— By Deb Millette — Advice for facilities management teams in the midst of COVID-19. [EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Retail & Restaurant Facility Business magazine.] In the face of the worldwide pandemic that is COVID-19, people and businesses alike are facing challenges that are testing both mindsets and financial stability. With very little historical data to reference and guide business owners, everyone is taking a different approach. Some businesses have been forced to shut down, others have drastically shifted operational hours, …
Pittsburgh — Moe’s Southweast Grill has opened its first ever kiosk-only restaurant. Located in Pittsburgh, the kiosk-only restaurant is owned and operated by Moe’s multi-unit franchisee Mike Geiger, seats 16 and features Moe’s new brand design. The build took approximately 10 months to complete, with the final inspection scheduled for one day after the city shut down due to COVID-19 (March 13). This timely launch provides a more contactless ordering option in the time of COVID-19, as well as additional sanitation efforts have been put in place in accordance with …
Dallas — The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has announced that Dallas-based AT&T has informed the telecommunications and IT union its plans to permanently shutter 250 AT&T Mobility and Cricket Wireless stores. The move would impact 1,300 retail jobs. There are currently more than 16,000 AT&T retail locations in the United States, including authorized retailers and company-owned stores and kiosks. CWA also reports that A&T plans to cut 3,400 technician and clerical jobs across the country over the next few weeks. The Dallas Morning News reports that AT&T had to …
Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of moderately priced footwear and accessories, has reopened all but one of its 390 stores across the U.S and Puerto Rico amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. For the fiscal second quarter-to-date, Shoe Carnival has experienced stronger than expected sales with comparable store sales up 28.1% compared to the prior year, with brick-and-mortar comparable sales up 4.0% and e-commerce comparable sales increasing nearly 470%. “The first half of fiscal 2020 ushered in an unprecedented operating landscape for our business. We pivoted quickly …
Waterbury, Conn. – Wing It On!, a New England-based wing joint, has formed a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its U.S. expansion. With 12 locations open and in development, Wing It On! has now set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key regions throughout the Northeastern and Southeastern sections of the United States. “We’ve been patient with our growth, primarily because we wanted to give all of our energy to our fans and the business at our first few locations. In the last 18 months or …
Boca Raton, Fla. — Office Depot, Inc. has appointed D. Anthony Scaglione as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 20, 2020. As CFO, Scaglione will report directly to CEO Gerry Smith and be a member of the executive committee. He will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning and analysis, financial reporting and accounting, as well as leading investor relations, internal audit, tax and treasury functions. “We are delighted to welcome Anthony to Office Depot as we accelerate our transformation to …
Orlando, Fla. — DWM has promoted Joe Mercado to director, facilities maintenance, from his previous position as operations manager. In his new role, Mercado will provide a more consistent and equitable process across the Facilities Maintenance division while allowing DWM’s Account Management team to focus more on external success versus the internal management of resources. “Joe’s new role is the glue that will hold all training and development programs together,” says Katie Whitt, vice president, strategic accounts. “Promoting Joe into this role allows DWM to provide more best-in-class solutions for …
San Ramon, Calif. — Fitness center retail chain 24 Hour Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection stemming from revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Ramon, Calif.-based company expects to secure $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing, which is subject to court approval. The fitness chain also intends to permanently close 132 of its 300-plus gyms. In California alone, 24 Hour Fitness will shutter 41 locations, and in Texas another 26 will permanently close as the company will focus on reopening its other gyms across the country. “If …
Salt Lake City — Commercial Asset Preservation, LLC (CAP), a nationwide provider of maintenance, repair and inspection services for operating and vacant retail, restaurant, medical, office and industrial real estate, has hired Samuel Cerminaro, Jr. as a national sales executive. Cerminaro was recently the national accounts manager at CTS Flooring in Limerick, Pa., where he was responsible for business development and account management. “Sam brings many years of experience in the facility maintenance industry,” says Marc Insul, president and COO of Commercial Asset Preservation. “His experience, analytical approach and creative …
— By Theresa Phelps — Dark store management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. During this uncertain time, we know it’s causing stress on multi-site companies including retailers and restaurants. As we like to say, “We’re in this together, and this too shall pass.” Whether your locations have closed temporarily or permanently, it’s important to continue to maintain the exteriors of those properties. Idle commercial real estate properties, or dark stores, are valuable investments that must be kept up to ensure further capital expenditures don’t occur and the …