Breaking news for the full foodservice equipment and supplies distribution channel. Includes information on dealers, distributors, design consultants and multi-unit operators spanning leadership changes, mergers and acquisitions, trends, data and much more.
The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management recognized a collection of its members for their efforts in going “above and beyond to serve the association and better the industry.”
Avanti Restaurant Solutions tapped Gary Coburn to serve as chief operating officer for the California-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealer.
A far cry from historic mom-and-pop concepts, pizza chains such as MOD Pizza, Pie Five, Your Pie and Blaze continue to capitalize on the fast-casual, prep-on-display model. With an emphasis on transparency, these designs play on the open-kitchen format, with prep and cook areas both in full view of customers. Operators use a combination of heat and speed to turn out a high-quality product in a minimal amount of time.
HX’s Pioneering Concept award winner Duality will showcase pop-up capabilities at HX: The Hotel Experience
Doughnuts continue to maintain a strong following after seeing explosive growth in small-batch, artisanal shops in urban markets a few years ago. Current twists on the trend include nontraditional fillings like liqueurs and Earl Grey cream, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2019 What’s Hot culinary forecast.
A number of terms continue to define foodservice today: artisanal, farm-to-table, global and regional, to name just a few. Almost all of them tie in one way or another to the concept of authenticity. Today’s consumers demand their food not just taste great but also connect with its origins, whether that be in terms of ingredients or prep method. That’s particularly true when it comes to ethnic dishes.
Barry Blalock was promoted to vice president of chain accounts for the APW/Bakers Pride/Star Holdings Group, which is part of Middleby Corp. This group includes a variety of equipment lines such as APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Holman, Lang, Star, Toastmaster, Wells and Wells Ventless.
Halton opened a new production facility in the Lingang area of Shanghai, China. In this new location Halton will manufacture its line of hoods for commercial kitchens, ventilated ceilings and pollution control systems.
Longtime foodservice consultant Al Moller has joined Theodore Barber & Company, a Florida-based foodservice consulting firm. Moller will serve as regional director for TBC’s new Denver office.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouses’ and Del Frisco’s Grille’s time as part of private equity firm L Catterton’s portfolio will be a short one. That’s because L Catterton, which closed on its previously announced $650 million all-cash acquisition of the Del Frisco’s duo on September 25 plans to sell the restaurant chains to Landry’s Inc. Terms of the deal with Landry’s were not disclosed.
Inspire Brands, parent company to Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and SONIC Drive-In, will add a sandwich chain to its portfolio. The company will acquire Jimmy John’s Sandwiches in a deal that’s expected to close by the end of October.