Features

— By Gary Glick — Top 3 lease provisions negotiated by landlords and tenants.   Almost a year into this pandemic, retailers are still facing uncertainty in light of the recent spike of COVID-19 cases accompanied by a new wave of lockdowns and regulations across the nation. Eager to protect themselves from ever-changing governmental restrictions and closures, retail tenants, whether traditional retailers, restaurants, fitness centers or theaters, are now requesting a variety of specific lease provisions in almost every newly negotiated retail lease. In addition, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, …

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— By Jennifer Wolanik — How COVID-19 PPE compliance and sustainability can work together.   Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in restaurants and retailers is surging in order to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and to keep patrons and staff safe. As a result, businesses are generating even more landfill waste from used PPE, impacting their sustainability image. The impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on the restaurant and retail industry is undeniable as locations across the nation fight to reopen and stay open during …

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— By Kenneth Gruskin, AIA — Coronavirus as a catalyst for innovation in stores and restaurants.   The coronavirus has resulted in a cosmic shift in retail and hospitality. Customers have moved from seeking high-touch retail experiences, extensive product/service selection, and vibrant, extensive menu and dining options/experiences…to staying well. In response, retailers and restauranteurs are now focused on providing efficiency, safety and convenience. This has accelerated the transition from “bricks to clicks” and, with this, many retailers are adapting their physical locations to better accommodate the surrounding population, using these …

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— Interview with Greg Smith —   Sport Clips Haircuts proves how essential its service is with a thriving franchise system of more than 1,800 stores and locations in all 50 states.   As many of us realized very soon into the pandemic, it’s easy to argue that hair salons are essential services. Nevertheless, like other hair salons around the country, Sport Clips Haircuts was forced to close its more than 1,800 locations during the spring shutdown. By October, nearly all had reopened and, as we continue to navigate the …

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— By Tom Szafranski — Managing energy efficiency in a commercial kitchen.   Energy efficiency can often be an overlooked component of commercial foodservice equipment; in reality, an energy-efficient unit is not only better for the environment, but better for the bottom line for the owner/operator. According to ENERGY STAR®, the EPA’s program to promote and certify energy efficiency, restaurants use around 5 to 7 times more energy than any other commercial facility. Additionally, energy costs for commercial foodservice establishments — such as restaurants, hotels and quick-service eateries — make …

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— By Mark Timmons — The 101 on UV-C lighting.   Fall and winter present a new challenge in restaurant and facility management with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic impacting businesses around the world and now it’s flu season. Taking a look back, several months ago, in-person dining felt like an overwhelming hurdle. Reopening a retail business seemed daunting. Yet we did it. As we turn to stabilizing business, in some parts of the United States al fresco dining is done. It’s simply too cold outside for outdoor dining. With the …

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— By Jessica Schultz — Don’t slip up this winter and let your patrons down.   Preventing and managing slip-and-fall accidents at your locations is just as important as all other exterior and interior maintenance items. Being in the middle of winter, the main concern right now is slippery snow and ice, as well as unavoidable hazards underneath the snow and ice. In areas without snow, handling and fixing property defects is important year-round. There are many key things to consider when managing risks on your properties and preventing injuries …

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— By Anthony Dilenno — Balancing economic and environmental responsibility.   For restaurants and retailers, COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of business. With so many critical issues that have risen to the top of the list of concerns, recycling programs tend to fall to the back burner as companies focus on economic survival. However, while COVID-19 (and a drop in scrap commodities prices) has driven up recycling costs for some items, prioritizing recycling of high-quality commodities still provides better value than sending trash to the landfill. America is facing a …

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— By Richard Boothman — Increasing winter heating efficiency.   Restaurants, retail outlets and shopping centers face plenty of efficiency challenges with heating during the winter. There are, however, easy tweaks, procedures at startup and specialized equipment that can save energy, reduce costs and improve the lifespan of the HVAC system. While oversizing and under-sizing are also common problems, there are ways to minimize their negative effects. A key step to take early on is to make sure the building is pressurized so that it’s not pulling out more conditioned …

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— Interview with Tim Welsh, Chief Development Officer — QDOBA was already making key changes prior to the pandemic.   With a variety of smaller floor plans and a revamped digital suite already in the works pre-COVID, QDOBA Mexican Eats was on the right track — little did it know — to have the best possible chance to weather a global pandemic. Today, the Mexican fast-casual franchise continues with plans to open 30 new restaurants before year end and to have 1,000 open restaurants within the next 5 years. With …

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