Industry Voices

exterior services/landscapingfacilities managementIndustry Voicespest controlrestaurantsvendors

Ratting Out the Problem

by Katie Lee

— By Ken Huening — How to mitigate the risks rodents pose to the foodservice and restaurant industries. Rodents have been a problem for the food industry since the first food cart operator started hawking meat pies in the Middle Ages. But the problem has exploded in scope in recent years. According to a recent study published in the journal Science, 69% of cities studied, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York City, Oakland, Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City and Cincinnati, had significant increases in rat populations in the period …

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Industry Voicessoftware/technologysupply chainvendors

Multimillion-Dollar Mistake

by Katie Lee

— By Brad Forester — Why the technology business case is not a strategy: For retailers and restaurant operators, the story is becoming uncomfortably familiar. A compelling demo. A polished ROI model. Confident assurances that a new facilities management, workforce scheduling or asset visibility platform will “pay for itself” within 12 to 18 months. The business case is approved; contracts are signed — and 3 years later, the organization is left with underutilized technology, frustrated store managers and the realization that the expected value never materialized. In many cases, the …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesproperty managementrestaurants

A Small, Simple Solution

by Katie Lee

— By Koji Kanematsu — Why landlords are turning to light-infrastructure food concepts to fill retail dead zones. Landlords and shopping center owners are facing a familiar problem. Many retail properties have space that gets foot traffic but doesn’t work for a traditional restaurant. Old kiosks, narrow inline units, corridors and spaces that cannot support full restaurant infrastructure are hard to lease. Too often, they sit empty. At the same time, many food operators want to expand but can’t justify the cost, time or risk of a full restaurant buildout. …

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energy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicessoftware/technologyvendors

Warming Up Winter

by Katie Lee

— By Jay Fiske — Achieving winter savings through effective energy management. [EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally published in winter 2025 as part of the December/January magazine issue.] It’s cold outside, and the temperature may drop even further. According to The Weather Channel, “from the Northern Plains to the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast, the last 2 weeks of January are typically the coldest times of the year.” This frigid weather puts pressure on multi-unit retail facility managers (FMs), who juggle two conflicting priorities: (1) providing shoppers with an exceptional in-store …

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Industry Voiceskitchen equipmentkitchen exhaust/grease controlrestaurantsvendors

Seasonal Impact

by Katie Lee

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally published in December, in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Retail & Restaurant Facility Business.] — Interview with Nathan Willard — HOODZ’s Nathan Willard talks preventative maintenance: steps your facility should take to clean & maintain kitchen exhaust systems this holiday season. R&R: Why is kitchen exhaust cleaning especially important during the busy holiday season? Nathan Willard: During the holidays, families are not only eating together in the comfort of their own homes; they are also sharing meals at local restaurants. While kitchen exhaust cleaning …

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exterior services/landscapingIndustry Voicesparking lotsproperty managementsoftware/technologyvendors

A ‘Lot’ of Variables

by Katie Lee

— By Evan Tilley — Restaurant and retail solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Parking is the first and last interaction a customer has with a restaurant or retail establishment. A stress-free parking experience sets a positive tone before a customer even walks through the door, while a lack of parking spaces or unhelpful parking staff can create frustration, no matter how good the business may be. What works in terms of parking for restaurants and retail establishments can differ from location to location, and businesses often need to consider tailored parking …

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Industry Voicespest controlproperty managementvendors

Nesting Season

by Katie Lee

— By Sarah J. Carter — As the temperatures drop, nesting birds may seek shelter indoors. How to protect your facility from these unwelcome guests. Now that we are in the full swing of the holidays, roadways are full of eager shoppers in search of the perfect gift, and homes are abuzz with preparations for family gatherings. The crisp mornings prompt more of an effort to rise, as we quickly transition to layered clothing and begin our mornings with a warm mug in hand. During this season of comfort, we’re …

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Industry Voiceslightingsignagevendors

The Silent Partner

by Katie Lee

— By Corey Perez — Why the world’s biggest brands trust us with their voice. There is a singular, electric moment in the life of a commercial development project. It happens just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, when the construction dust has settled and the final punch list is cleared. It is the moment the switch is flipped. Suddenly, a pylon ignites against the twilight. A channel letter set glows with a precise, brand-specific hue. In that instant, a building transforms into a destination. For the …

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facilities managementIndustry Voicespaintingrestaurantsvendors

Fresh Perspective

by Katie Lee

— By Rich Kilgannon — How retail and restaurant facility managers are leveraging tech-enabled painting partners to streamline projects and level up customer service. First impressions matter for restaurants and retail businesses. For restaurants, we know that customers eat with their eyes first. Before they ever see a plate of food, they will see the exterior of your building as they enter the restaurant. They will notice the entryway before speaking with the hostess. And they will take in the general atmosphere before they are ever seated. The same is …

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Industry Voicesparking lotsproperty managementvendors

Crack Attack

by Katie Lee

— By Charles Clevidence — Why asphalt crack sealing is the most cost-effective preventive maintenance strategy. Crack sealing is the process of applying a specialized rubberized sealant into cracks in asphalt pavement to prevent water, debris and chemicals from penetrating the surface and damaging the base and subbase layers. It serves as the pavement’s first line of defense against deterioration and can significantly extend the service life of the asphalt. This treatment is most effective when performed early — while cracks are still small, typically a quarter-inch and wider, and …

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