— By Katie Lee — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a Newport Beach, California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, continues to scale the heights toward the peak of franchise success. Born out of the Bay Area in 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza started franchising in 1981 and grew steadily and regionally over the ensuing decades. More recently, Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, former multi-unit Burger King franchisees and Stanford alumni who frequented the chain in college, came along and shook things up. In 2017, the pair acquired the company …
Features
Smart Roofing Strategies Help Retail, Restaurant Facility Owners Trim Costs
For retail and restaurant facility owners, a proactive roofing maintenance strategy is essential to prevent costly issues down the line, says Bill Earl, director of roofing operation at MaintenX. “You just spent $200,000 on a roof. Preventive maintenance is about protecting that investment,” he explains. Many roofing issues are not caused by material failures but by external factors like mishandling equipment or damage from storm debris. Earl emphasizes that routine maintenance can prevent small problems from escalating into major repairs. For restaurants, where foot traffic on roofs is common, damage …
— By Amanda Anderson — Why you should proactively implement a pest prevention program. I don’t mean to be a pest, but do your facilities have a pest prevention program in place? Research has shown that preventative measures are crucial to keeping a safe and clean environment for both customers and employees, while cutting down on costs associated with pest treatments. Maintaining vigilant pest control programs remains crucial to keeping these unwelcome guests from creeping through the cracks and into your facility. Spotting a cockroach in the restroom should serve …
— By Tim Conn — 8 tips to appeal to Gen Z and future franchisees. Franchising has long been a successful business model, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to own a business with an established brand and built-in support system. As the economic landscape evolves, the demographic that franchise owners must appeal to is also shifting. Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, is emerging as a powerful consumer group and a growing pool of future franchisees. It’s imperative that current franchise owners understand and adapt to the values, preferences …
— By Greg Pittman — How exterior painting enhances curb appeal and draws in customers. The visual appeal of the outside of a business can play an integral role in attracting customers and ensuring its success. One of the most effective ways to enhance curb appeal that business owners tend to look is through exterior painting. Regardless of the type of business you’re running — whether a restaurant, retail store, medical facility, educational institute, fitness center or hotel — the building’s exterior is the first impression for the passersby. It …
The Magic of Balancing Maintenance Costs
Running a retail or restaurant facility requires balancing costs, maintenance and operational uptime — a challenge that is further compounded when dealing with multiple stores. Facility owners and operators face the challenge of keeping their properties in top condition while managing expenses and minimizing disruptions to business. In the retail and restaurant industries, any downtime at all can be costly. A malfunctioning bathroom or a broken HVAC system can lead to customer dissatisfaction, lost revenue and temporary closures. Preventative maintenance and proactive scheduling can address these concerns by managing costs, staggering …
— By Sharon Cho and Justin Shreiner — Selecting optimal water heating systems to meet the needs of full-service restaurants. Full-service restaurants are harsh environments for commercial water heaters. They operate for long hours, often from early morning to midnight, with continuous 140° hot water necessary for food prep, cooking and cleaning. This constant demand places a significant strain on water heating equipment and requires units that can withstand heavy use and provide consistent performance. For this reason, selecting the proper water heater is necessary to keep restaurants operational, remain …
Exhaustive Analysis
— By Christopher Collins, AIA, NCARB — The good, the bad & the ventless …exhaust hoods. The look of dismay on the chef’s face told me everything I needed to know: the vent hood was not cutting it and big money was going to be burned trying to remedy his woes. The issue was the ventless hood that was used for the cooking appliances. And not really the exhaust type that was being employed, but more of the expectations around that piece of equipment. That’s when I realized what ventless …
— By Sean Gillespie — Promoting lasting relationships through a consultative approach. For nearly three decades, our commercial painting firm has carved a path as a leader in the multi-site repaint program sector. Over the years, we have amassed a wealth of knowledge from both triumphs and challenges alike. Our extensive experience spans various industries, ranging from small local stores and restaurants to large national chains. Our commitment to going beyond the basics of painting extends to cultivating lasting client partnerships. These relationships transcend contractual obligations and foster mutual understanding …
— Interview with Melody Wright — Von Maur embarks on a $100 million renovation plan to redefine its department stores for a new generation — and reinvest in the 152-year-old company’s signature customer service. Von Maur is a classic American department store, currently embarking on an extensive, multi-phased renovation of its nearly 40 brick-and-mortar locations over the next 5 years. The 152-year-old retailer will invest more than $100 million to showcase an entirely new interior aesthetic, with renovations underway in Wichita, Kansas; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Omaha, Nebraska; Livonia, Michigan; Louisville, …