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, Mission…
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…
Unified Brands has hired Neil Kirven as healthcare segment manager. His responsibilities include creating and executing strategic product management. Kirven was previously president of Burlodge USA, an Ali Group company. In addition, the Jackson, Miss., manufacturer has hired Steve D’Angelo as corporate chef to develop custom culinary menu and foodservice product solutions. D’Angelo’s culinary experience…
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…
Libbey Inc. has become the exclusive U.S. distributor for two longtime German glass and servingware manufacturers. Libbey will distribute Spiegelau and Nachtmann products. Spiegelau, founded in 1521, makes fine stemware and premium drinkware assortments. Nachtmann was established in 1843 and offers upscale servingware, decorative products, stemware and drinkware. Both are owned by Riedel Glassworks. In addition…