From the Editor: Glad You’re Here

In this industry, we’re all about hospitality. Let me be the first to welcome you to our annual How To Spec Roundup. Here at FER, one of our signature offerings is equipment comparisons, where, in every issue, we do a deep dive into several equipment categories. We share what’s new—application or design-wise—and how to specify the product. Then once a year, we combine our best findings into the How To Spec Roundup, which starts on Page 25.

This year, you’ll find one of our most diverse mixes of equipment categories, from ice machines to fryers. Each story serves as an abbreviated version of the original so you have access to as many categories as space will allow. You can find the full-length versions, including the product galleries, right here at fermag.com.

I hope you hang onto this issue all year and consider it a trusted, third-party resource as you plan your equipment selections. Note each story has a sidebar listing manufacturers and their websites to jump-start your search. If you’re here, you might be an equipment geek like me. Let me point out three facts found in our 2024 How To Spec Roundup:

• Operators now have access to Energy Star-certified electric cooktops. One part of the category is induction cooktops (Page 37), and at least one manufacturer has earned certification on 12 of its models.

• Radio frequency technology improves food quality. I have seen one high-speed oven using the technology at a trade show but it wasn’t until I read our story, Page 41, that I learned exactly how it works. It allows for more control over the heat going into the food, compared with microwaves.

• Dual-rack dishmachines represent a challenge met by manufacturers. Undercounter models (Page 57) used to stick to single racks because it was difficult to get a thorough clean on two racks in brief wash cycles. Several manufacturers have cleared that hurdle and introduced dual-rack units, boosting throughput.

In 2025, we’ll bring you plenty of fresh equipment comparisons on topics including hot holding cabinets, kitchen management systems and nitro coffee dispensers. Speaking of which, can I get you something to drink?

ALLISON REZENDES
Editor-in-Chief
arezendes@fermag.com

3 THINGS

2024 NEWS ROUNDUP

Of course, the foodservice industry saw big news like Restaurant Brands Int’l. acquiring Carrols Restaurant Group for about $1 billion, Starbucks tapping Chipotle’s Brian Niccol as its CEO and a slew of brands expanding outside the U.S. for the first time. But in our equipment and design corner, notable highlights included the following:

Noteworthy Rebrand

Ali Group North America announced in March it would operate under the Welbilt name. Filippo Berti, chairman and CEO of Ali Group, says in the release it was a strategic move that leverages Welbilt’s “strong brand reputation, significant market presence, comprehensive customer solutions and well-established relationships,” plus more.

Two Top Dealers Merge

Singer Equipment Co. shared in April it had acquired the business of Hotel & Restaurant Supply. The two merged to create Singer H&R.

Standards Watch

In June, Cal/OSHA approved a standard that would require safety measures to prevent employee exposure to the risk of heat illness in indoor workplaces, like kitchens. In July, the DOL posted a proposed rule with similar requirements at the federal level.