Industry Voices

Navigating the New Reality

by Katie Lee September 17, 2025

— By Candise Shanbron, Esq.— How retailers and restaurateurs can prepare for increasing natural disasters and insurance challenges. In recent years, weather patterns across the United States have become increasingly erratic and severe. Over just the past year, nearly every region of the country has experienced some form of extreme weather event — be it hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, floods, wildfires or other wind-related catastrophes. No geographical area seems immune, and all signs point toward a continued increase in the frequency and severity of these natural disasters. For those in the …

September 17, 2025

Industry Voices kitchen exhaust/grease control roofing vendors

Protection Before Inspection

by Katie Lee September 17, 2025

— By Tom Dawson — Rooftop grease should not be out of sight, out of mind. For restaurant operators, inspections are a regular part of doing business. McDonald’s owner/operators have discovered that proper rooftop grease containment is a critical factor in ensuring top scores for their Running Great Restaurant (RGR) inspections. McDonald’s owner/operators and other leading restaurant brands understand that every inspection point is important. Careful preparation across all parts of the operation is essential for achieving high scores. From general roof cleanliness to safety, McDonald’s owner/operators share how their …

September 17, 2025

construction and design Industry Voices software/technology vendors

Streamlining Retail Projects

by Katie Lee September 12, 2025

— By Andrew Brister, AIA — How as-built consulting and technology drive faster, profitable store openings. Retailers managing large property portfolios face growing complexity — tight timelines, overlapping projects and pressure to hit grand opening dates. To stay ahead, many are embracing advanced as-built consulting powered by technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), laser scanning, mobile mapping and virtual tours. When integrated early in the pre-design and design phases, these tools help reduce uncertainty, align stakeholders and streamline execution. The result: faster, more efficient rollouts with fewer surprises. Managing Multiple …

September 12, 2025

energy management green news HVAC/R Industry Voices kitchen equipment restaurants supply chain vendors

Cutting Cooler Costs

by Katie Lee August 13, 2025

— By Steve Benes — Designing a smarter barrier strategy for your walk-in cooler with air curtains. Walk-in coolers are critical for restaurants and cafeterias to store perishable goods, but they also contribute significantly to energy consumption. To maintain consistent low temperatures, walk-in coolers run continuously with little to no relief. Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests that refrigeration accounts for about 20% of the total energy use in restaurants, making it a major driver of utility costs. Every time the cooler door is opened, warm air …

August 13, 2025

Industry Voices parking lots property management vendors

Summer Sealcoating

by Katie Lee August 6, 2025

— By Sal Arena — Summer is an ideal time to renew your paved surfaces after the harsh freeze-thaw cycle of winter and even early spring. As temperatures rise and the days get longer, summer brings the perfect opportunity to take stock of your property’s exterior. One area that’s often overlooked until it’s too late? The pavement. After enduring winter’s freeze-thaw cycles, snow removal and salt exposure, asphalt surfaces can take a beating. This is why asphalt sealcoating should be at the top of your maintenance list right now. Sealcoating …

August 6, 2025

facilities management Industry Voices vendors

The Gold Standard

by Katie Lee July 30, 2025

— By John Fairclough — Be the facility director great vendors want to work with. Great vendors don’t just want work. They want to do work that matters. They want to be appreciated, challenged and trusted. They want to be part of a team that delivers with pride. And the best ones? They have options. That’s why the facility director sets the tone, not just for internal teams but for every vendor interaction. Here’s a story about one world-class facility director — we’ll call her “Amy” — who brought out …

July 30, 2025

flooring/floor care Industry Voices vendors

Proactive Steps Forward

by Katie Lee July 23, 2025

— By Kevin Bourassa — Mitigating risk in retail & restaurant facilities. In the retail and restaurant industry, risk management is essential. From bustling kitchens to high-traffic customer areas, slips and falls pose a serious threat to both employees and guests. The right flooring can significantly reduce these risks, ensuring a safer environment while protecting your business from potential liabilities. Slips, trips and falls account for 30% of all reported injuries in North America and are the leading cause of workplace accidents in restaurants, hotels and public buildings, according to …

July 23, 2025

facilities management fire protection Industry Voices kitchen equipment kitchen exhaust/grease control restaurants vendors

Let Them Cook

by Katie Lee July 16, 2025

— By Nathan Willard — Regular conveyor oven cleanings help extend their lifespan and significantly reduce fire risk. Commercial conveyor ovens (also known as pizza ovens or pizza conveyor ovens) play an essential role in busy commercial kitchens as pieces of equipment that are used yearly to cook over 3 billion pizzas in the U.S. alone. However, while there are few things better than a cheesy slice of pizza, conveyor ovens — as well as your entire kitchen operations — have the ability to go up in flames when they …

July 16, 2025

construction and design Industry Voices remodels restaurants store closings

Rethinking Real Estate

by Katie Lee July 9, 2025

— By David Conklin — Retail-to-restaurant conversions have proven to be a profitable real estate strategy for Golden Corral. The rising costs of new development present an opportunity for retail and restaurant brands to rethink their expansion strategies. One of the most effective ways to fuel growth while mitigating high development costs is by repurposing second-generation spaces — previously occupied retail locations — into thriving restaurant concepts. Golden Corral is leading the charge, targeting these spaces as prime opportunities for conversion and rapid expansion. Why Second-Generation Retail Spaces Work for …

July 9, 2025

Industry Voices Product Spotlight retailers software/technology supply chain vendors

Growth of Grocery AI

by Katie Lee July 2, 2025

— By Tremaine Kirkman — Revolutionizing retail facilities — specifically grocers — with AI solutions. Independent grocery retail facilities, such as neighborhood markets, corner stores, family-run supermarkets and bodegas, fuel the heart of our communities. They bring fresh, often local, goods to consumers; offer diverse product selections; and foster a sense of connection while contributing significantly to local economies. However, as large retail chains with extensive resources dominate the grocery market, smaller and independent grocery retailers face mounting challenges, compounded by minimal adoption of advanced technology due to price and …

July 2, 2025

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