The Middleby Corporation announced the acquisition of Josper S.A., a leading manufacturer of charcoal grill and oven cooking equipment for commercial foodservice and residential applications. Based in Pineda de Mar, Spain, near Barcelona, Josper has approximately $20 million USD in annual revenues. “Josper is a recognized leader in the specialty charcoal cooking category. Charcoal cooking… read more
New York City restaurants and other businesses with 15 or more employees would be required to conduct annual anti-sexual harassment training for all workers, including supervisors and managers, in a bill that is awaiting Mayor Bill De Blasio’s signature. The “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act,” a package of 11 bills aimed at addressing workplace… read more
Restaurateurs always look to enhance guests’ dining experiences and boost sales. Here, service expert Bob Brown, a speaker at our Restaurant Revenue Growth Conference, offers six tips on turning servers into service stars and increasing customer engagement: Know the products you’re selling. This is the foundation for increased sales and engagement. Many restaurants don’t provide servers… read more
The concerns over the recent U.S. outbreak of E. coli involving romaine lettuce may last no more than a few weeks, as the area of Arizona where the offending produce is believed to have come from is now out of production and California farms are taking over. Federal officials are still trying to trace the… read more
José Andrés is moving full steam ahead with his plan to change the world, and his latest restaurant project is evidence that he may start focusing on the environment: The chef recently announced the debut of his all-new restaurant on Paradise Island in the Bahamas called Fish by José Andrés, and the menu will highlight “sustainable… read more
The Kolache Factory, a quick-service bakery concept, has promoted Dawn Nielsen to chief operating officer, the company said. Nielsen, daughter of Kolache Factory founders John and Jerri Banks, most recently served as a vice president at the Katy, Texas-based company, which has 58 locations in eight states. “I am so proud of what my parents… read more
Zaxby’s Franchising LLC has named industry veteran Joel Bulger to the new position of chief marketing officer, the company announced. The Athens, Ga.-based chicken brand said Bulger, who most recently served as CMO at Lake Forest, Calif.-based Johnny Rockets Group Inc., will lead marketing, digital and social platforms and other advertising and partnerships. “We took… read more
Joe Smith has been promoted to chief financial officer of Papa John’s International, Inc. Mr. Smith most recently was senior vice-president of global sales and development for the pizza chain. Mr. Smith joined Papa John’s in 2000 as senior director of corporate budgeting and finance. He was promoted to vice-president of corporate finance in 2005,… read more
Chas Hermann has been named chief brand officer of Noodles & Co., a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in globally-inspired, pasta-based dishes. In his new role, Mr. Hermann will develop and execute the company’s marketing, menu and culinary strategy. Mr. Hermann was most recently principal at Chas Hermann Consulting, where he partnered with the leadership… read more
Dinova, Inc., the only innovative proprietary marketplace exclusively focused on connecting business diners to restaurants nationwide, announced that CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc. has joined its business dining marketplace. CraftWorks is the nation’s leading operator of brewery and craft beer-focused casual dining restaurants. Their brands include Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery,… read more