— By Mike Weber — Improve your total finished floor care program. They say that a first impression is usually what sticks, no matter what changes or upgrades are made later. When people enter your business, the first things they’re likely to see are your floors, which, depending on how clean or dirty the floors look, can shape their perceptions. Floors that appear dirty, scuffed or dull can convey the impression that the facility’s cleanliness standards are lacking. Studies have shown that facility appearance ratings can drop as much as …
Dallas — The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), a membership organization dedicated to retail, multi-site facilities management, has partnered with the Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI), the founding body and administrator of the ProFM credential. The partnership strengthens the PRSM facility management credential program. After researching and vetting several Facilities Management certification programs, it was determined ProFM was the best choice for PRSM members as they continue efforts to elevate their industry knowledge and reinforce their credibility. ProFM defines global FM standards and provides facility professionals with the knowledge …
New York City — Shake Shack has appointed a new chief development officer, chief global licensing officer, chief information officer and chief marketing officer, as well as the addition of its ninth board member. All four positions represent new roles at the company, filled with a balanced team of internal and external talent. With sizeable growth ahead, Shake Shack’s team of senior leaders will be instrumental in its strategic growth. Andrew McCaughan, formerly vice president of development at Shake Shack, has been promoted to chief development officer. He will be …
New York City — Luxury brand Christopher Guy has been actively streamlining its business to focus on branded retail locations in major metropolitan cities across the globe, with the latest New York showcase underlining a greater focus on CG’s direct presence. As a result of the brand’s retail direction, CG will be closing its Las Vegas and High Point, N.C., trade showrooms following the April 2019 High Point Market. The company also announced the opening of an all-new street level showroom on the ground floor of the New York Design …
Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded into the non-traditional sector for the first time with the opening of five new locations in spaces across the Midwest. The brand recently opened restaurants in Old Capitol Town Center in Iowa City, Iowa; Wichita State University’s student center in Wichita, Kan.; and Oklahoma State University’s football and basketball stadiums in Stillwater, Okla. The company also signed an agreement to bring Freddy’s to the Missouri State University student center in Springfield, Mo., before the end of the …
— By Bradley Vanover — When epoxy pipe restoration makes (dollars and) sense. The first call to our national facilities maintenance group was an emergency. Sewage was backing up into the restroom of a major department store. Not good for business. Plumbers were called, quotes given, and shock ensued. Replacing old cast iron pipes is a pricey fix, but not a surprising one. Cast iron is notoriously subject to corrosion, particularly in waste lines where hydrogen sulfide gas forms. Drain cleaners, a common fix for slow-running pipes, often contain sulfuric …
Lansing, Mich. — Clark Construction Company has opened a new office location in Alpena, Mich. This growth strategy strengthens Clark’s presence and extends the reach of operations across all of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This also leads to the expansion of its capabilities and area of service for its self-perform group, Clark Contracting Services. Joining the Clark team are trusted, local construction professionals: Fred Gagnier as regional manager; Pete Cross as project manager/estimator; Craig Froggett as business development manager; Tyler Lumsden as superintendent; Sara Escareno as project engineer; …
Chicago — Pork & Mindy’s, along with chef and owner Jeff Mauro, plan to open two new standalone restaurants in the Chicago area, including one in Mauro’s hometown of Elmwood Park. The Chicago-based BBQ concept also plans to open 28 locations inside Mariano’s grocery stores. Pork & Mindy’s is scheduled to open along ‘Restaurant Row’ in Elmwood Park this summer, as well as in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood later this year. The Elmwood Park location will feature a rooftop patio and regularly scheduled live music. Mauro (pictured here) and …
Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has named Bill Wafford, a highly accomplished retail executive with over 25 years of broad finance experience, as executive vice president, chief financial officer, effective April 8. He joins JCPenney from The Vitamin Shoppe. Reporting to CEO Jill Soltau, Wafford will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and driving operational excellence in addition to leading all aspects of the company’s finance and accounting operations. He succeeds Michael Fung, interim chief financial officer, who will remain with the company through the end of …
Chicago and New York and Tel Aviv — McDonald’s Corporation has reached an agreement to acquire Dynamic Yield Ltd., a leader in personalization and decision logic technology. With this acquisition of Dynamic Yield, based in New York and Tel Aviv, McDonald’s builds on its significant technology investments for growth. McDonald’s will utilize this decision technology to provide an even more personalized customer experience by varying outdoor digital drive-thru menu displays to show food based on time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The decision technology can also …