The educational programs on tap at the National Restaurant Association Show next month in Chicago are not just targeted at operators and aspiring franchisees and chefs. NRA 2013 is May 18-21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.A number of sessions, notably four scheduled for May 19, are full of content that should interest dealers, consultants, reps and…

Chris Palmer and I will compile the numbers for this year’s FER Top Dealer Report this week. We want to first thank all those who reported and verified, especially those dealers who verified for the first time this year. We had a significant influx of new verifiers. Thanks again. And though I haven’t reviewed all…

We just returned from San Antonio, Texas, and FEDA’s 2013 Annual Convention. From the sight of FEDA and Wasserstrom Co. Pres. Brad Wasserstrom riding into the opening reception on a long-horn steer, to the savory taste of chicken waffles and braised short ribs served at the closing banquet, FEDA members , suppliers and hangers-on such…

It wasn’t quite business as usual as the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association celebrated its 80th anniversary during the group’s annual convention April 3-7 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in Texas. From FEDA and Wasserstrom Co. Pres. Brad Wasserstrom’s dramatic entrance on a longhorn steer at the opening reception to a heart-felt…

In a management transition announced last week, Manitowoc Co. Chairman/CEO Glen Tellock has taken the reins at the company’s Foodservice segment. He will lead it on an interim basis while the company searches for a successor for Michael Kachmerm who resigned in early April as president of Manitowoc Foodservice and as a company senior v.p.…

Alto-Shaam Inc. has promoted Adam Dixon to v.p.-national accounts. Dixon, a 20-year industry veteran, had been the Menomonee Falls, Wis., company’s v.p.-sales for the southwestern U.S. In his new post, he’ll oversee strategic development and tactical execution of targeted regional/national chain and multi-unit account growth.

Okay, so the original deadline was April Fool’s Day and at least some of you were busy getting ready for FEDA’s Annual Convention. Well, like us, you’re back at work. So if you haven’t already submitted your paperwork and data for Foodservice Equipment Reports’ annual “Top Dealer Report” survey, we’re giving you a few more…

We’re inching closer to the deadline for Foodservice Equipment Reports’ annual “Top Dealer Report” survey. Those responsible for submitting the data should have received the form several times via e-mail. If your form has gone missing, you can find a fresh one on our website at fermag.com/media-library/research. We do need it by the April 1deadline.…

For the first time in the 142-year history of The Homer Laughlin China Co., the mantle of leadership is being handed down, not to a successive generation, but from brother to sister. The privately held Newell, W.Va., company has announced executive v.p. Elizabeth McIlvain as its new president; she assumed the office March 18. As…

Market Forge has announced two key personnel appointments as part of a management restructuring. Jeff Leckel has been promoted from operations manager to interim president and CEO, replacing Dave Zappala who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Leckel, a 15-year veteran of the Everett, Mass., company, has been a senior level manager for…