Yes, it’s time. After years of hosting our popular biennial Multiunit Foodservice Equipment Symposium for commercial chain operators, we’re launching a modified version next year for noncommercial operators across all segments. MUFES/NCO will be held June 13-15 at the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas. Much like the original MUFES, this noncommercial version will focus…

The National Restaurant Association has created a new alliance with one of the country’s largest healthcare companies to provide easier access to coverage and related products and services for its membership. In partnership with United Healthcare, the NRA is launching the Restaurant Health Care Alliance to provide restaurant owners and employees easier access to cost-effective,…

McDonald’s plans to open 100 more restaurants in South Africa and 120 in India over the next five years as the company seeks out further growth in emerging markets, according to recent interviews with two of the company’s top executives. Tim Fenton, president of the chain’s Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions, told Bloomberg News…

Vita-Mix Corp. has received the prestigious President’s E Award for Exports in recognition of the company’s achievements in U.S. export growth. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke presented the award to Vitamix President Jodi Berg May 13 during a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Berg also was with a lapel pin and a white pennant…

Piedmont Natural Gas, Charlotte, N.C.,  recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated and expanded John H. Maxheim Natural Gas Technology Center at 4301 Yancey Road in Charlotte last night. With 4,700 sq. ft. of meeting, demonstration and work space that accommodates up to 90 people, the facility features two commercial kitchens, large prep and…

Foodservice excellence in both Air Force and Marine Corps operations was honored in May during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. The third annual Joint Armed Services Breakfast, hosted by the NRA’s Educational Foundation, toasted the winners of the U.S. Air Force’s John L. Hennessy and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Major Gen. W.P.T. Hill…

Tomlinson Industries, based in Cleveland, has announced it has purchased the assets of Fusion Commercial LLC of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Fusion Commercial products include countertop pizza ovens, snack ovens and merchandisers, popcorn poppers and carts, and warmers, heat lamps, and buffet servers. “Fusion products fit well into Tomlinson’s range of commercial foodservice equipment and supply items,”…

Energy Star has been in flux lately, and the foodservice industry needs to watch closely. Already new procedures are causing concern. As first covered in our May issue, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have begun revamping the Energy Star program. Execution of the new plan, which traces to a Memorandum of Understanding…

Quiznos has announced plans to develop as many as 600 new stores nationwide by the end of the year. The mix will include more corporate and joint-venture efforts than in the past, the traditionally franchise-focused chain said. The 4,000-unit Denver chain reported new locations will include “both corporate-owned stores as well as Quiznos-funded joint-venture ownership…

New owners for Dave & Buster’s: The Dallas chain’s private-equity parent, Wellspring Capital Management LLC, has agreed to sell the 56-unit chain to Oak Hill Capital Partners for $570 million. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be finalized by the second quarter of the year. Dave & Buster’s specializes in dining and…