When MUFSO rotates its annual gathering to Orlando, Fla., it provides a good opportunity to find out what restaurant companies might be testing in the burgeoning trail-run market.

I hear Wendy’s, since at least August, has been testing its new Natural Cut Sea-Salt Fries in some Orlando units along with a few in Albuquerque, N.M., and Raleigh, N.C.

Rival Burger King opened its first Whopper Bar at Universal CityWalk in March 2009. It shares a mini-food-court space with Panda Express and Moe’s Southwest Grill.

And going back into the far reaches of history, Olive Garden got its start in Orlando when then-owner General Mills opened the first in 1982. General Mills eventually spun off the restaurant division as Darden Restaurants to grow into the largest casual-dining company in the world. Darden is now expanding Seasons 52, which also started in its headquarters city of Orlando.

And here’s something for you trivia buffs who use Twitter (which often abbreviates cities to their airport codes in order to fit into the required 140 characters): Those of us flying into Orlando International Airport often wonder why the airport code comes up as “MCO.” That was retained from the region’s McCoy Air Force Base, which officially closed in 1975 and the most of which is now part of the existing airport. You can still see the airport touting the slogan: “It’s the real McCoy!” 

--Ron Ruggless