The Middleby Corporation announced the acquisition of QualServ Solutions, LLC, a global commercial kitchen design, manufacturing, engineering, project management and equipment solutions provider. QualServ, based in Fort Smith, Ark., has annual revenues of $100 million. “QualServ is a respected industry leader providing a unique set of services and equipment solutions for the commercial foodservice equipment… read more
David W. Andow Named President of System Concepts, Inc., Developer of the FOOD-TRAK® Food & Beverage Management System System Concepts, Inc., leading provider of food and beverage procurement, inventory, and culinary control software solutions, announced the appointment of David W. Andow to the new position of company President. SCI’s FOOD-TRAK® cloud-based and in-house applications are… read more
McDonald’s Strikes Major Tech Deal with Capgemini McDonald’s has struck a partnership with Capgemini to accelerate the digital overhaul of its restaurants, which has big Chicago employment implications inside and outside the company. About 100 McDonald’s tech workers will become Capgemini employees, and the Paris-based outsourcing and consulting company plans a major Chicago expansion that… read more
Rotunda Capital Acquires IF&P Foods Rotunda Capital Partners, LLC, a lower middle-market private equity firm, has acquired IF&P Foods, LLC. The acquisition will accelerate the growth trajectory of one of the leading produce distributors in the Midwest. IF&P was formed in 1997 through the merger of Indianapolis Fruit (founded 1947) and Piazza Produce (founded 1970),… read more
Chicago Was Too Tough for These Burger Chains There is, apparently, such a thing as too many burgers. Only a few years after a horde of hamburger chains move to Chicago, some are already closing. Others are nixing expansion plans and watching sales slip, slammed by a glut of competition and an industry-wide slowdown as… read more
Employee Hygiene and Handwashing in Retail Foodservice Establishments In addition to the risk of environmental contamination from Listeria monocytogenes, product temperature abuse, compromised food contact surfaces and unwanted allergen transfers or mislabeled food, one of my biggest fears that keeps me up at night is the daunting task of controlling, educating and monitoring the personal hygiene… read more
Millennials Impact Trends in Foodservice Packaging Industry The 2016 trends report from the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) reveals key industry shifts that focus on industry changes being driven by the generational influence of Millennials. “Each year our trends report searches for common threads found throughout the entire foodservice packaging value chain. This year more than ever,… read more
Food Safety, Protection & Regulatory Compliance This in-depth program will provide you with critical Canadian and American regulatory information and proven strategies to help you manage your safety and regulatory challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to get regulatory updates from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, hear fresh perspectives on the latest opportunities in today’s food… read more
Restaurant Ventilation: Best Practices Having proper ventilation for your restaurant is imperative for employee and customer health as well as food sanitation. Improper ventilation can result in safety violations, higher utility bills, decreased employee productivity, and even flaring tempers from customers as well as employees. It can also result in loss of traffic due to unpleasant… read more