Industry Voices

Grease Happens

by Katie Lee October 14, 2026

— 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 …

October 14, 2026

facilities management Industry Voices restaurants software/technology vendors

Harness the Power

by Katie Lee October 7, 2026

— 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 …

October 7, 2026

Industry Voices Product Spotlight restaurants software/technology vendors

Get in the Game

by Katie Lee September 30, 2026

— 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 …

September 30, 2026

green news Industry Voices kitchen exhaust/grease control restaurants roofing vendors

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 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

construction and design Industry Voices restaurants

Laying the Groundwork

by Katie Lee July 17, 2026

— By David Shove-Brown — As brands prepare for national expansion, they should partner with architects and interior designers to facilitate a more seamless, successful approach. Growing a brand into a nationally-franchised chain begins from the bottom up. Everyone has to start somewhere, and for many of the top fast-casual restaurant concepts in America, that means starting small. Every move a restaurateur makes when developing a concept has to be intentional and aligned with their goals for scaling the business. While branding is a foundational element of successful business practice, …

July 17, 2026

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