Electrolux Professional to Acquire Unified Brands Electrolux Professional has entered into an agreement to acquire Unified Brands Inc and related assets, a leading US-based manufacturer of foodservice equipment. The acquisition will significantly strengthen Electrolux Professional’s presence in the US and supports Electrolux Professional’s focus on growth with the foodservice chains. Electrolux Professional will acquire Unified… read more
Global Foodservice News
Pentair Acquires Beverage Equipment Firm Ken’s Beverage Inc. for $80m
Headquartered in Montgomery, Illinois, KBI has provided beverage equipment such as fountain dispensers, brewers, and water filters to commercial customers for over 35 years. The company also specializes in equipment services such as installation and preventive maintenance. KBI has over 30 branches and over 300 trained technicians across the US, with offices located in Michigan,… read more
Famous Dave’s Parent Won’t Revive Newly Acquired Buffet Chains
BBQ Holdings bought a handful of buffet brands this week, but what it really wanted was steak. The parent of Famous Dave’s on Tuesday won a bankruptcy auction for Fresh Acquisitions which owns the five-unit Tahoe Joe’s steakhouse chain as well as the intellectual property for several defunct buffet chains, including Old Country Buffet, HomeTown… read more
Los Angeles Moves Forward with a Vaccine Mandate for Restaurant Guests
Amid considerable controversy, Los Angeles’ City Council voted Wednesday to limit restaurant access to patrons who can prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. Mayor Eric Garcetti indicated last week that he favors the mandate, all but ensuring that the nation’s second-most populous city and standout restaurant market will enact the safety protocol. It would take… read more
Restaurants Have Faced Supply Chain Shortages for More than a Year
US restaurants are in the midst of an ingredient shortage. Seventy-five percent of restaurants were forced to change menu items due to supply chain issues, according to a recent National Restaurant Association survey. The association polled 4,000 US restaurants between Sept. 7 and Sept. 15. David Nayfeld, the chef and owner of Che Fico in San Francisco,… read more
Friendly’s Triggers Turnaround with Constant Innovation
Around this time last year, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Friendly’s to the edge. After losing money and repeatedly borrowing under its credit facilities, the 86-year-old concept declared bankruptcy in November despite efforts to reduce cash burn and restore profitability. For $2 million, the roughly 130-unit chain was placed into the hands of Amici Partners Group,… read more
How Cinnabon is Expanding From the Food Court to the Front Porch
Focus Brands-owned Cinnabon doesn’t want to just be known as the snack you grab at the mall food court: they want you to pick up an order of cinnamon buns from your doorstep or down the street from a food truck. During the pandemic, Cinnabon has been working on spreading its wings, from introducing the… read more
Fifty/50 Group to Debut Restaurant at Chicago’s Willis Tower
EQ Office announced that Chicago’s Fifty/50 Group will debut the first full-service restaurant at Willis Tower. Kindling, a char-house-style culinary experience, will offer an urban oasis and convivial atmosphere in the heart of Downtown Chicago. Slated for 2022, Fifty/50 Group’s latest concept will occupy a two-story space and outdoor terrace at the corner of Franklin… read more
Deep-Dish Pizza Chain Lou Malnati’s Has a New Investor.
BDT Capital Partners, the Chicago investment firm that acquired a stake in the iconic pizza chain five years ago as it was beginning to expand out of state, sold its shares to Meritage Group for an undisclosed sum. Marc Malnati, who remains active in the pizza chain his father started 50 years ago, said he… read more
McDonald’s Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2050, From Meat to Energy
McDonald’s Corp. set a new target to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, from the beef in its burgers to the light bulbs in its restaurants. The burger chain also said it was working with the nonprofit Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to revamp its existing climate change targets. It aims to… read more