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Wendy’s/Arby’s Group is planning to focus on its burger business. The nation’s third-largest quick-service restaurant company said last week it was exploring strategic alternatives for the 3,700-unit Arby’s chain. A sale was not ruled out. The company added a few details at its Jan. 27 investors’ conference, stating that selling the Arby’s chain would help…

Our friend Peter Backman, principal at Horizons for Success, the London-based research firm, sent us his review of foodservice in the United Kingdom in 2010 and the outlook for 2011. Last year wasn’t easy for foodservice operators in the U.K. either, though the market improved from a dreadful ’09. Backman mentioned the negative impact of…

McDonald’s is laying out some big plans for China and Korea to compete with chains both American and homegrown. In China, McDonald’s plans to raise capital spending by 40% over 2010 levels. It will build as many as 200 new stores across the country, more than in any previous year, and swap out the old…

The NPD Group said the number of U.S. restaurants fell 5,551 in net terms, or less than 1%, for the year ending September 30, 2010, as the foodservice recession continued to impact operators, especially independents. The Port Washington, N.Y.-based research firm also reported that restaurant traffic fell 1% for the year ending November. NPD’s highly…

The NAFEM Show is less than three weeks away. You should have your boarding pass, hotel reservation, show badge, and schedule of must-see events, high-priority booth appointments and don’t-miss seminars. On Feb. 11, the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association will host a lunchbox seminar, “Selling is Relationship Management.” The how-to program, led by Tom Reilly and sponsored…

Nemco Food Equipment has acquired the Fresh-O-Matic countertop steamer line from Manitowoc Foodservice. The acquisition of the half-century-old product line is effective immediately. Nemco, a maker of countertop warming equipment, will be fulfilling all Fresh-O-Matic orders from its factory in Hicksville, Ohio. Nemco will feature its new product line under the official name, Fresh-O-Matic by…

Gordon F. Oates Sr., an industry leader and a 38-year veteran of Vulcan-Hart Corp., died Jan. 16. He was 86. Oates’ career in the foodservice equipment industry was dedicated to Vulcan-Hart. He joined the manufacturer in October 1955 as sales manager and served as its president from ’78 until his retirement in October ’88. He…