Features

construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementFrom The Magazineremodelsrestaurants

Sky High is the Limit

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Mellow Mushroom, the psychedelic pizza franchise known for its imaginative pizzas, hand-tossed stone-baked dough and unique atmosphere, projects a laid-back vibe but is anything but ‘mellow’ in its ambition. One year after marking its 50th anniversary, Mellow Mushroom spent 2025 not basking in the glow of its half-century of success but rather laser-focused on improving restaurant operations and rolling out a new store prototype. Today, those investments are paying off. “In 2026, our milestones have been about disciplined growth and evolution: 8 new locations signed …

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disaster recoveryfacilities managementfire protectionIndustry Voiceskitchen exhaust/grease controlrestaurantsvendors

Grease Happens

by Katie Lee

— By Lauren McCormick — Why smart facilities stay ahead of the mess. There is a lot to love about a great restaurant — the food, the atmosphere, the satisfied customers. But behind every busy kitchen is something most people never think about: the grease trap. It is not glamorous and when ignored, it quickly becomes everyone’s problem. What Is a Grease Trap, and Why Does It Matter? A grease trap is a device that catches fats, oils and grease (often called FOG) before they flow into the city’s sewer …

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facilities managementIndustry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Harness the Power

by Katie Lee

— By Parminder Singh — How restaurant facility professionals can harness AI platforms for smarter store operations. If you’re responsible for facilities in a restaurant chain, you know how much your brand’s reputation depends on the comfort, safety and reliability of every location. From keeping guests comfortable in the dining area to ensuring refrigeration and kitchen systems run smoothly, the facility director’s job is invisible, yet vital. When something fails — a rooftop unit stops cooling, the walk-in freezer loses temperature or the air quality suffers — it’s not just …

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Industry VoicesProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Get in the Game

by Katie Lee

— By Bryan Icenhower — How reliable access to live sports fosters habitual loyalty. In today’s dining landscape, reliability may be the most underrated driver of customer loyalty. For sports fans, choosing where to watch isn’t casual, it’s intentional. Whether it’s an NFL Sunday, a cross-state college football rivalry, an MLS playoff or a Formula 1 Grand Prix, fans pick restaurants and bars where they can reliably watch the game. For restaurants, customer loyalty isn’t limited to a one-time visit. It’s about encouraging customers to return time and again. When …

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green newsIndustry Voiceskitchen exhaust/grease controlrestaurantsroofingvendors

Reducing Rooftop Risk

by Katie Lee

— By Jim Selle — Why rooftop grease containment is a smart business practice. For restaurant operators and commercial property owners, rooftop grease containment is often viewed as a maintenance item. In reality, it is a critical business practice that protects roofing assets, reduces liability exposure, supports regulatory compliance and helps prevent avoidable capital expenses. Facilities that operate commercial kitchens generate grease-laden vapors that travel through exhaust systems and discharge at rooftop fan locations. Without proper containment, grease can spread across roofing membranes, mechanical equipment, drains and walking surfaces, creating …

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exterior services/landscapingIndustry Voicesproperty managementvendors

The Upside of Upkeep

by Katie Lee

— By James Barber — Let’s face it. When customers pull into the parking lot of a retail store or restaurant, what’s the first thing they really see? It’s not the flashy spinning sign. It’s not the flappy inflatable tube man. And it’s probably not the giant gorilla standing by the road. It’s the landscape! The grass, the trees, the shrubs, the parking lot, the sidewalks — everything that frames the customer’s first impression of that business. And the question is simple: Does it look inviting or does it look …

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Industry Contentkitchen equipmentrestaurantsVendor Spotlightvendors

Unlimited Service Group: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview With Kristen Nowak — R&R: Where are you based? Kristen Nowak: “Unlimited Service Group is headquartered in Addison, Illinois, just outside of Chicago; we operate through 40 locally operated service companies and more than 140 branch locations across the U.S. and Canada.” R&R:  What services do you offer? Nowak: “We provide commercial kitchen food equipment repair, installation and maintenance. We service hot, cold, beverage and, in most of our branches, HVAC equipment. We acquire companies with great teams and great leaders, and when they come on board, they …

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construction and designIndustry ContentpaintingVendor Spotlightvendors

Harrison Contracting Company: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Sean Gillespie — R&R: Where are you based? How long have you been in business? Sean Gillespie: We are headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia, approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta. We have divisional offices in Destin/Ft. Walton, Florida; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida, and have been in business since 1995. R&R: What is your title, and how long have you been with HCC? Gillespie: Director | Strategic Alliances/Marketing and I’ve been with HCC for 8 years. R&R: What trades/services do you offer …

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Industry Contentjan/sankitchen equipmentplumbingProduct Spotlightrestaurantsrestroom cleaningThe Goldbook of Retail & Restaurant Facility BusinessVendor Spotlightvendors

Chicago Faucets: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Nathan Klein — R&R: Where are you based, and how long has the company been in business? Nathan Klein: Chicago Faucets is based in Des Plaines, Illinois, and my home office is Columbus, Ohio. We have been in business since 1901; we have built a reputation for manufacturing durable, high-performance commercial faucets designed for demanding commercial environments. R&R: What is your title? How long have you been with the company? Klein: I am the business development manager for Chicago Faucets. I am responsible for driving new partnerships …

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construction and designCover StoryFrom The Magazineremodelsretailers

A Nobler Pursuit

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Barnes & Noble’s turnaround is being driven by three core strengths: sound bookselling fundamentals, local control over book curation and a refreshed store design. The year was 2019; no one knew a worldwide pandemic was on the way. At Barnes & Noble, what they did know was a new CEO had just been announced. His name was James Daunt and, from the unforeseen challenges of 2020 to the record-breaking growth of 2025, the iconic bookseller has managed to turn adversity into opportunity every step of …

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