Allied Buying Corporation, an Illinois-based dealer buying group, recognized the contributions of some of its members and vendors with its annual awards program.
The Foodservice Consultants Society International inducted five members into its College of Fellows and recognized the contributions of another member with its FCSI The Americas Service Award.
EPI merges with BLG, while MarkeTeam updates its line card. Also, Greenwald Sales & Marketing updates its Ohio sales team and Zink opens a culinary center.
RATIONAL USA promoted Roy Long to sales director, South region. Long joined the company in October 2023 as a regional sales manager.
Ron Diamond was appointed general manager for Electric Motor Repair Company, a Baltimore-based service agent.
SEFA, a dealer-based foodservice equipment and supplies buying group recognized the contributions of some of its member companies and suppliers through a series of annual awards. Specifically, SEFA named Oswalt Restaurant Supply its Member of the Year and Beverage Air/Victory Refrigeration its Supplier of the Year.
Welbilt promoted Todd Fenton to vice president and general manager of its Kolpak line, which manufactures walk-in refrigerators and freezers as well as refrigeration systems.
Multiline foodservice equipment manufacturer Ali Group, which operates in North America under the Welbilt name, made a series of leadership appointments that will take effective May 11, 2026. These appointments will impact its global organization and North American operations, including changes at Ali Group North America, BUNN and ACP, Inc.
Mark King was appointed executive chairman and interim chief executive officer for Jack in the Box Inc. King succeeds Lance Tucker, the architect of JACK on Track initiative that aims to improve the company’s financial performance.
Labor issues have started to level off for restaurant operators. Specifically, only 32% of restaurant and foodservice operators said they don’t have enough employees to support existing customer demand, per a National Restaurant Association study entitled “Research Insight: Workforce Hiring and Staffing.” This is down 10% from 2024 and 56% from 2021.
Edward Don & Company’s expansion in the Northeastern U.S. took another step forward with the appointment of Jeff Bean and Jose Christie as president and senior vice president of sales for the company’s New England region. These personnel moves come as Edward Don & Co. is developing a 100,000-square-foot regional distribution center in Holliston, Mass.
Chrane buys Heartland Reps, while Alexander Foodservice Equipment Group and E-Source Miller make personnel moves.
Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies came up short of expectations during the first quarter of 2026. The Business Barometer published by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry reported sales of foodservice equipment and supplies was 1.0% greater than the same period in 2025. MAFSI members had projected a 3.5% sales increase for the first quarter.
The Herndon Career Center culinary team from Raytown, Mo., and the Blue Valley West High School restaurant management team from Overland Park, Kan., took first place at the 2026 National Prostart Invitational, hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Boston Showcase Company hired Aaron Applegate as equipment purchasing manager.
TriMark USA LLC named Zeeshan Malik executive vice president of strategic sourcing.
Pride Centric Resources will withdraw from its participation in Alignity Group, effective December 31, 2026. PCR teamed with the National Association of Food Equipment Dealers to form the purchasing-co-op in May of 2025.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams appointed former Ben & Jerry’s executive David Stever to serve as chief executive officer.
The Hansen Group adds to its line card, while LTI updates its rep network. Plus, PBAC bolsters its culinary team.
The Society for Hospitality & Foodservice Management (SHFM) announced the recipients of its Directors’ Awards, as well as named the recipient of its 2026 Rising Young Professional award.
