When ranking the maintenance and repair challenges associated with everyday commercial real estate spaces — especially those that could just as easily be owned by smaller investors as by institutional capital — putting restaurants at the top of the list is a pretty easy argument to make. The issues that arise in retail stores or even offices usually aren’t as messy or varied as those that emerge in food-and-beverage operations, points out Bill Schaphorst, vice president of business development at MaintenX, a Tampa, Fla.-based company that provides “curb-to-roof” facility maintenance …
plumbing
Colt: Signature Vendor Spotlight
— Interview with Tracy Gaw — R&R: Where is Colt based, and how long has the company been in business? Tracy Gaw: March 2023 until the present — so 1 year, 10 months. Colt is based in Dallas. R&R: Please describe its connection to MaintenX. Gaw: Colt has shared ownership and shared executive leadership with MaintenX. Our vision, principles, processes and overall mission are in line with MaintenX. R&R: You are the new vice president of service at Colt — how long have you been with the company? Gaw: I …
— By Josh Miller — Preventive maintenance measures before disaster strikes. As a business owner, you’re always thinking about how to scale to the next level. You’re focused on what to do to improve daily operations, outshine the competition and attract more customers. But amid all of the strategic thinking and execution, one key aspect that often gets overlooked is planning for the worst-case scenario. In all my years in the restoration industry, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these events can be whether in retail spaces or restaurants. One moment …
Winter-Proofing Your Business: Essential Steps to Prepare Restaurants, Retail Stores for the Cold
Winter storms and plunging temperatures present special challenges to restaurants and retailers. To keep customers and employees comfortable until spring, operators should act now to winterize their properties and perform preventive maintenance before a crisis occurs. “When you know that winter is coming, it’s always better to be proactive than reactive,” says Michael Garcia, regional service manager in the Dallas office of Colt Facility Maintenance, a maintenance service provider. Winterization should begin before the cold sets in and while there is still time to address vulnerabilities discovered in buildings or …
The Magic of Balancing Maintenance Costs
Running a retail or restaurant facility requires balancing costs, maintenance and operational uptime — a challenge that is further compounded when dealing with multiple stores. Facility owners and operators face the challenge of keeping their properties in top condition while managing expenses and minimizing disruptions to business. In the retail and restaurant industries, any downtime at all can be costly. A malfunctioning bathroom or a broken HVAC system can lead to customer dissatisfaction, lost revenue and temporary closures. Preventative maintenance and proactive scheduling can address these concerns by managing costs, staggering …
— By Sharon Cho and Justin Shreiner — Selecting optimal water heating systems to meet the needs of full-service restaurants. Full-service restaurants are harsh environments for commercial water heaters. They operate for long hours, often from early morning to midnight, with continuous 140° hot water necessary for food prep, cooking and cleaning. This constant demand places a significant strain on water heating equipment and requires units that can withstand heavy use and provide consistent performance. For this reason, selecting the proper water heater is necessary to keep restaurants operational, remain …
Eatontown, N.J. — New Jersey-based HVAC, electrical and plumbing services provider Total Comfort Group (TCG) has completed three new hires at the executive level. Jana Coyle, Christopher Soto and Timothy Bruton have joined the company as senior business development manager, northeast service manager and manager of strategic partnerships, respectively. Coyle’s tenure in the industry includes experience in facility maintenance, construction and remodeling services, with business-to-business (B2B) sales experience in Fortune 500 companies. Soto, overseeing comprehensive operations throughout the Northeast region in his new role, will focus on responsive service, streamlined maintenance …
Keep Facility Maintenance on Track
Business owners have a lot on their plate; it’s a full-time job to survive in the ultra-competitive fields of restaurants and retail. In this challenging environment, facilities management often takes a back seat. Yet, diligent maintenance not only showcases a business’s care for its premises but also fosters opportunities for success by attracting clientele. Plus, a proactive maintenance strategy can identify necessary repairs long before they escalate into significant issues. A clean, well-maintained facility can bring customers to a store or restaurant, says MaryAnn Velez, a sales executive at Colt …
Find the Right Maintenance Model for Your Business
Physical maintenance in the retail industry is as unavoidable as taxes and sometimes as expensive. To keep net operating income (NOI) and uptime as high as possible, building owners, operations groups and retail tenants need optimum strategies to ensure work happens when needed. For many, having a self-performing third-party maintenance partner — one with the in-house resources to do the necessary work — is an efficient and economical move. There are two business rationales for continuous maintenance, which can include services like carpentry; plumbing; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); …
Eatontown, N.J. — Total Comfort Group, a national industry leader in HVAC/R, electrical and plumbing systems, has promoted Christian Tunis to client success manager. In his new role, Tunis will leverage his extensive experience and expertise to drive exceptional client satisfaction and retention as the company continues to grow nationally. A valued employee since 2018, Tunis previously served as senior account manager. “We are thrilled to promote Christian Tunis to the role of client success manager,” says Daniel Eberenz, vice president of operations. “His proven track record of leadership and …