Publisher’s Note: Chicago Bound

It’s the perfect hat trick: first, FER’s Multiunit Foodservice Equipment Symposium in January, then The NAFEM Show in February and now the National Restaurant Association Show in May! I could not be more excited for this year’s show, along with all the other foodservice events that accompany it in Chicago.

Speaking of MUFES, the dates and location of MUFES 2026 have been announced. We are excited to be returning to the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa in Clearwater Beach, Fla., on Feb. 2-4, 2026.

Educating readers is a mainstay of what any good media company aims to do. I might be biased, but I can honestly say nobody does that better than the FER editorial team, and I want to personally thank Allison Rezendes and Lauren Coughlin for spearheading that effort and the amazing work they do. They not only deliver the great content found in each issue, but also the newsletters, videos and analyses you can find on our website. They have transformed FER into a true digital media company and if you haven’t already subscribed to our newsletters, or visited our website and video libraries regularly, I’m not sure what you are waiting for. You can sign up for our newsletters at fermag.com/newsletters/.

Time to celebrate events, good media and a dear friend.

Just as we were closing this issue, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Jewett, CEO of Strata GPO. I only knew Mike for a few years, but we instantly clicked and became friends. Mike had that way about him. Mike will be greatly missed not only by me and his team, but the industry he grew up in and so deeply loved.

Live every day to the fullest, and I look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

RANDY HANO

President & Publisher, FER Media

CEO, Specifi North America

rhano@fermag.com