Kevin Wilson was named director of engineering, research and development, and refrigeration for Polar King International, which manufactures walk-in refrigeration and freezer units.
Avanti Restaurant Solutions added Michael Jernigan as senior director of design-build for the California-based foodservice equipment dealer.
Alto-Shaam introduced Andre Frenette as the foodservice equipment manufacturer’s national service manager for Canada.
The ever-evolving virtual restaurant segment has a new entry with a limited-time-only virtual restaurant that connects with WWE’s WrestleMania 38 event in Dallas April 2-3.
Julian Wiles was named chief operating officer for the Perlick Corporation, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of bar-related equipment.
Salad-centric fast-casual chain sweetgreen will further its focus on technology-enabled processes when it opens its first “sweetlane” concept. Planned to open within the next year in Schaumburg, Ill, the pilot restaurant will push digital ordering to the forefront with a drive-thru lane designed to increase convenience for digital customers.
Parts Town has acquired Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, a national distributor of OEM repair parts for home items.
Torchy’s Tacos’ founder Mike Rypka has reclaimed the CEO reigns.
Smart Care Equipment Solutions was acquired by Zone Climate Services, a provider of commercial and industrial refrigeration and HVAC services to grocery stores, convenience stores and foodservice warehouse customers.
Foodservice Equipment & Supplies named Aba in Austin, Texas, the recipient of its 2022 Facility Design Project of the Year Award.
BradyIFS has expanded its presence in the Southeastern U.S. by acquiring Associated Paper, a distributor serving Atlanta, central Georgia and Alabama.
Krowne Metal Corporation made a couple of changes to its sales team that will take effect on April 1, 2022.
Paul Schlumpberger was introduced as a business unit manager for Gaylord Industries, part of the ITW Food Equipment Group. He replaces Sam Scull who retired after more than 11 years with Gaylord, including 4 years as business unit manager.
Steven Dunn was appointed vice president of sales for Imperial Range, a Middleby company. In this new role, Dunn assumes responsibility for leading all global sales activities for the Imperial brand.
Fast-casual chain Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opened its smallest footprint store to date in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Julia Heckman was named a sales coordinator for T&S Brass, a South Carolina-based manufacturer of plumbing fixtures and related products for the foodservice industry. Heckman previously served in a customer service role for T&S.
Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies increased 17.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year, per data from the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry Business Barometer. Sales performance for the quarter was only .6% less than what MAFSI members had originally projected.
Kevin Johnson will retire from his post as Starbucks president and CEO effective April 4, 2022. Former Starbucks CEO and founder Howard Schultz will serve as CEO until the Seattle-based coffee giant finds a replacement. Starbucks began working on a CEO succession plan in 2021 and anticipates having a new CEO in place by the fall of 2022, per a company release.
Scooter’s Coffee promoted Richard Heyman to chief strategy officer.
Mary Sauer was introduced as vision design coordinator for LTI, Inc., a manufacturer of modular and custom serving counters, fabrication and serving technologies.
