— By Katie Lee — Krystal sets the stage for new growth by focusing on fundamentals: people, processes and prototypes. Atlanta-based Krystal, the second-oldest fast-food chain in the U.S. — and the original home of the slider in the South — is forging a comeback. As it modernizes with new store layouts, technologies and processes, the heritage QSR brand also honors its 92-year history by embracing its roots and prioritizing “good old-fashioned hospitality” and people-first strategies. Leading this brand reinvention is Amanda Hyde, who was promoted to senior vice president …
Features
11 Preventive Maintenance Services Retailers, Restaurants Need
Restaurants and retailers move fast. There’s no time for unexpected maintenance issues to slow you down. Preventive maintenance (PM) programs can help you avoid disruptions. “For retailers and restaurants, preventive maintenance programs are vital, but often overlooked,” says John Catanese, senior vice president at Chain Store Maintenance, an MCS Company. “They ensure your business can provide the best service to your customers consistently, safely, efficiently and cost effectively.” Why PM Matters Preventive maintenance delivers several key advantages: Enhanced reliability. By addressing minor issues before they escalate, you can prevent unexpected …
— By George Lessmeister — Navigating staffing trends for 2025. As 2024 wound down and the new year came into view, we asked our managers across the country for their insights about what’s happening in staffing. They were asked similar questions that resulted in some consistent trends. The team also offered input about how retail and restaurant business owners can navigate the sometimes-tricky waters of staffing while continuing to provide high level customer service. While regional variations exist, these are the trends our managers identified most consistently. Budget Consciousness From …
— By Bob Zaprzal — The benefits of comprehensive pavement assessments. In retail and restaurants, a customer’s experience starts long before they enter the building and continues after they leave. Parking lots, sidewalks and other pavement features create critical first and last impressions. This article will explore ways in which to redefine pavement services through innovative, systematic property assessments. A tailored pavement maintenance plan not only protects your brand reputation but also enhances customer satisfaction, increases safety and saves money over time. Why Pavement Maintenance Matters Picture pulling into a …
— By Jaime Tuinstra — How infrared heat can help fill your restaurant and breweries’ seats. As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, service or entertainment establishments that utilize outdoor seating areas face a challenge: How to keep guests comfortable and extend the outdoor dining season. Providing comfortable al fresco dining or social options, even when temperatures drop, can significantly boost revenue and customer satisfaction. Thus, in lieu of hoodies or jackets, when there’s a nip in the air, addressing comfort proactively is essential for customer satisfaction …
Superior Facility Service Group: Signature Vendor Spotlight
— Interview with Carol L. Carey and Pamela M. Roberts — R&R: Where are you based, and how long has Superior been around? Carol Carey: Superior Facility Service Group, based in Kathleen, Georgia, is an 11-year-old family-owned company specializing in commercial maintenance and repair, bird control and prevention, and disaster restoration. We provide top-notch care for businesses of all sizes, ensuring accuracy, quick response times and unmatched value. Our mission is to enhance safety, efficiency and comfort in commercial properties. R&R: An FM company co-owned by two women in an …
— By Thibaud Denolle — Unlocking retail efficiency with the rise of facial biometrics. Ordering your favorite meal at a fast food restaurant could soon be as effortless as unlocking your phone. With a quick scan of your face, you can skip the lines and get straight to enjoying your meal. This exciting new reality is powered by facial biometrics, a technology that’s set to transform the shopping experience. From speeding up checkouts to boosting customer loyalty, facial biometrics offers a world of possibilities for both consumers and retailers. This …
Rubicon: Signature Vendor Spotlight
— Interview With Chandra Balter — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Chandra Balter: Rubicon is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and I’m personally based in Toms River, New Jersey. The company has been in business for 16 years. R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company? Balter: I’m Chandra Balter, strategic account executive, and I have been with Rubicon for over 11 years. For most of that time, I served as a key account …
How Facility Maintenance Drives Success in Restaurants
When ranking the maintenance and repair challenges associated with everyday commercial real estate spaces — especially those that could just as easily be owned by smaller investors as by institutional capital — putting restaurants at the top of the list is a pretty easy argument to make. The issues that arise in retail stores or even offices usually aren’t as messy or varied as those that emerge in food-and-beverage operations, points out Bill Schaphorst, vice president of business development at MaintenX, a Tampa, Fla.-based company that provides “curb-to-roof” facility maintenance …
Eyes in the Sky
— By Ron Harwood — The future of outdoor media systems and the capability of wireless controls and data collection. The police and fire chiefs run the public safety areas along with road commissioners who try to give their officers fast access to information. Environmental planners and water resource commissioners deal with water, earth and air quality and are always in need of much more data to monitor and control their systems. Public lighting is concerned with keeping the lights on, paying for energy and maintaining vast amounts of equipment. …