Mercer Culinary tapped Carrie McDonald to serve as director of national accounts.
Richard “Rick” Caron, executive vice president and chief innovation officer for Welbilt, passed away following a brief, non-COVID-19 related illness. He was 65 years old.
James “Jim” DeLuca, an account representative for TriMark, passed away Aug. 30, 2021. DeLuca was 72 years old and spent more than 30 years in the foodservice industry.
Foodservice equipment and supplies dealer Bargreen Ellingson opened a showroom and warehouse in Bozeman, Mont.
Veteran foodservice designer Marisa Mangani has joined Florida-based TBCI Design as vice president of special projects.
RATIONAL AG promoted Simon Lohse to executive vice president of North America from managing director of RATIONAL United Kingdom. In his new role, Lohse serves as president of RATIONAL USA. His responsibilities include overseeing strategic positioning and business operations for the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Andrew Cathy will become CEO of Chick-fil-A effective Nov. 1, 2021. He will succeed his father, Dan Cathy, who has served as CEO since 2013. Following the CEO transition, Dan Cathy will remain chairman of the board.
Cal-Mil promoted Mary Dunn to director of marketing from regional sales director for the company’s eastern territory, a position she held since joining the company in 2019.
Polar Leasing Company hired David Kelty to serve as an inside sales representative.
Overcoming significant supply chain challenges and other factors, sales of foodservice equipment and supplies increased 19.1% in the second quarter of 2021, beating projections by 3%, per the Business Barometer published by the Manufacturers Agents’ Association for the Foodservice Industry. Looking ahead, MAFSI members project a 20.7% sales increase for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe promoted Richard Key to chief operating officer from sr. vice president of operations.
Pink Taco turned to Stephan Schneider, an industry veteran with international experience, to serve as chief operating officer for the Mexican restaurant chain.
Katie Cox was appointed vice president of business development for The Middleby Corporation, an Elgin, Ill.-based foodservice equipment manufacturer. In this role, Cox assumes responsibility for large Middleby chain accounts while also working on new business development. Cox will be based in the Dallas area but her customers will span the U.S.
Hoshizaki America appointed Stephanie Wall to vice president regional sales, responsible for sales of Hoshizaki products in the USA and Canada.
Antoinette “Toni” Watkins, MS, RDN, is the recipient of the 2021 Gold Plate Award presented by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. Watkins is system director of Food & Nutrition Services at Riverside Health System.
IHOP hired Jacob Barden to serve as vice president of development and Michael Kaufman to serve as vice president of strategy and business analytics.
The National Restaurant Association named John Zimmermann, vice president of quality assurance and food safety at First Watch Restaurants, as the 2021 Outstanding Food Safety Leader.
Multiconcept operator FAT Brands continued its spending spree by agreeing to acquire Twin Peaks, a polished casual, sports-oriented chain, from investment firm Garnett Station Partners.
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery was acquired by The Derbyshire Group. Smallcakes opened its doors in 2008 in Overland Park, Kan., and has since grown to more than 180 locations across the United States.
Wood Stone Corporation tapped Paul Humphreys to serve as vice president of innovation and strategic marketing for the Bellingham, Wash.-based manufacturer of stone hearth and specialty cooking equipment.
