Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

Features

construction and designIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurantsstore closings

Rethinking Real Estate

by Katie Lee

— 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 …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry VoicesProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologysupply chainvendors

Growth of Grocery AI

by Katie Lee

— 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 …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurants

Liquid Theater

by Katie Lee

— By Rick Marencic — The rise of the ‘mocktail’ movement and how it impacts restaurant bar design and facility operations. Consumer awareness of the benefits of low alcohol consumption has increasingly permeated the market — influencing everything from product offerings to how restaurants, bars and entertainment venues are designed. Retail surveys show that sales of non-alcoholic wines, beers and spirits grew from $8 billion in 2018 to over $11 billion in 2022, according to IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record). This paradigm shift is largely driven by evolving health …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voiceslightingrestaurantsvendors

Lighten the Mood

by Katie Lee

— By Brett Andersen — How to transform your dining experience through architectural lighting design. Lighting can transform a diner’s evening. A restaurant’s lighting should be functional while also providing the right ambiance. Hiring a professional lighting designer ensures a cohesive approach that balances aesthetics and technical considerations, including LED technology and control systems. To better understand what makes for a successful design, our firm conducted a study of the top 50 restaurants in New York City and came up with the following expert tips so you, too, can use …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voicesparking lotsvendors

Pavement Prep

by Katie Lee

— By Chuck Jeffries — Paving the way for better facility management: why proactive maintenance is a game changer. In retail and restaurant facilities, paved surfaces like parking lots, walkways and service areas often take a backseat to other priorities — until there’s a problem. But these areas are more than just asphalt and concrete. They’re critical to the customer experience, employee safety and day-to-day operations. Too often, maintenance becomes a reactive exercise — patching up damage after it’s already created headaches. The smarter approach? Planning ahead with proactive maintenance …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Dana Russell quote from article on snow and retail and restaurant business
Content Partnerexterior services/landscapingfacilities managementFeaturesrestaurantsretailersroofingsnow and ice management

Snow Strategy Starts in Summer: Eight Tips for a Safe and Successful Winter

by Sarah Daniels

For restaurants and retailers, customer service doesn’t stop at the front door. It extends to the sidewalks and parking lots. During the winter months, prompt snow and ice clearing is essential for ensuring guest safety and maintaining smooth business operations. “A strategic snow and ice removal program is critical for mitigating safety hazards and preventing downtime and lost revenue,” says Dana Russell, vice president of exterior operations at MCS & Chain Store Maintenance. “Having a program in place as far in advance as possible helps ensure your business can keep …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazineremodelsrestaurants

Owning Its Success

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Founder Peter Cancro looks back on 50 years of Jersey Mike’s ownership — and what the next 50 could bring. When he was 17, it was a very good year for Peter Cancro. The high school senior was president of his class. He was on track to study law and political science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; he might even play football there. He’d worked part-time at the local sandwich shop since he was 14. Summers were a blast because the sub shop, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Schaphorst AI HVAC Maintenance quote
Content Partnerenergy managementfacilities managementFeaturesHVAC/RIndustry ContentMaintenXrestaurantsretailers

Will AI Improve HVAC Performance?

by Sarah Daniels

Given the high cost of purchasing and running heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, restaurant and retail operators want their HVAC units operating efficiently to minimize utility bills and extend the working life of system components. In as little as a few years, however, business owners may have a powerful new tool to help meet those goals. This digital aid would not only monitor HVAC performance and alert owners to perform preventive maintenance or needed repairs, but may also suggest subtle operational adjustments or equipment substitutions to boost efficiency and cost …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentIndustry Voicesrestaurants

The Future of Franchising

by Katie Lee

— By Mohaimina Haque — Building success through partnership and innovation. The franchising landscape continues to evolve, shaped by changing consumer preferences, technological advancement and economic dynamics. At Tony Roma’s, we are meeting these changes head-on while staying true to the principles that have made our brand a global success for over 50 years. Our approach to growth is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: our franchisees’ success drives our success. This isn’t just a saying — it’s the foundation of our business model and shapes every decision we …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementfacilities managementgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry VoicesProduct Spotlightsoftware/technologyvendors

Emerging Energy Technologies

by Katie Lee

— By James Walton — Emerging trends & technologies in energy management that retail and restaurant businesses need to know about. Energy management is critical to any multi-site business. Rising energy costs and inefficiency directly affect the bottom line and sustainability goals. Businesses should constantly be looking for ways to improve their energy management practices. In recent years, significant technological advancements have revolutionized how energy is managed and consumed. These emerging energy management technologies deliver more efficiency and offer greater control and visibility into a business’s energy usage. Let us …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts