Features

Reducing Rooftop Risk

by Katie Lee September 23, 2026

— 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 …

September 23, 2026

exterior services/landscaping Industry Voices property management vendors

The Upside of Upkeep

by Katie Lee September 16, 2026

— 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 …

September 16, 2026

Industry Content kitchen equipment restaurants Vendor Spotlight vendors

Unlimited Service Group: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee September 9, 2026

— 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 …

September 9, 2026

construction and design Industry Content painting Vendor Spotlight vendors

Harrison Contracting Company: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee September 3, 2026

— 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 …

September 3, 2026

Industry Content jan/san kitchen equipment plumbing Product Spotlight restaurants restroom cleaning The Goldbook of Retail & Restaurant Facility Business Vendor Spotlight vendors

Chicago Faucets: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee August 27, 2026

— 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 …

August 27, 2026

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine remodels retailers

A Nobler Pursuit

by Katie Lee August 19, 2026

— 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 …

August 19, 2026

Industry Voices kitchen equipment restaurants vendors

Rising Operational Costs

by Katie Lee August 12, 2026

— Interview with Jon Jacobs — The biggest challenges when starting a restaurant. Jon Jacobs is a longtime foodservice operator and the president of SilverChef. Since 1986, SilverChef has helped more than 85,000 hospitality businesses get started and grow via flexible restaurant equipment financing. In 2026, Silverchef brought its business operation to the U.S. Jacobs opened Polliwogs Eatery & Pub in Mississippi in the late 1990s, building a highly profitable business from Day 1. But like many first-time operators, he encountered costly lessons around equipment — from upfront capital constraints …

August 12, 2026

ADA compliance exterior services/landscaping Industry Voices parking lots property management vendors

Beyond the Empty Lot

by Katie Lee August 6, 2026

— By Amanda Anderson — Why parking lot maintenance matters. An empty lot is full of potential. It is a blank slate that, with the right planning, becomes an investment in the community. Before a business ever opens its doors, countless hours go into permits, site plans, city approvals and construction. But once the dirt and gravel are transformed into pavement and plant beds, the work isn’t over. All that effort can be undermined if the property isn’t maintained. A well‑built establishment deserves the same level of care long after …

August 6, 2026

energy management facilities management HVAC/R Industry Voices Product Spotlight restaurants retailers vendors

Stop Flying Insects at the Door

by Katie Lee July 29, 2026

— By Natalie Clarke — How air curtains deliver proactive, chemical-free pest control for retail and restaurant facilities. For facility managers in retail stores and restaurants, flying insect control is a constant operational challenge. A single open door can invite flies into food prep areas, dining spaces and checkout lines — creating sanitation risks, failed inspections, and negative customer experiences. The challenge is compounded by increasing pressure to reduce chemical use and adopt more environmentally responsible pest management strategies. Traditional tools like insect light traps and sprays still play a …

July 29, 2026

Industry Voices restaurants retailers software/technology vendors

Strategy First

by Katie Lee July 22, 2026

— By Tara Buchler — Why strategy — not software — determines whether technology investments actually deliver value. Technology buying failures rarely happen because a team chose the “wrong” software. They happen earlier when facilities or restaurant operations enter the RFP process without the strategy, clarity or alignment required to make a good decision. Most technology buyers in retail and restaurant facilities only see a handful of locations, kitchens or service workflows over the course of their careers — often within the same company, sometimes within the same operational model. …

July 22, 2026

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