People and businesses across the United States are bracing for what could be the most active hurricane season on record. Forecasts predict that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season alone is predicted to have five major hurricanes — those of Category 3 or greater, with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour. Compare this to 2023, when there were only three major hurricanes in the United States. The potential for storm damage to homes and businesses is greater in 2024’s especially active hurricane season. “While the development of technology …
parking lots
— By Jeremy Johnson — The case for solar-powered signage in parking lots. In today’s competitive retail and hospitality landscape, every aspect of a business must be optimized to create a positive and memorable customer experience. Although the parking lot usually represents the first interaction a customer has with an organization, it is often overlooked, and one crucial element is signage. Retailers, restaurants and property managers can significantly improve their parking lots by incorporating signage that is solar-powered, reaping a multitude of benefits that extend beyond mere aesthetics. In this …
— By Joe Haugen — What retailers need to know about the push toward electrification. There’s been a great deal of conversation related to electrification in the last several years, as people look for ways to reduce their footprint while still powering their homes, businesses and lives. Put simply, electrification refers to replacing technologies and processes that use fossil fuels with electrically powered alternatives. These replacements are typically more efficient, reducing energy demand and are likely to have a massive impact on emissions as electricity generation is decarbonized. While the …
Oak Brook, Ill. — National parking lot contractor Let’s Pave, as well as its commercial roofing division, Let’s Roof, have recently launched the VIBE Women’s Empowerment Group. Established by Lana Halzel, business development manager, and Ashley Kuzlik, project coordinator, VIBE provides a platform for female colleagues to network, share experiences and support each other personally and professionally. “Paving and roofing are male-dominated industries,” says Halzel. “Let’s Pave and Let’s Roof have a unique advantage in that our team is 42% women and counting. The ladies in our organization bring valuable …
How to Prepare for the Inevitable Refresh or Remodel
It’s going to happen, and any quick-service restaurant (QSR) owner-operator knows it. Sometime not too far in the future, they’ll need a refresh or remodel of their properties. There’s no getting out of it. Here are some hints from two project managers from MaintenX, a provider of HVAC&R, plumbing, electrical, roofing, construction and general contracting for multisite retailers, restaurants, healthcare, multifamily and other industries. They cover key topics like assembling the correct refresh or remodel team, managing the process and keeping projects on track in the face of potential delays, with a …
Bridgeview, Ill. — Rose Paving has acquired Marathon Solutions Group, LLC. Located just North of Houston, Marathon is a pavement maintenance company with a successful history completing projects throughout the state of Texas. Rose Paving is a premier pavement services provider, based in the Chicago area, with facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Connecticut. All members of the Marathon management team will remain with the company moving forward. “We have worked closely with [Marathon owner] Zach [Lovett] and his team …
— By Alicia Chandler — Franchise remodeling for maximum benefits. If you’ve been notified that your franchisor is requiring you to remodel your restaurant, you may be thinking of the headaches you’re likely to encounter. While it’s true that remodeling a franchise restaurant comes with challenges, it can have big payoffs in terms of increased sales. Planning for challenges can help you manage any difficulties that do arise and maximize the benefits to come. Why Remodel? Outside of the obvious reason — the franchisor requires it — remodeling can lead …
Los Angeles — EVgo Inc., one of the nation’s largest public fast-charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), will install new fast-charging stations in the Midwest in an expanded partnership with Meijer, a regional grocery retailer. The new EVgo stations will be built in Ohio and feature up to six stalls at select Meijer locations, equipped with high-power 350kW chargers so that EV drivers can quickly charge and get back on the road. The extended partnership builds upon EVgo and Meijer’s existing relationship and will help increase access to public charging …
Western Specialty Contractors Restores Rooftop Parking Deck at Luxury Mall in Palm Beach
St. Louis — Western Specialty Contractors’ Fort Lauderdale, Fla., branch has completed restoration of the rooftop parking deck at The Esplanade shopping mall in Palm Beach, Fla. The project took 5 months. Located at 150 Worth Ave. just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, the luxury retail destination is home to some of the world’s most sought-after luxury brands including Carolina Herrera, Akris, Pucci, Hublot, Lugano Diamonds and Saks Fifth Avenue. Its on-site parking facility supports surrounding businesses, restaurants, hotels, beach visitors and events. Western’s craftsmen began work to restore …
— By Rich McElwain — Enhancing retail security through license plate recognition (LPR). In an era of rapidly evolving technology, security is a top concern for retailers to proactively protect physical assets, employees and customers from potential threats. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2022 Retail Security Survey, retailers attributed their greatest portion of shrink — a whopping 37% — to external theft. In addition, retailers saw a 26.5% increase in Organized Retail Crime (ORC) incidents over the past year, representing $94.5 billion in losses. The landscape of retail …