n, Anets and Perfect Fry brands. Spittle most recently served as regional v.p. of sales with Pitco and Blodgett Ovens. Prior to joining Pitco three years ago, he was v.p. of Ohio-based Restaurant Outfitters. Spittle will report directly to…