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Among the many handshake deals and contract signings, educational seminars, food tastings, networking and “swag” collecting that kept exhibitors and attendees busy at last week’s NRA Show, was the announcement of winners in the association’s second annual Operator Innovations Awards. Kennesaw State University took home top honors with the Innovator of the Year award. Selected…

Huddle House kitchens are still plating burgers and waffles, but refreshed dining rooms and exteriors are bringing in new business for the 400-unit, family-dining chain. The redesigned stores, sporting a more modern look and increased seating, have seen sales rise by at least 15%. The Decatur, Ga., chain says 10% of franchisees have converted to…

Tossed, the fast-casual soup and salad chain, has signed its first international expansion deal. The 30-unit master development agreement with Al Sayegh Brothers Trading Co., a multi-national conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates, includes future stores in the Middle East and North Africa. The Al Sayegh team, which plans to feature the company’s new…

Manitowoc Foodservice has appointed Chris Karssiens to the role of executive vice president-Foodservice Asia Pacific (APAC). In his new post, effective immediately, Karssiens is responsible for fulfilling the New Port Richey, Fla., company’s APAC strategy and annual business plans, and overseeing its operations in China (Foshan and Hangzhou) and Singapore, as well as its joint-venture…

The first Wendy’s outlet in Georgia to open under a year-old agreement made its debut in the country’s capital last month. The U.S. ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland, was in a crowd of hundreds of Georgians who flocked to the Sept. 12 grand opening in Tbilisi. Wendy’s Georgia franchisee, The Wissol Group, plans to open…

After two years of solid growth and a revamped restaurant design, business is good at Captain D’s Seafood Restaurants. Now the Nashville, Tenn., chain soon will have new ownership. Boca Raton, Fla.-based private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners recently announced an agreement to sell Captain D’s to New York-based Centre Partners. Terms of the deal were…

McDonald’s Corp. is putting down corporate roots in the eastern region of China. The Oak Brook, Ill., company has located its Anhui headquarters in Baohe district, Hefei. Currently, McDonald’s has 27 units in Anhui. During the next five years, the chain plans to open more than 120 new restaurants in the province, with a goal…