Industry Voices

The Retail Comeback

by Katie Lee July 5, 2023

— Interview with Tom Real — How restaurants and retail stores can capitalize on the post-pandemic revival. Although brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants were among the real estate sectors that suffered the most during the pandemic, these sectors also came roaring back as the crisis subsided. Owners of retail and restaurant properties are now looking for enticing amenities and engaging experiences that will pique investor and customer interest. We spoke with Tom Real, vice president of engineering and preconstruction at OTL, a leader in water features, rockwork and themed environments, about …

July 5, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants

Support Local

by Katie Lee June 29, 2023

— By Andrew Munday — What’s next after ghost kitchens? Restaurants are expanding their reach with a new business model: a partnership with ‘Local Kitchens.’ The restaurant industry has evolved rapidly over the last decade, with much of this evolution accelerating since the pandemic. We’ve seen new technologies emerge with consumer behaviors evolving in tandem. These changes have forced restaurant founders to adapt, pushing them to seek out new partnerships for expansion and to explore new business models emerging within the industry. When a restaurant is successful, the owners face …

June 29, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants retailers vendors

Next Generation

by Katie Lee June 16, 2023

— By Michael Spataro — Why intelligent automation will be key for successful workforce management in 2023 and beyond. Throughout 2022, many businesses were left scrambling to fill shifts, properly serve customers and attract and retain hourly employees. In 2023, businesses in the retail, hospitality and restaurant industries will need to find new ways to manage their hourly workforce, find ways to streamline their labor operations and operate more effectively — while also delivering a better experience for their frontline employees and customers. The solution: intelligent automation powered by …

June 16, 2023

franchise development Industry Voices restaurants

Lending Your Expertise

by Katie Lee June 7, 2023

— By Jon McClure — Responsible, creative financing supporting QSRs — how to find success in a challenging economy. How is it that with high inflation and high costs of borrowing, many QSRs owners continue to manage successful buyouts and acquisitions? One answer is creative deal structures in partnership with a responsible lender. Inflation — while beginning to ease — is still at levels not seen since the 1980s. In an effort to rein in rising prices, the Federal Reserve raised the Federal Funds rate seven times in …

June 7, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants vendors

The Big Squeeze

by Katie Lee May 31, 2023

— By George Lessmeister — 3 areas of margin pressure on restaurants. Operating a restaurant can feel like a roller coaster ride. Revenue and volume plummeted during the pandemic and then climbed back to pre-COVID levels in 2022. Rising costs, however, are now squeezing profit margins. These ups and downs can make it difficult to plan. What’s the outlook for 2023? Supply Chain Challenges While supply chain bottlenecks are easing somewhat, they are expected to continue as a problem for the restaurant industry well into 2023. Some operators are …

May 31, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants retailers software/technology

Essential Convenience

by Katie Lee May 23, 2023

— By Bart Waldeck — Retailers will need to embrace creative innovations in order to thrive in 2023 and beyond. The retail landscape doesn’t look like it used to anymore — from buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) and curbside delivery, to touchless shopping and scan-and-go checkouts, retail shopping trends have dramatically changed, both out of necessity due to the pandemic and evolving consumer preferences. Since COVID-19, retailers have had to shift store layouts, rethink operations and leverage new technologies to offer customers an innovative — and seamless …

May 23, 2023

Industry Voices security/loss prevention software/technology vendors

Threat Detection + Rapid Response

by Katie Lee May 18, 2023

— By Dave Fraser — Protecting facilities with AI gun detection technology. The grim reality in today’s day and age is that active shooting incidents are on the rise. In fact, according to the FBI, active shooter incidents jumped more than 50% in 2021. And as we already saw with multiple mass shooting events in 2022, and 2023, the problem is not going away. This alarming trend is placing increased pressure on facilities to be ready in the event that a mass shooter walks through their doors. …

May 18, 2023

energy management green building/LEED HVAC/R Industry Voices lighting retailers vendors

Connected & Coordinated

by Katie Lee May 10, 2023

— By Mark Danzenbaker — Smarter retail facilities for lower energy costs. Decarbonization. Net zero. ESG. These terms, as part of corporate sustainability efforts, have garnered incredible momentum over the last year. With major climate policy and legislation, a renewed focus on the clean energy transition, growing concern for an overloaded power grid and aggressive goals to reduce environmental impact, one thing is for sure: climate impacts and sustainability are top of mind for every industry. For retail and restaurant facility owners and operators, the negative effects …

May 10, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants retailers

Following OSHA’s Lead

by Katie Lee April 26, 2023

— By Troy Tepp — What restaurants and retailers can learn from common OSHA violations to protect their employees and business. Each October, OSHA — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — releases its annual review of the 10 most frequent violations of the past year. The list provides business owners and managers a reason to slow down and think about the safety of their business — even when the days get too busy. Rather than fear violations or surprise visits, business leaders should embrace the information as a …

April 26, 2023

Industry Voices restaurants

Inflation Response

by Katie Lee April 19, 2023

— By Morven Groves — The benefits of private-equity backing in 2023. It’s no secret that the restaurant industry is facing a significant challenge in the form of inflation, which has led to increased costs on everything from labor to food and beverages. In response, many companies have taken one, if not several, price raises over the last 18 months or so. While industry sales remained positive overall at the end of 2022, an estimated 95% of those sales went to offsetting the increased cost of labor and goods. …

April 19, 2023

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