Uncategorized

June 30, 2016

In Memoriam: Robert A. Curtis

Robert A. “Bob” Curtis, chairman and CEO emeritus of The Wilbur Curtis Co., and a pioneer in the foodservice and coffee industries, died June 24 in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Born in 1930 to company founder Wilbur Curtis and former CEO Margaret Curtis, he was the second in the four-generation lineage that has built and run…

June 28, 2016

Dealer Consolidation, Buying Groups, And The Prognosis For The Golden Goose

One of the reasons we started a dealer/distributor-only e-newsletter in 2010 was so we could discuss buying groups and other issues we’d prefer not to air in front of our operator friends. A convergence of events leads us to discuss some things that are just between us’uns: dealer consolidation, the undeniable impact of internet sales…

June 28, 2016

Vollrath Adds District Sales Manager In Carolinas

The Vollrath Company has hired Jason Prange as District Sales Manager for its foodservice division. Prange, a graduate of the Vollrath Sales trainee Program who has spent the past year working in multiple departments for the Sheboygan, Wis., manufacturer, will oversee sales, territory growth and market development in North and South Carolina. Prior to joining Vollrath,…

June 28, 2016

Webb Design Staff Expands By Three

Ray Soucie, FCSI, LEED AP, has joined Webb Foodservice Design after 25 years as Principal of RSA Inc. in Portland, Ore. Soucie assumes the title of Senior Project Manager and will focus exclusively on design and project management for Anaheim, Calif.-based Webb. He’ll remain in Portland, heading a design studio while maintaining personal contact with…

June 28, 2016

Boelter Acquires Premier Restaurant Equipment

The Boelter Cos. announced June 23 that it has acquired Premier Restaurant Equipment Co. In combining resources, the Milwaukee-based Boelter and the Minneapolis dealer state they are united by a common business culture and a depth of talented foodservice professionals. Boelter is the country’s fifth-largest E&S dealer, with sales of $306 million in 2015. Premier…

June 22, 2016

Sam Tell Cos. To Acquire Business Assets Of Premium Supply

In a deal expected to close early in July, Sam Tell and Son and Premium Supply Co.  have announced that Sam Tell will acquire certain business assets of Premium. Jay Pattinger, CEO of Premium, will join Sam Tell as an Executive Vice President and member of the company’s executive committee. “We are very excited to…

June 21, 2016

New Survey Cites Money Availability, Regulations As Challenging Business Growth

Small businesses are still struggling to get the money they need and to comply with government regulations, according to a survey by Babson College. Company owners who took part in the survey said they’ve been able to get only about 40% of the money they requested from all sources, including loans and investor funding. The…

June 21, 2016

Soft Drink Tax Bubbles Up In Philadelphia

The country’s first capital has become its first major city to approve a tax on soft drinks. Last week, the Philadelphia City Council approved a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax that will affect sodas and other sugary drinks, including teas, sports drinks and energy drinks. Drinks exempt from the tax are those that are more than 50% fruit juice, vegetable…

June 21, 2016

Foodesign Associates Adds Project Director

June 21, 2016

Soucie Signs On With Webb Foodservice Design

Ray Soucie, FCSI, LEED AP, has joined Webb Foodservice Design after 25 years as Principal of RSA Inc. in Portland, Ore. Soucie assumes the title of Senior Project Manager and will focus exclusively on design and project management for Anaheim, Calif.-based Webb.  He’ll remain in Portland, heading a design studio while maintaining personal contact with…