Most-Read Stories of 2025

Gaining ground, whether by entering regions or acquiring companies, marked a running theme among the most-clicked stories on FER’s website, fermag.com. Get nostalgic with the following top 10 most-popular FER stories of 2025:

1. Cava Expands in Midwest

Cava opened its first unit in Indiana in March and had plans to open a second in the state by the end of the year. At the time, the Mediterranean fast-casual brand operated in 26 states and Washington, D.C. It aims to have 1,000 locations by 2032. In August, the brand served as one of the latest investors in an automated makeline supplier.

2. The Restaurant Store Opens Second Florida Location

Clark Associates opened its second location of The Restaurant Store in Jacksonville, Fla., in August, and in November, announced plans to open a third in Davie. The first Florida location opened in 2024 in Orlando. Overall, the division has locations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey, along with Florida, as well as distribution centers across the nation.

3. 600-Unit Chain Opens First Nevada Location

First Watch reached its 32nd state with a launch in Nevada, according to a September release. The breakfast, brunch and lunch spot opened the doors to a 4,400-square-foot unit in North Las Vegas, roughly 12 miles off the Las Vegas Strip. At the time, First Watch listed its total unit count as 600—531 company-owned and 69 franchise-owned.

4. Hoshizaki Acquires Structural Concepts

Hoshizaki Alliance announced in June that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Structural Concepts Corp. (The transaction has since closed.) Structural Concepts provides refrigerated and heated food display solutions. Other brands in Hoshizaki’s portfolio include Hoshizaki America, Lancer Worldwide, Jackson Warewashing Systems, Fogel Group and Hoshizaki Macom.

5. Highlights from The NAFEM Show

The biennial event ran Feb. 26-28, 2025, in Atlanta. As many as 633 exhibitors and an estimated 20,000 attendees were on-site at the three-day show. Product themes, according to the FER editors, included compact footprints, labor-saving features and energy-efficiency bonuses. In 2027, the show will return to Orlando.

6. Checking In With 2025’s Top Dealers

In the spring, FER talked with dealers to find out what highlights they experienced in 2024, and what challenges and opportunities they saw in the coming year. Gaining ground in certain markets, creating in-house efficiencies and building the next generation served as priorities. But at press time, the latest tariffs and the impact they would have on prices and the supply chain were front and center.

7. Dealers, Manufacturers Win FEDA Gold Awards

FEDA recognized distributor and manufacturer members during its Gold Awards Breakfast, held at its annual Executive Leadership Conference in September. Honorees included Stafford-Smith and Alto-Shaam for the spirit of giving, and Curtis Restaurant Equipment and Atosa for extraordinary service. Russell Hendrix and Thermo-Kool earned nods for model workplaces.

8. KaTom Elevates 3 Into Key Roles

Kodak, Tenn.-based KaTom Restaurant Supply announced several leadership transitions in May. Paula Chesworth—the daughter of Founder, President and CEO Patricia Bible—was appointed president, e-commerce; Charley Bible, Patricia’s son, moved to president, design and build; and James Rogers became president, operations.

9. Wienerschnitzel Kicks Off East Coast Expansion

Along with Cava and First Watch, Wienerschnitzel serves as another restaurant brand that entered new territory in 2025. In July, the Tustin, Calif.-based brand kicked off a growth opportunity on the East Coast with a seven-unit development deal in Norfolk and Richmond, Va., markets. In other news, the brand was working on opening locations inside Walmart stores.

10. Easy Ice Grows Footprint in Oklahoma, North Texas

In April, Easy Ice announced it had acquired the ice machine leasing divisions of Red Rock Food Equipment and Caba Leasing—both based in Oklahoma City and operating in Oklahoma and North Texas. Most recently, Easy Ice picked up the ice machine subscription and service division of Kirby Restaurant Equipment, serving east Texas.

Other stories that made the top 20 list include FER’s 2025 state of the foodservice industry feature story, October’s announcement of two promotions and three hires at TriMark USA, and Singer Equipment Co.’s April post that it had acquired Joseph Flihan Co. To stay in the loop on industry happenings, sign up for FER’s newsletters at fermag.com/newsletters.