Foodservice Equipment & Supplies News

• EPA Recognizes a Trio of Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers
  
  By The Editors, March 3, 2010
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented Continental Refrigerator with a 2010 Energy Star Promotion Award, ITW Food Equipment Group-North America with a 2010 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award and named Manitowoc Foodservice as a 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year.
  
• FE&S Names 2010 Top Achiever Award Recipients
  
  By The Editors, March 3, 2010
  Foodservice Equipment and Supplies is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2010 Top Achiever Awards. This is the 12th time FE&S has presented these awards to individuals from the dealer, consultant, service agent and manufacturers' rep segments of the foodservice industry. FE&S will present these awards during the magazine's annual Dealer of the Year & Industry Awards Gala on May 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.
  
• Scotsman Issues Voluntary Recall of Commercial Ice Cube Machines
  
  By The Editors, February 26, 2010
  Working in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), Scotsman has issued a voluntary recall of its commercial modular cube ice machines due to a potential fire hazard. According to a release issued by USCPSC, the recall affects roughly 43,000 units sold from Sept. 2006 through Dec. 2009.
  
• Foodservice Professionals on the Move
  
  Amelia Levin, February 24, 2010
  Scott Barnett, founding president and CEO of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurants, Inc. has announced his resignation. Daily operations will be transitioned over the coming weeks to company vice presidents Tim Busald and Gail Taggart.
  
• FE&S Fields 2010 Distribution Giants Study
  
  Amelia Levin, February 24, 2010
  One of the E&S industry's most anticipated and respected pieces of research, FE&S' annual Distribution Giants study provides benchmark performance updates on the dealer community's biggest and brightest stars.
  
• C&T Design Named 2010 Dealer of the Year
  
  By The Editors, February 24, 2010
  Foodservice Equipment and Supplies proudly names Indianapolis-based C&T Design is 29th Dealer of the Year. C&T will accept what many consider to be the most prestigious award in foodservice distribution during FE&S' annual Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala, which will take place May 22 at the Chicago Four Seasons Hotel.
  
• Jannini Named New Cheesecake Factory President
  
  February 17, 2010
  The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated named former Marriott executive Michael Jannini its new president. The company also promoted David Gordon to the position of chief operating officer from senior vice president of operations.
  
• NRA Announces 2010 Kitchen Innovations Award Recipients
  
  February 10, 2010
  The National Restaurant Association released the winners of its annual Kitchen Innovations Award. A total of 18 products were selected from companies such as Activeion Cleaning Solutions, Alto-Shaam, Champion Industries, Ecolab, Henny Penny, Hobart, Irinox USA, Manitowoc Foodservice (Beverage Systems, Merrychef and Multiplex), Middleby (Marshall and Southbend), Oliver Packaging & Equipment Company, Perfect Fry Company and Vegawatt.
  
• Restaurant Chain Updates
  
  February 10, 2010
  Among the restaurant chains reporting expansion or financial news are Burger King, The Cheesecake Factory, Dunkin' Donuts, Hurricane Grill and Wings, La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill, McCormick & Schmick's and O'Charley's .
  
• Foodservice Professionals on the Move
  
  February 9, 2010
  Manitowoc, TGI Friday's and T&S Brass announce management changes. 
  
• Orlando Joins T&S Brass as Business Development Manager
  
  February 9, 2010
  T&S Brass, a manufacturer of reliable plumbing and foodservice equipment, announced the addition of Mike Orlando as business development manager.
  
• PMR Merges with Southern Manufacturers Reps and Culinary Equipment Solutions
  
  February 5, 2010
  PMR, a manufacturers’ rep firm in Norcross, Ga., has incorporated two other firms under its corporate umbrella: Southern Manufacturers Reps and Culinary Equipment Solutions. Mike Whitten, the owner of Southern Manufacturers Reps will become a partner of PMR. CES’ Jason Jones and Stuart Olivier and Lisa Wasmund are now part of PMR.
  
• Pollo Campero Announces First Combined Restaurant Concept to Open at Disney
  
  February 4, 2010
  -Pollo Campero, an international Latin chicken quick-service restaurant chain, has partnered with franchisee Levy Campero to deliver a new restaurant concept in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort. The restaurant will feature Pollo Campero’s signature Latin chicken, as well as a new restaurant concept featuring fresh, healthy food.
  
• Foodservice Professionals on the Move
  
  February 3, 2010
  Restaurant chains Morton’s, SONIC and Wendy’s/Arby’s announce management news.
  
• Convenience Offerings Popular in Today’s Economy, Mintel Reports
  
  February 3, 2010
  Restaurants and foodservice establishments serving convenience are poised to do well in the post-recession economy, according to a report released by foodservice research firm Mintel. Although value has become the mantra of many contemporary diners, convenience still resonates with the out-to-eat crowd, specifically those less than 34 years old, the report said.
  
• Morton's Restaurant Group Names Artinian its President and CEO
  
  February 2, 2010
  Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE:MRT) appointed Christopher Artinian its president and chief executive officer. He replaces Thomas Baldwin, who resigned Company's board of directors. Artinian previously served as Morton’s vice president of eastern pperations, and has been with the company since 1995.
  
• December Restaurant Performance Rose to Highest in Two Years
  
  January 29, 2010
  The National Restaurant Association’s comprehensive index of restaurant activity rose to its highest level in 22 months in December.  
  
• Wendy's/Arby's Group Announces Leadership Change at Arby's
  
  January 29, 2010
  Quick-service restaurant company Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. announced that Tom Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is leaving the company. During the search for Garrett’s replacement, Roland Smith, president and CEO of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, will assume the interim role as president of Arby’s, effective immediately.
  
• Specifying Techniques to Prevent Value Engineering
  
  By Amelia Levin, Sr. Associate Editor, January 28, 2010
  Value engineering is a term that both design and MAS consultants either fear or shun. But for designers who specify foodservice equipment, value engineering represents an unfortunate reality, and one they may have faced to a greater extent in the last couple of years because of a damaged economy that has resulted in tighter than normal budgets.
  
• Product Showcase: Combi-Ovens
  
  January 28, 2010
  Combi-ovens use convection, steam and a combination of the two. This versatility allows users to control the moisture level of foods being cooked, while also substituting for multiple pieces of equipment.