Panera, Toppers Pizza, FAT Brands and Famous Toastery announce series of leadership changes.
Iced tea chain HTeaO hired coffee veteran Heath Nielsen to serve as its president.
Multiconcept operator FAT Brands tapped Allison Lauenstein and David Pear to serve as brand presidents.
Keith Kidwell will assume the role of executive director for the International Foodservice Equipment Distributors, effective January 2024. Kidwell will replace Mike McNeel, who will retire after 11 years leading the foodservice equipment buying group.
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 presented Arizona Restaurant Supply with its Member of the Year Award and Vulcan with its Supplier of the Year Award.
John Metz, the founder of Metz Culinary Management, passed away on May 8, 2023. He was 83 years old.
Famous Toastery hired Rob Sterioti to serve as vice president of operations for the 25-unit better brunch franchise.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill named Angelo Freites vice president of operations for the fast-casual chain.
Oswalt Restaurant Supply added Pam Corbell to its team. Corbell will serve as a project manager for the Oklahoma-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealer.
Marra Forni hired Robert Bratton to serve as its regional sales manager for the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada.
Shikin Amain Turner joined Webb Foodservice Design as design director for the Anaheim, Calif.-based foodservice consulting firm.
Casual dining chain Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe hired Philip Parsons to serve as CEO. Parsons replaces Jeff Powell as Razzoo’s CEO. Powel, who co-founded the chain, will now serve as chairman of the board for Razzoo’s.
As part of a planned transition, Polly’s Pies promoted Eric Stenta to CEO and president. He takes over for James Kaa, who is stepping down to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests, per a company release.
Denny’s appointed restaurant industry veteran Alex Williams to serve as its sr. vice president, chief operating officer (COO).
Commercial cooking equipment manufacturer Henny Penny named Brian Silverberg company president.
High school teams from Plymouth Canton Educational Park in Canton, Mich., and Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Conn., were the winners of the Culinary Competition and the Management Competition at the 2023 National ProStart Invitational.
TriMark USA named John Tulaney director of private label equipment. In this role Tulaney’s primary focus is the dealer’s Kintera brand.
Wood Stone Corporation appointed Todd Breiner to serve as vice president of global sales for the Bellingham, Wash.-based commercial cooking equipment manufacturer.
Truluck’s hired Thomas Dritsas to serve as its corporate executive chef. In this role, Dritsas will work side by side with the chain’s chefs to oversee Truluck’s culinary teams while creating dishes that will help its menu continues to evolve.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Denny’s and Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe update their leadership teams. While multiconcept operator Darden Restaurants plans to acquire Ruth's Hospitality Group, parent company for Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
