Welbilt agrees to be acquired by Ali Group, after cash bid was deemed ‘superior’ to Middleby’s all-stock bid

Welbilt Inc. WBT, 0.13% announced Wednesday an agreement to be acquired by Ali Group S.r.l. in a cash deal that values the foodservice equipment company at about $3.40 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Italy-based Ali Group will pay $24 for each Welbilt share outstanding. Welbilt had about 141.92 million shares outstanding as of…

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Where the Restaurant Recovery Goes from Here

A bipartisan group in Congress continues to chase $60 billion in further restaurant aid. A dozen senators and 150 House members sponsored legislation this week to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which has faced its share of heat in recent days. The grant program rescinded nearly 3,000 minority- and women-owned applications due to a federal…

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Congress introduces a $60 billion replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Congress unveiled new legislation — the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021 — to replenish the depleted first round of restaurant relief. Congress introduced legislation to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund with a $60 billion second round of restaurant relief after the U.S. Small Business Administration received requests for more than triple the allocated…

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The ‘Next Steps’ Guide Shows Operators what they Should do if they Receive a Grant, besides Spend it Wisely

The National Restaurant Association has released a guide for restaurants and bars that applied for the Restaurant Revitalization fund, which opened on May 3, including records to maintain and keep track of and learning how to address new funds in tax filings. Keep a copy of all submitted records, including the application itself Keep all…

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Italy’s Ali Group makes $3.3B cash bid for US rival Welbilt

Italian foodservice equipment maker Ali Group has made a $3.3 billion cash offer for U.S. rival Welbilt, a source close to the matter said on Friday, surpassing an offer made for the company last month. The source added that Ali Group is offering $23 for each Welbilt share. The news was first reported by the…

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Spaceman USA to Acquire Food Equipment IOT Tech Startup BDE Innovation.

Forte Supply LLC, the Parent company of Spaceman USA and BDE Innovation has entered into a definitive agreement under which Spaceman USA will acquire BDE Innovation, enhancing the Spaceman USA equipment platform with a portfolio of IoT and dispensing technologies.  This transaction brings technology enhancements as well as Marcus Buscemi Jr., CEO of BDE Innovation…

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Equipment Giant Middleby to Buy Welbilt for 2.9B

Foodservice equipment manufacturer Middleby Corp. is acquiring smaller competitor Welbilt for $2.9 billion, adding to its wide array of equipment and technology for commercial kitchens. The deal will combine the companies’ “distinct but complementary portfolios” and help expand Middleby’s global footprint, the companies said in a statement. It also advances Middleby’s investments in newer technologies…

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Automation Can Offer Cost, Time and Labor Savings

Incorporating automated and robotic systems into meat and poultry processing operations is a growing trend in the industry, but that doesn’t mean every plant should necessarily make the switch. There are a number of things to be considered when automating operations, many of which were shared during the North American Meat Institute’s virtual Meat Industry…

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