TGI Fridays hired Ray Risley to serve as U.S. president and chief operating officer and Nik Rupp as president of international markets and chief financial officer.
Former MGM Resorts executive Dominique Bertolone was appointed president of Brinker International chain Maggiano’s Little Italy. In addition to leading the Italian dining chain, Bertolone will become part of Brinker’s executive leadership team.
Dan Hinkle will retire from his post as chief commercial officer for Refrigerated Solutions Group, effective December 31, 2023.
Big Table Restaurants hired Donald Gale to serve as director of culinary for the Atlanta-based multiconcept operator. The company’s portfolio of concepts includes HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, Cattle Shed Wine & Steak Bar and Big Table Events & Catering.
Polar King International promoted Rachel Giese to inventory and assembly manager.
Looking to better leverage its internal resources and accelerate its growth, multiconcept operator Inspire Brands realigned its corporate structure across three key areas: brands, commercial and company restaurants and growth.
Shake Shack Inc. is on the lookout for a new chief executive officer. That’s because Randy Garutti, the chain’s current CEO, told Shake Shack’s board of directors he intends to retire in 2024 once the company identifies his successor.
Winco hired Christian Yungbluth and Mark Massey to serve as category sales director – equipment division and regional sales director – east region.
Tuxton China made two personnel moves. Michael Byrne now serves as group president and Steve Abourisk now serves as sr. vice president of business development.
Stainless Specialties Inc. has been acquired by North American Kitchen Solutions, an Ohio-based foodservice equipment manufacturer.
Restaurant chain Rock N Roll Sushi named Craig LeMieux chief executive officer and Terri Jessen vice president of operations. LeMieux succeeds CEO Chris Kramolis, who has served in the role since October 2020, and will stay on with the company as chief development officer.
Rippe Associates added Matthew Anderson as an associate principal for the Minneapolis-based foodservice consulting firm.
TriMark USA, LLC has added Danny Austin as a senior vice president of supply chain. Austin will also be part of the foodservice equipment and supplies dealer’s senior leadership team.
Foodservice equipment manufacturer Atosa USA made a series of personnel moves that will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Huddle House introduced restaurant industry veteran Brian Shortreed as brand president for the family dining chain. In this role, Shortreed will oversee company operations, the franchise system, marketing and culinary innovation.
Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies increased by 2.0% during the third quarter of 2023, per data from the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry. This was 1.5% less than what reps had forecast for the period, according to the MAFSI Business Barometer.
Multiline foodservice equipment manufacturer Middleby Corp. has made a few personnel updates. Mark Easterday will retire from his role as executive vice president of Middleby Brand Sales at the end of the year. Company veteran Christina Barker has been named vice president of marketing and digital sales for Middleby’s Commercial Foodservice Group and Mitch Cohen will expand his current role as group vice president to oversee Middleby brand sales.
Parts Town plans to open a 420,000-square-foot distribution center in Glendale, Ariz. The Illinois-based distributor of OEM foodservice equipment parts expects this location to be operational by late 2024.
EMC Hospitality, Greenwald Sales & Marketing and 4-Star reps update their personnel, while Mikasa Hospitality added to its rep network. In addition, Pecinka Ferri updates its café.
Cousins Subs promoted Hilary Krekling to vice president of operations.
