Technology

RB’s parent buys FSTEC

The parent company of Restaurant Business has acquired FSTEC, the food service industry’s premier technology conference and exhibition.

The seller, FSTEC co-founder and long-time chairman Rob Grimes, will remain involved with the annual event, working with David Jobe, president of the Leadership Conferences group of buyer CSP Business Media.

“FSTEC is an outstanding event,” said Jobe, whose other charges include the Restaurant Leadership Conference and FARE: A Foodservice Evolution. “We are excited to help develop this platform where industry leaders can meet face-to-face and build relationships that are vital for business growth. We are excited to bring all our knowledge, resources, assets and, most importantly, relationships to help grow this event.” 

“FSTEC chose to partner with CSP to build its future as they are the leading event organizer in the industry,” said Grimes. “This partnership will put FSTEC on a trajectory of inspired industry value and growth that cannot be achieved on our own. This is truly a partnership of the best the industry has to offer and we are thrilled to become a member of the CSP events family.”

CSP Business Media’s other events include the Outlook Leadership Conference and Convenience Retailing University, both of which serve executives of the c-store business, and MenuDirections, a culinary conference for the food service directors, executive chefs and nutritionists of non-commercial feeding operations.

In addition to Restaurant Business, the company publishes FoodService Director, CSP and Convenience Store Products magazines.

“The acquisition of FSTEC represents an important step in our growth strategy and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing customers with the information and tools they need to make smart and informed business decisions,” said Mike Wood, CEO of CSP Business Media. “FSTEC’s outstanding technology focused content and agenda will greatly complement our existing business platforms and allow us to offer a product suite that will be incredibly valuable to our customers.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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