— By Steve Smith — Start of spring is go-time for facility managers to assess and repair winter roof damage and prepare for spring showers. With the start of spring, facility managers of commercial buildings across the country are advised to immediately inspect their roofing to assess damage from the winter months and make necessary repairs before the showers of spring begin. Commercial roofing service providers recommend taking advantage of this window of opportunity between winter and spring to avoid costly repairs resulting from neglect. In many cases, …
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— By William Gagnon — Hand dryers and restroom maintenance work well together. These days, it’s increasingly uncommon to walk into a commercial restroom and find paper towels as the sole option for drying hands after washing. Especially in a larger, busier facility, one is bound to see at least one electric hand dryer on the wall — evidence of the number of retailers, restaurants and other businesses worldwide that are making a sustainably smart switch. High-efficiency hand dryers not only provide unique benefits but address virtually all …
— By Katie Lee — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened more than 100 restaurants each year for the past 3 years — and continues to grow on pace to reach 1,000 locations by 2021. When Retail & Restaurant Facility Business last interviewed Tropical Smoothie Cafe (TSC) more than 3 years ago, we were talking about its milestone 500th location. Now, with more than 830 cafes open — 124 opened in 2019 alone — the fast-growing concept remains on track to reach 1,000 locations in 2021 and 1,500 locations …
— By Blake Callahan — Essential steps to plan for success. There are many phases of a remodel project depending on the size of the project: planning, budgeting, demolition, construction/build-back and cleanup. There’s also a great deal of questions that go with each of these phases. I’m going to focus on the ever-important budgeting aspect of the remodel phase. It’s been determined that nearly 2/3 of companies surveyed did not make expected profit and three or four large budget fails is enough to put most companies out of business. …
— By Dr. Andrae Holliday, Sr. Accessibility requirements for your retail and restaurant parking lots. According to ADA.gov, more than 50 million Americans — 18% of our population — have disabilities. Each one is a potential customer. Studies show that once people with disabilities find a business where they can shop or get services in an accessible manner, they become repeat customers. Are your parking lots ADA compliant? If you’re unsure, you could be losing business or — worse still — facing lawsuits and fines. Since its inception …
— By Eric Brownlee — Is your landscape management program doing all it can to highlight your brand? How do you see the landscapes on your properties? Do you consider landscaping as a brand asset, or is it simply something you must maintain to avoid violation notices or adhere to landlord requirements? Often a facility’s landscape is overlooked, expectations are not aligned, and the overall asset is not providing all the possible benefits. One key benefit not to be overlooked is curb appeal. When dining out, you may …
— By Jaron Srain — How to tell if your parking lot meets commercial standards. The first thing a client sees when they pull up to your business is not your sign, your landscaping or even your building. It’s your parking lot. You don’t want your new client driving over a bumpy, faded driveway only to step in a giant pothole full of water when they park the car. Believe it or not, the quality of your parking lot makes a lasting impression on your business. That’s why …
— By Trent Limban — The right products for cost-efficient landscape curb appeal. Maintaining your landscaping is an important factor in keeping your customers coming back as well as attracting new customers. The best and easiest way to maintain the landscaping for each of your stores is to pick products, such as mulch, plants and fertilizer, that are low maintenance and that work best in the climate where the store is located. This will ensure cost-effective solutions that are long term and low maintenance. Having picture perfect landscaping …
— By Alex Tostado — Yankee Candle debuts its new store concept, “World Home Fragrance,” to create a personalized fragrance experience. In summer 2019, The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. and FRCH Nelson sat down to discuss how to enhance the way consumers apply fragrance in their homes. Judy Jasper, director of retail activation for The Yankee Candle Co. Inc., and Mari Miura, senior interior designer of FRCH Nelson, worked closely to roll out a new theme for the retailer, World Home Fragrance, at Natick Mall near Boston on …
— By Carmine J. Esposito — 10 waste management myths that cost you time and money — and how to choose the right company for your needs. Commercial waste management often bears a reputation for being costly, time consuming and complex to manage across multiple locations. While this can be true if you work with some companies, or try to handle the job yourself, not all waste management providers are the same. However, most facilities managers and purchasing directors don’t possess the in-depth waste industry experience to realize …