STRATFORD, Conn., Apr 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE)
To assist with its recent expansion into new domestic and international markets, commercial kitchen technology firm Kitchen Brains (formerly FAST) announced it has rehired former Vice President of Operations Reza Khani. Khani will serve as Senior Vice President of Operations, Supply Chain and Product/Manufacturing Engineering, responsible for the company's entire manufacturing, supply chain and operations.

"We recently expanded our efforts domestically and internationally to bring new markets and customers 'kitchens that think'," said Ben Koether, Chairman, Kitchen Brains. "Reza's new role will enable him to focus on growing our international customer support initiatives while increasing our investment in servicing domestic operations." During Khani's first tenure at FAST, he introduced Surface Mount Technology (SMT), subsequently launched three new SMT technology product families, spearheaded product transition to ROHS compliance, improved on-time deliveries to 99% through lean manufacturing, empowered the workforce and realigned overhead functions.

Prior to returning to Kitchen Brains, Khani spent four years at Petra Solar developing a manufacturing, quality, test, supply chain and operations infrastructure supporting rapid expansion in the US, Canada, Middle East and Asia. His accomplishments include building infrastructure and staff from ground up; exceeding budgeted gross margin; lowering working capital; developing a scalable, flexible in-house system integration, test and green reusable packaging system; reducing new product development cost and time-to-market; and spearheading installation of Microsoft Dynamics ERP System.

"As our customers continue to place increased emphasis on product quality and restaurant operational efficiencies, Kitchen Brains is poised for rapid expansion across the globe. I look forward to leveraging our combined expertise in both embedded process controls and software solutions to those restaurateurs on the cutting edge of store operations" says Khani.

About Kitchen Brains
Kitchen Brains (formerly SCK Direct, Inc.) is a pioneer and global leader in the development and deployment of integrated, end-to-end, wireless M2M networking solutions and SAAS applications for the commercial kitchen/food service industry. Kitchen Brains' technology connects all components of food preparation--refrigeration, cooking, rethermalization, baking, and holding--into a seamless environment managed and accessible, even remotely, from anywhere. Kitchen Brains streamlines equipment diagnostics, maintenance and service, while reducing operating costs and increasing sales.

STRATFORD, Conn. & LAKE FOREST, Calif.-- In an effort to continually improve kitchenoperations, Del Taco recently upgraded kitchen timers to Kitchen Brains’ TT-500.

“Del Taco needed a fast and easy way to regularly update timers to support their menu vision”

“Del Taco needed a fast and easy way to regularly update timers to support their menu vision,” says Raderer. “The TT-500 offers unlimited timing capacity as well as automated ‘store alerts’ for specific, predetermined events, and can be updated easily with a USB flashdrive.”

Raderer and Kitchen Brains’ engineers helped Del Taco uncover additional ways to maximize the timer’s use in the kitchen.

“The ability to update timers via USB port allows us to ensure that they are standardized across the brand,” says Stacy Marler, senior director of quality assurance and food safety at Del Taco. “Our training department has also benefitted. Because of the TT-500’s robust software capabilities, we are able to easily upload our build cards into the system, making it easy for employees to access a library of digitized build cards as a quick reference of each ingredient in a product build.”

“With the TT-500, the number of items you can time is unlimited, including multiple batches ofeach product,” says Marler. “Further, we now have the ability to program automatic alerts or reminders that target specific tasks within our restaurants. Whether it’s a reminder for our employees to wash their hands or filter the oil, the alerts help us manage our kitchens better.”

About Kitchen Brains

Kitchen Brains, driven by (FAST.)®, Networked by SCK, is a pioneer and global leader in the development and deployment of integrated, end-to-end, wireless M2M networking solutions and SAAS applications for the commercial kitchen/food service industry. Kitchen Brains’ technology connects all the components of food preparation--refrigeration, cooking, rethermalization, baking, and holding--into a seamless environment that is managed and accessible, even remotely, from anywhere. Kitchen Brains streamlines equipment diagnostics, maintenance and service, while reducing operating costs and increasing sales.

To learn more about Kitchen Brains, visit www.kitchenbrains.com or call Eric Raderer at 203-377-4414.

About Del Taco

At Del Taco, all menu items are made to order using fresh ingredients including freshly grated cheddar cheese, hand-made salsa, slow-cooked lard-free beans and marinated chicken grilled fresh every hour. The menu includes Mexican offerings of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos as well as American favorites like hamburgers, fries and milk shakes. Del Taco also serves breakfast and most restaurants are open 24 hours with a drive thru. Del Taco restaurants serve more than three million customers each week. Del Taco has more than 530 restaurants in 17 states. For more information, visit www.deltaco.com.

STRATFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kitchen Brains®, driven by FAST, announced today that Tracy Flynn has been appointed as Vice President of Global Sales and Services effective immediately.

“We are delighted to welcome Tracy Flynn to the Kitchen Brains® leadership team”

Mr. Flynn most recently served as Vice President and General Manager, Hospitality Solutions at Infor. He led the global hospitality team where he introduced Infor’s first SaaS based property management solution.

Prior to Infor-SoftBrands, Mr. Flynn spent over 20 years at NCR Corporation holding various leadership positions including marketing, product management, and sales. While serving as Vice President, Hospitality and Gaming at NCR, he was responsible for NCRs portfolio of products for domestic and global accounts based in the United States. This included hardware, software solutions, professional services, and customer services.

“We are delighted to welcome Tracy Flynn to the Kitchen Brains® leadership team,” said Ben Koether, Kitchen Brain’s Chairman. “His innovative sales and marketing vision combined with our industry leading technology solutions will strategically position Kitchen Brains® to build upon its recent global contract initiatives with Yum! Restaurants International and beyond.”

In past positions Mr. Flynn developed and launched new products in the retail, hospitality, and gaming markets. This included market leading point-of-sale solutions for the restaurant industry.

“Kitchen Brains®, driven by FAST, is a truly innovative solution that’s revamping the restaurant industry. The company’s Quality Production Management (QPM) SaaS solution promises to revolutionize commercial kitchen operations for the 21st Century. It streamlines processes and links appliance controls to provide the smart kitchen of the future. I am truly excited to be able to bring this product and other innovative Kitchen Brains® solutions such as HACCP, Set Point Management and Energy Management to restaurants worldwide,” said Flynn.

Mr. Flynn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from University of North Texas.

About Kitchen Brains®

Kitchen Brains®, driven by FAST, is a pioneer and global leader in the development and deployment of integrated, end-to-end, wireless M2M networking solutions and SAAS applications for the commercial kitchen/food service industry. Kitchen Brains’® technology connects all the components of food preparation--refrigeration, cooking, rethermalization, baking, and holding--into a seamless environment that is managed and accessible, even remotely, from anywhere. Kitchen Brains® streamlines equipment diagnostics, maintenance and service, while reducing operating costs and increasing sales.

To learn more about Kitchen Brains®, visit www.kitchenbrains.com. To speak with someone directly, contact Suzan French, 917-284-8523, sfrench@msco.com

STRATFORD, Conn.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Working alongside legendary icons Ray Kroc and Colonel Sanders, Food Automation Service Techniques (FAST) founder Ben Koether had an epiphany.

“If we could reduce restaurant labor by 50%, it would change the economics of running a restaurant and create another billion dollar business,” says Koether.

With the introduction of the FASTRON ® Cooking Computer, that’s just what Koether did. Now, revolutionizing the restaurant industry yet again, FAST, the worldwide leader in timers, temperature controls, and process controllers for the foodservice industry, and its Smart Commercial Kitchen division (SCK Direct) have integrated their technologies into an ‘end to end’ solution called Kitchen Brains™, designed to take restaurant performance to yet another level.

“There is a major shift occurring in the industry,” says Christian Koether, vice president, Kitchen Brains™. “We are receiving more inquiries from quick serve establishments looking to employ technology that improves restaurant performance; consistently delivers hot, fresh food; and maximizes customer satisfaction.”

Through its Quality Production Management (QPM) application, Kitchen Brains™ analyzes restaurant traffic patterns; provides sales trend data that enables just-in-time inventories; optimizes production for greatest efficiency and insures the production of fresher product at lower cost.

In effect, the kitchen thinks for itself, constantly monitoring market conditions, advising when to start cooking, monitoring hold times, and signaling with ‘active alerts’ when food should no longer be sold. By collecting and analyzing data automatically rather than via complex, labor-intensive processes, Kitchen Brains™ optimizes appliance utilization. A key feature of the Kitchen Brains™ solution is an easy-to-read, real-time dashboard that updates crew members and managers on the status of current restaurant operations at a glance.

“Through the use of complex logarithms, Kitchen Brains™ very accurately forecasts the quantity of food needed during specific time periods, when to cook and when to remove to retain freshness," says Christian. “It edges out the competition that largely just guesses how much product needs to be produced. In the 350 stores of the KFC UK market where Kitchen Brains was installed, customer complaints relating to food went to virtually zero.”

Another attribute is a key management tool that enables individual stores’ operating information to be accessed remotely, utilizing cloud based architecture.

“Imagine a franchisee with multiple stores being able to monitor all aspects of each individual’s store performance remotely. Additionally, the Kitchen Brain solution comes with a suite of management reports covering all aspects of restaurant operations,” explains Christian.

Kitchen Brains was built on the foundation of FAST, which has a long history of providing efficiency solutions to restaurants via its various proprietary electronic timers, electronic temperature controls and fryer controls. The company enjoys a solid reputation globally with customer such as YUM Brands KFC unit. The various FAST devices consistently improve the availability of high-quality fresh food, while improving production efficiency, and lowering labor costs resulting in increased profitability. By automating complex, formerly labor intensive processes, restaurant management is free to more fully focus on customers.

Further innovations to the Kitchen Brains™ solution are in development and will address critical aspects of restaurant operations such as HSSP monitoring, remote adjustment of appliance set-points, and energy management.

For more information, visit www.kitchenbrains.com.

About Kitchen Brains

Kitchen Brains, formerly SCK Direct, Inc., is Selected by QSR Magazine, a leading foodservice publication, as 'One of the Seven Trends You Won’t Want to Run Your Restaurant Without’, Kitchen Brains’ history of innovation and commitment to harnessing the power of information is at the forefront of the company’s groundbreaking, interconnected kitchen technology.

Stratford, Connecticut – Kitchen Brains® (formerly SCK Direct, Inc.) announced today that Yum! Restaurants International (YRI), a division of Yum! Brands, has chosen the company’s architecture and web-based solution, Quality Production Management (QPM) for some of its KFC international restaurants.

Kitchen Brains’ QPM application is a systemic solution that wirelessly networks cooking appliances and provides real time monitoring and administration capabilities, while delivering meaningful results. In addition to providing a host of remote management capabilities and compliance oversight, QPM enables restaurant teams more time to focus on hospitality and the guest experience.

"In a consumer-focused industry like ours, delivering on the brand promise is paramount. SCK's [Kitchen Brains’] process automation solution enables us to deliver an even better experience for our customers and truly reinforces our Customer Mania philosophy", says Jack Clare, CIO for Yum! Restaurants International, the international division of the world’s largest restaurant company, with more than 14,000 restaurants in over 110 countries and territories outside the U.S. and China.

According to Nicholas Didier, CEO of Kitchen Brains®, the framework agreement enables Yum! Restaurants International and Kitchen Brains to immediately deploy the system into additional international markets.

"We are delighted that having deployed our solution into the KFC brand in Great Britain, the product is delivering the value we and our customers have come to expect,” says Christian Koether, VP of Kitchen Brains®. “Moreover, we expect the value proposition to grow exponentially as we further leverage our existing in-store wireless network and above store administration tools in the areas of Set Point, Asset, People, HACCP and Energy management.”

Adds Clare, “SCK’s [Kitchen Brains’] adaptable system architecture enables it to interface with our diverse landscape of existing IT solutions by market and more rapidly deliver benefits to the YRI system. This is a strategic path agreement that will evolve over time as we gain more experience and our team learns how to extract further value.”

About Kitchen Brains®
Kitchen Brains® (formerly SCK Direct, Inc.) is a pioneer and global leader in the development and deployment of integrated, end-to-end, wireless M2M networking solutions and SAAS applications for the commercial kitchen/food service industry. Kitchen Brains’ technology connects all the components of food preparation--refrigeration, cooking, rethermalization, baking, and holding--into a seamless environment that is managed and accessible, even remotely, from anywhere. Kitchen Brains® streamlines equipment diagnostics, maintenance and service, while reducing operating costs and increasing sales.

To learn more about Kitchen Brains®, visit www.kitchenbrains.com. To speak with someone directly, contact Suzan French, 917-284-8523, sfrench@msco.com.

Notices: All marks are the property of their respective owners. Kentucky Fried Chicken and KFC are registered trademarks of YUM! Brands, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAST Strengthens Customer Support Team

Stratford, Connecticut, July 21, 2009 – Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of process controls for the food service industry, is pleased to announce additions and promotions to its Sales Team.

Recently rejoining FAST as Project Manager is James Seaton. He returns to FAST with a solid understanding of our products, customers and industry. Jim is responsible for guiding new product initiatives from conception to customer delivery. Working directly with our clients, as well as internal implementation teams, his role is vital in ensuring that new products are "on time and on target" with client expectations.

Jim has 15 years of experience in the chemical and electronics marketplace, managing logistics, international demand fulfillment and project coordination for multinational companies.

Promotion Announcements

Being recognized for their strong leadership skills are three veteran members of our FAST team:

Elevated to the position of Senior Director of New Production Introduction is Edward J. Musial. With FAST for 23 years, Ed and his team currently oversee product application development, deployment and technical support of all FAST products worldwide.

Mike Pardoe, whose leadership has grown the FAST International UK Customer Support Center across the EMEA region over the past 22 years, has been promoted to Managing Director – FAST International UK. Mike and his team are responsible for product application development, deployment and technical support of FAST products within the region.

River Zhang in our China/Singapore Customer Support Center has been promoted to Senior Director Business Development - Asia Pacific. River is responsible for FAST business development, product application and deployment, and technical support in the region.

"These three gentlemen continuously exceeded customer expectations delivering tremendous value, growth and business success to our clients. We are pleased to award these promotions to very deserving members of the FAST team," says Koether.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered the world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and restaurants in over 65 countries. While protecting its intellectual property, FAST continues its industry commitment by making available appropriate licenses for its proprietary technologies. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency. Visit www.fastinc.com.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2009 FAST

Stratford, Connecticut & Raleigh, North Carolina, (February 1, 2011)…Kitchen Brains® (formerly SCK Direct, Inc.) has been chosen by Luihn Food Systems, a franchisee of Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) to automate and streamline food production in Luihn Foods’ KFC® restaurants.

Luihn Food Systems chose to integrate Kitchen Brains’ breakthrough technology: Quality Production Management (QPM) application, a systemic solution that wirelessly networks cooking appliances, automates food production and provides real time remote monitoring and administration capabilities, while delivering meaningful quantifiable results in the areas of food quality, food availability, cost control and asset management.

“Based on our excellent results with SCK’s [Kitchen Brains’] restaurant management system, we decided that it makes business sense to roll the system throughout the network,” said Jody Luihn, president of Luihn Food Systems. “Our pay-back for this new investment is expected to be a little over 12 months. The ROI is driven by results achieved in the test stores where significant improvements in labor productivity, food availability and quality resulted in increased sales and lower costs.”

According to Ben Koether, chairman of Kitchen Brains®, QPM enables kitchen staff to ensure 100% product availability and deliver 100% product freshness, while providing more time to focus on hospitality and the guest experience.

“We are delighted by Luihn’s decision,” added Nicholas Didier, CEO of Kitchen Brains®. “It is yet another example of how the market continues to recognize the value proposition of our systems. We have designed the right product to dramatically improve food quality and availability. Good operators recognize this.”

About Kitchen Brains®
Kitchen Brains® (formerly SCK Direct, Inc.) is a pioneer and global leader in the development and deployment of integrated, end-to-end, wireless M2M networking solutions and SAAS applications for the commercial kitchen/food service industry. Kitchen Brains’ technology connects all the components of food preparation--refrigeration, cooking, rethermalization, baking, and holding--into a seamless environment that is managed and accessible, even remotely, from anywhere. Kitchen Brains streamlines equipment diagnostics, maintenance and service, while reducing operating costs and increasing sales.

To learn more about Kitchen Brains®, visit www.kitchenbrains.com. To speak with someone directly, contact Suzan French, 917-284-8523, sfrench@msco.com.

Notices: All marks are the property of their respective owners. Kentucky Fried Chicken and KFC are registered trademarks of YUM! Brands, Inc.

SHEFFIELD, England & STRATFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kitchen Brains (formerly SCK) and the QFM Group of Companies announced today that they have completed the execution of an agreement whereby Kitchen Brains has deployed its restaurant management system throughout all of QFM’s KFC restaurants.2

“Our pay-back for this new investment is expected to be a little over 12 months”

“Based on our excellent results with Kitchen Brains’ restaurant management system in two of our Restaurants, we decided that it makes business sense to install the system throughout the network of 28 restaurants,” says Bharat Patel, Managing Director, of The QFM Group of Companies.

Christian Koether, vice president, Kitchen Brains, says the system enables kitchen staff to ensure 100% product availability and deliver 100% product freshness, while allowing more time to focus on hospitality and the guest experience.

“We have designed the right product to improve kitchen management efficiency and the operators recognize it,” says Koether. “We are pleased with the decision of QFM. Their decision to deploy Kitchen Brains’ solutions in all their restaurants is yet another example of market recognition of the value proposition of our systems.”

Patel said QFM analyzed the system and previous results to ensure it would add value to the remaining stores.

“Our ROI analysis is based on the combined improvements in labour productivity and quality freshness leading to increased sales, we experienced in the first two restaurants,” continued Patel. “Furthermore, the system frees up manager’s time, improves the distribution of labour resources and increases accountability. The system just provides for a better working environment within the store. In essence, the decision was a no-brainer for us.”

As per the agreement, the group has now completed the installation of 28 restaurants.

“Our pay-back for this new investment is expected to be a little over 12 months,” says Patel.

For more information, visit www.kitchenbrains.com.

About Kitchen Brains

Kitchen Brains, formerly SCK Direct, Inc., is Selected by QSR Magazine, a leading foodservice publication, as 'One of the Seven Trends You Won’t Want to Run Your Restaurant Without’, Kitchen Brains’ history of innovation and commitment to harnessing the power of information is at the forefront of the company’s groundbreaking, interconnected kitchen technology.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stratford, Connecticut, September 1, 2009 – Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of electronic appliance controls for the food service industry, announced its (FASTIMER.) TT-500 Touch Screen Timer at The NAFEM Show 2009 where it was also selected to appear in the What’s Hot! What’s Cool! Product Gallery — a product showcase highlighting the most cutting-edge, innovative foodservice equipment and supplies.

Since then, the TT-500 has enhanced kitchen operations through pictorially driven touch-sensitive icons on a high-quality, easy-to-read display. This small footprint timer provides measurable food safety assurances, enhances operators’ ability to deliver consistent food quality, and delivers significant labor efficiencies and cost savings compared to conventional text prompt timers.

"The TT-500 enables restaurant operators to significantly reduce training time, improve execution and allows for ease of entry into new market segments with its easy to shift menus, selectable day parts and pictorially driven user interface,” said Ed Musial, Senior Director of New Product Introduction at FAST. “Its ability to quickly and easily update products or recipes and expand menu items through the USB port allows for faster and more accurate new product and LTO launches to drive increased traffic at the unit level for our clients.”

The (FASTIMER.) TT-500 can be customized for unique operator requirements and its icon-based menu prompts and product HELP features are intuitive and easy to use for diverse language crews that need to precisely track food products in a commercial food service establishment.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered the world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and restaurants in over 65 countries. While protecting its intellectual property, FAST continues its industry commitment by making available appropriate licenses for its proprietary technologies. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency. Visit www.fastinc.com.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2009 FAST

Savings and ROI, Increased Efficiencies, Energy and the Environment

Stratford, Connecticut, February 16, 2009– Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of electronic appliance controls for the food service industry, has recently participated in The NAFEM Show 2009 that hosted over 20,000 attendees and 600 foodservice equipment and supplies exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center.

FAST's Tracker TT-500 was selected for the What’s Hot! What’s Cool! New Product Showcase because of its multiple benefits associated with food safety, labor efficiency, cost reduction, small footprint, new menu opportunities, and overall impact for providing an excellent customer experience.

"We are pleased with the number of appliance manufacturers and foodservice operators who met with FAST subject matter experts to explore ideas for delivering measurable results to their businesses," stated George Koether, FAST CEO.

Appliance manufacturers learned how they can speed their time to market, offer the best total value to their customers, optimize manufacturing and supply chain costs, reduce customer support costs, and innovatively differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Foodservice operators came away with a better understanding of how to assure food safety and consistent food quality, and how to benefit from operating cost savings, the elimination of production errors, labor efficiencies, simplified training, and expanded recruitment opportunities while minimizing the ecological impact from hazardous substances, waste and business processes.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered the world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and restaurants in over 65 countries. While protecting its intellectual property, FAST continues its industry commitment by making available appropriate licenses for its proprietary technologies. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency.  FAST participates in the NAFEM Technical Liaison Committee and Government Relations Committee. 

For additional information, visit www.fastinc.com or contact Sherry Kraynak at 203.380.3488 or skraynak@fastinc.com.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2009 FAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stratford, Connecticut, March 29, 2010– Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of electronic appliance controls for the food service industry, introduces its line of Smart Interface Boards for the OEM foodservice appliance industry.

The SIB-810 and SIB-2020 microprocessor based controllers extend the versatile FAST line of Input / Output (I/O) devices utilizing the (FAST.Connect)™ architecture. This architecture allows SIB products to operate in a stand alone capacity as a “blind” controller managing all operating aspects of the appliance, as well as enable interoperability with a wide range of user interface (U/I) devices to suit different target operators’ requirements.

Manufacturers now have a cost-effective option to reduce labor costs at assembly with all appliance interface elements resident on the SIB for commonality of point to point wiring. Manufacturers need only to connect customer specific U/I boards through the (FAST.Connect) ™ RS-232 interface to customize their product offerings.

The SIB’s supporting local I/O requirements, with a mix of analog and digital connectivity. The SIB-810 offers 8 inputs and 12 outputs. The SIB-2020 offers 20 inputs and 20 outputs. Popular appliance applications include: automated fryers, grills and broilers; beverage dispensers; microwave/combi/convection ovens; ware washers; and laundry equipment.

Ed Musial, Senior Director of New Product Introduction states, “OEM appliance manufacturers can rapidly differentiate their product offerings for various clients’ right at the end of the manufacturing process, significantly reducing WIP and improving manufacturing throughput. Our versatile range of SIB and U/I devices combined with our wide range of industry leading innovative features enable our customers to make their brand stand out and to reduce costs. In today’s economy, we’re proud to be able to give them that opportunity.”

More info, including product data sheets, can be found on the FAST web site at http://www.fastinc.com/prod_oem_mltiproc.html#ib.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered a world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and Foodservice Establishments in over 65 countries. FAST continues its commitment to the industry by delivering world class innovation available for licenses or delivered in its products with industry proven superior reliability. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency. Visit http://www.fastinc.com

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2010 FAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAST Expands Product Development Team

Stratford, Connecticut, May 5, 2009 – Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of electronic appliance controls for the food service industry, is pleased to announce that Michael Keefe, Gerald Belanger, Louis Cesero II, and Michael Folcik have recently joined its engineering staff.

Michael Keefe, Director of Deployed Technology Enhancement and Design Services, will manage FAST engineering teams responsible for product enhancement and customer support for current products. For over 25 years at Cognitronics and ASML Mike managed global hardware and software engineering groups responsible for products targeted at the telecommunication and lithography markets. Having received a BS in Electrical Engineering, Mike brings leadership in partnering with customers to achieve technical objectives with skilled team leadership and project management. He is currently working toward his MS in Computer Science at Polytechnic University.

Gerard Belanger who contributed for over 20 years as a Sr. Microsystems Engineer with Cognitronics brings state of the art microelectronics hardware, software and networking skills to FAST as Senior Design Engineer. He received his BS Electrical Engineering from Bridgeport Engineering Institute.

Louis Cesero II strengthens the group with knowledge of hardware, software and PCB design joining as a Hardware Engineer. Louis has 12 years experience as a PCB designer with Eastman Kodak/Carestream Health where he also worked in the research and development department. Louis holds a BS Electrical Engineering degree from the University of New Haven, AS Engineering Science from Gateway Community Technical College and a degree for Connecticut School of Electronics.

Michael Folcik has joined the FAST team as Associate Innovation Engineer. A recent graduate from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in Computer Engineering, Michael’s background includes robotics and control systems. Mike’s focus will be R&D, bringing new technologies into FAST.

"We are delighted to welcome these gentlemen to FAST," stated George Koether, FAST CEO. "These additional resources will help ensure we deliver upon our commitment to continuous support and rewarding results as demand for our products and services continues to grow."

Real-World Experience for University of New Haven Students
FAST has also entered into a new and unique partnership with the University of New Haven. The program includes real-world experience for their students. However, unlike other programs, the FAST program involves the students with FAST over their entire tenure with the school and on a year round basis. Currently, three top-of-class students are participating in this innovative program.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered the world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and restaurants in over 65 countries. While protecting its intellectual property, FAST continues its industry commitment by making available appropriate licenses for its proprietary technologies. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency. Visit www.fastinc.com.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2009 FAST

FAST Develops Integration Tool to Pair User Interface Boards with Correct I/O Board Companion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stratford, Connecticut, July 28, 2010 – Food Automation – Service Techniques, Inc. (“FAST”), a leader in the design and manufacture of electronic appliance controls for the food service industry, extends its portfolio of UI (User Interface) boards which function in connection with its SIB (Smart Interface Boards – I/O boards) via the (FAST.Connect)™ architecture.

Specifically, the introduction of the Rotary Switch Selector control line, Model RSS-212, brings a multiple configuration UI to OEM foodservice appliance manufacturers and can operate stand alone or in conjunction with the wider range of SIB’s FAST offers. Application versatility gives the manufacturer the option of mounting plug-in display models horizontally or vertically, and with or without rotary encoders, providing virtually limitless configurations and the ability for the OEM to create a unique look and feel for their appliance in the marketplace. Manufacturers need only to connect through the (FAST.Connect)™ RS-232 interface to expand I/O.

The RSS-212 and (FAST.Connect) provide versatility across a broad range of appliances while reducing SKUs that used to be stocked for multiple appliances. Labor savings and improved quality yields are realized with the elimination of point to point wiring commonly found in mechanical control assemblies.  

Popular appliance applications include: automated fryers, grills and broilers; conveyor, microwave, combi and convection ovens; holding cabinets; waste disposal/pulpers, and more. The RSS-212 offers 11 inputs (5 analog, 6 digital) and 7 outputs resident on the product and can be extended via (FAST.Connect) and SIB’s.

Ed Musial, Senior Director of New Product Introduction states, “The unique modular design gives this product family versatility in both horizontal and vertical control panel configurations and the SD memory card is paramount in applications that require additional memory capabilities such as HACCP data collection.”

Keeping it green! This FAST product is in compliance with all RoHS directives to reduce hazardous substances and meets all domestic and international standards. More info, including product data sheets, can be found on the FAST web site at: http://www.fastinc.com/prod_oem_mltipar.html#ib

Information can also be obtained by contacting the FAST Sales Team at
1-800-FASTRON (327-8766), or sales@fastinc.com.

About Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. FAST is considered a world leader in Foodservice Temperature and Process Control Solutions. FAST products are found in major brand appliances and Foodservice Establishments in over 65 countries. FAST continues its commitment to the industry by delivering world class innovation available for licenses or delivered in its products with industry proven superior reliability. FAST introduced the first solid-state (FASTRON.)® cooking computer in 1970, and continues to set the pace for its industry with products that improve food safety, food quality, and labor efficiency. Visit http://www.fastinc.com.

Notices: (FAST.) is a registered trademark of Food Automation - Service Techniques, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2010 FAST