Foodservice Equipment Distributors Assoc.

Federal Court Issues Nationwide Injunction on Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements A federal court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction that will prevent the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) from going into effect nationwide. The 2021 law requires businesses with fewer than 20 employees to disclose beneficial owners’ information to the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The law’s stated aim is to combat money laundering and corruption, but business advocacy groups have criticized it for effectively requiring 32 million entities to report their owners’ private information, with no notion that any of those businesses are actually engaged in illegal activity. https://ow.ly/NUtu50Upv1V

Hoshizaki America, a FEDA manufacturer member that produces commercial ice and refrigeration equipment, has promoted Sean Evans to regional sales director for the south-central region. With nearly four years of exemplary service at Hoshizaki and over 15 years of experience in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry, Evans brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role, the company said. He joined the industry while serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he first gained experience in refrigeration. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management from Southwestern College and joined Hoshizaki in 2021 as an area sales manager for the south-central region. Over the past three years, he has played a key role in driving the team’s high performance and delivering exceptional results, the company said in a press release. “Sean’s dedication to excellence, combined with his extensive industry experience, makes him the ideal leader for our south-central sales team,” said Scott Meyer, vice president of regional sales at Hoshizaki America. “We are excited to see him thrive in this new role as we grow together.” https://ow.ly/mpRc50Upk29

RATIONAL AG USA, a FEDA manufacturer member that specializes in intelligent cooking, has promoted Mariana Urti to sales director for the Southeast region. Urti has been working for RATIONAL Mexico since 2018, first as sales director and then as vice president of sales. In that time, the company said she strengthened partnerships within the dealer community, grew both the street and key accounts businesses and achieved sustainable double-digit growth. Before joining RATIONAL, Urti led sales operations in the information technology, foodservice and hotel industries. She has a degree in economics from Universidad de la República (Uruguay) and a diploma in cultural management. “Mariana’s exceptional sales leadership skills, coupled with her remarkable ability to cultivate strong relationships and achieve outstanding results make her an invaluable asset to our team,” Vice President of Street Sales Ryan Elsen said. https://ow.ly/9Cml50UoBsQ

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Former Vollrath president and CEO Tom Belot passed away on Nov. 23 at the age of 74. His vision, leadership and unwavering dedication leave a lasting legacy for the manufacturer, community and industry he profoundly influenced, the company said. Belot joined Vollrath in 1978 as director of management systems and rose to lead the company, retiring as president and CEO in 2009. Throughout his tenure, Belot steered Vollrath through significant challenges, championing investments in automation and technology that solidified the company’s position for the future. “Tom Belot was a visionary leader who deeply cared about Vollrath and its people,” said Erik Lampe, current president and CEO. “His contributions to our company and community have left an indelible mark, and his legacy will continue to guide us as we look to the future. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.” Beyond his professional achievements, Belot was active in his community. He was instrumental in creating a Business Healthcare Coalition in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, that helped negotiate healthcare costs, impacting more than 25 percent of the local population. He also held leadership roles in numerous non-profit organizations. Belot was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cherished family gatherings, boating and celebrating holidays with his loved ones. His humility, selflessness and dedication to family and community were hallmarks of his character, Vollrath said. https://ow.ly/8a7e50Unv1l

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Restaurants Note Impact of Extreme Weather Events Since September 2023, an average of 15.6 percent of eating and drinking businesses have experienced monetary losses linked to extreme weather over any given six-month period, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hurricanes Helene and Milton were among those with the most noticeable effects, as nearly 19 percent of eating and drinking places reported a monetary loss in the weeks after the storms made landfall. https://ow.ly/AX0n50UkcYc

Zepole Restaurant Supply Co., a FEDA distributor member, announced the acquisition of Fein Brothers, a well-respected 95-year-old foodservice equipment and supplies dealer based out of Milwaukee. The move is expected to not only enhance Zepole’s position in the Midwest as a market leader in the foodservice industry but also preserve and continue the Fein Brothers legacy, the companies said in a press release. Fein Brothers, another FEDA member, has built a strong reputation for customer service delivering high-quality foodservice equipment and supplies to restaurants, bars and institutions in the Greater Milwaukee Area. The company was founded in 1929 by Sam Fein and remained in the family until it was sold in 2009 to cousins Todd and Ben Minkin, both Fein Brothers employees. “We are thrilled to welcome Fein Brothers into the Zepole family,” said Gary Thiakos, owner and president of Zepole Supply. “This acquisition aligns with our strategic vision to expand our offerings in the Midwest, and to continue to provide top-level service from a family-owned, people-first organization. I could not have seen a better outcome than with Todd and Ben, who I have the highest respect for.” Fein Brothers will continue to operate under its own brand within the Zepole organization, ensuring a seamless transition for current clients and employees. The leadership team at Fein Brothers will remain in place to provide continuity and stability as both companies integrate their operations. “We believe that joining forces with Zepole will create exciting new opportunities for our employees and clients,” said Todd Minkin, president of Fein Brothers. “Together, we will be able to offer a more comprehensive set of solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses today. We look forward to this new chapter and to driving success together.” https://ow.ly/2EZj50UgWZG

TurboChef Technologies, Inc., a Middleby brand that offers rapid cooking equipment, has hired Arturo Marchand as its new regional vice president for the Northeast. Marchand has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate chef and salesperson. Most recently, he was a partner at Griffin Marketing Group, a manufacturers’ rep for North and South Carolina. He has also been a foodservice director at Southern Foodservice Management and an executive chef for ARAMARK. Outside of the foodservice industry, Marchand is a technical diving instructor. “Arturo brings the perfect mix of culinary expertise and growth mindedness to our team,” TurboChef wrote in a social media post announcing the hire. https://ow.ly/sN4a50Uggyx

Parts Town Unlimited, the parent company of Parts Town, a FEDA business services member focused on the distribution of OEM foodservice equipment parts, has updated its leadership team with the addition of Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Chris Dacey. “We’ve known Chris for many years and he’s been deeply involved in our business as operating partner at Berkshire Partners, which has been our lead private equity sponsor since 2016,” CEO Steve Snower said. “His knowledge of our business at Parts Town Unlimited, paired with his strategy, operations and financial experience, will help us continue to strengthen our strategic planning and execution to further accelerate growth and innovation. After partnering closely with Chris for the past six years during his time at Berkshire, it was natural to have him join us officially. Chris has worked successfully with our team on strategic planning, acquisitions and major projects over the past several years. Having him full-time as part of our team will be awesome.” Dacey has more than 30 years of business strategy and operational expertise. His previous positions include 13 years as an operating partner at Berkshire Partners, chief strategy officer with the Houston Rockets and leadership roles at both The Parthenon Group and KPMG. At Parts Town Unlimited, Dacey will lead strategic planning, operations, information technology and the project management office for the group. “I am excited to join such a terrific company and team that I’ve had the pleasure of working with on a number of strategic priorities over the past six years,” Dacey said. “We look forward to continuing to put innovation and operational excellence at the forefront to create clear value for our customers, manufacturer partners and team members.” https://ow.ly/O2Nv50UfUA5