Elevating Brick & Mortar

Bill discusses the rise of smart facilities, the importance of expanding your network, and why the retail apocalypse isn’t as close as everyone says it is.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Bill Yanek, CEO of ConnexFM. ConnexFM is an association that empowers multi-site facilities manageme...

Wing describes his own genuine, unique, and effective way of standing out while building his brand.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Wing Lam, Co-Founder and Owner of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. Wahoo’s is a fast-casual taco chain that serves tacos full of Asian and Brazilian influences, with over...

Myriah explains the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and adaptation in overcoming industry challenges. She emphasizes the value of integration and partnership, as well as cohesive teamwork across departments and with vendor partners.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Myriah King...

Tom discusses the retail industry’s adaptability to changes like the rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer demands. He also notes, however, that a major challenge is a lack of supply to meet the demand for physical retail space, due to minimal new development.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we ta...

Anjee shares insights from Colliers’ consumer studies. She describes the shift from traditional shopping habits to a more digital and socially driven approach, and notes the importance of integrating online and offline shopping experiences in order to cater to modern consumer preferences. Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance....

Wade discusses the importance of seamless integration between physical and digital experiences. He describes a future where tech enhances operational efficiency, while preserving the people-first nature of hospitality. Wade envisions a future where every channel for accessing food is not only more convenient, but still preserves the fundamental desire for human connection around a table.  Welcome...

This year, ServiceChannel commemorates its 25th anniversary. To celebrate, we’ve put together 25 of the most interesting tips for facilities transformation from some of our guests over the past three seasons.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we’ll review some of the most compelling insights from our g...

Let’s debunk the myth about higher education and success: it’s important to promote the trades as a viable and meaningful career. Frankie also explains how a heavy focus on talent made his business more successful than ever. On today’s episode, we talk with Frankie Costa, CEO of Helios Service Partners. Helios Service Partners–the result of the nation’s top independent HVAC-R businesses coming tog...

Jackie discusses the often-overlooked value of contractors, as well as the PR challenges facing the facilities industry. It’s critical to emphasize the importance of trades, and to attract talent with not only wages, but top-notch company culture. Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar, A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Jackie Au...

Caitlin describes how the hospitality industry can innovate for the guest of the future. Her insight on building true connections between locations, guests, and locals contains wisdom for leaders in all consumer-facing industries.  Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance.  Today, we’ll hear from Caitlin Wischermann Ornitz, VP of...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. Brands everywhere are struggling to compete during a shortage of skilled workers. By making skill and trade training more accessible, we can start to address one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Today we’ll hear Doug Donovan, CEO and Founder of Interplay Learning. Interplay is the glo...

Allison talks about why loyalty looks like hospitality, the importance of beautiful spaces in retail healthcare, and how to achieve brand consistency across your locations. Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. A good facilities team enables consistent, elevated experiences, no matter how fast or big your company gets. On toda...

Today we’ll hear from Joshua Witte, Director of Energy, Sustainability, and ESG at Dollar Tree Stores. Dollar Tree is a Fortune 150 company and one of the nation’s leading value retailers. They offer a wide selection of products at extremely competitive prices. At Dollar Tree, Joshua brings his experience in facilities/construction management and consulting, store and fixture design to drive susta...

Season 3 is launching soon – and we are leveling up! Check us out in full video on Youtube to really get to know our guests - some of the most inspiring thought leaders in the space. They’ll join Sid to discuss the crucial role that Facilities, Construction and Operations play in designing and delivering a compelling customer experience. Tune in to learn innovative ways to plan and care for your b...

In Season 2 of Elevating Brick and Mortar, many interviews discussed tech advancements that elevate the customer experience. Today we’re recapping how digital experiences in a physical space make time in a store better. From AI to robotics to drones, all improve operations and deliver a human touch in areas where it matters - customer service. TIMESTAMPS 01:35  – John Ludlow addresses labor shorta...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar, a podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Leigh Pearson, Sr. Director of Facilities, Sustainability, Sourcing, & Procurement at Staples Canada. Staples Canada provides expert knowledge, unique products and innovative services made for the changing needs of today’s entrepreneurs, teachers, parents a...

In this episode of Elevating Brick and Mortar, Sid interviews Mark Warren about how valuable physical spaces are to the entire childcare industry. Mark describes the importance of a well-maintained brick and mortar to establish trust with his clients–parents of young children.  TIMESTAMPS **(00:23) - Mark’s beginnings  **(05:48) - Buildings and brand perception **(09:08) - Mark’s expanding role **...

On today’s episode, we talk with Mike Guinan, Vice President Operations Services at White Castle. White Castle is America's first fast-food hamburger chain, started in 1921. The family-owned business now owns and operates more than 350 restaurants.  Mike Guinan has worked in many roles since he started at White Castle more than 38 years ago. He began behind the counter learning the grill, and even...

Welcome back to Season 2 of Elevating Brick and Mortar! The podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance.  In this episode, we talk with Marco Zanardi, President of Retail Institute Italy. Retail Institute Italy is a non-profit Association Focused in the Marketing at Retail field. Their mission is to promote the culture of the point of purchase and retail business. There, Ma...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.  A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with John Ludlow, VP of Omni Operations at Designer Brands. Designer Brands is a leading footwear and accessories retailer that operates a portfolio of retail concepts with a shared goal of inspiring self-expression. Prior to joining Designer Brands, John led U...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.  A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Deena McKinley, Chief Experience Officer at Papa Gino’s Pizza and D'Angelo's Grilled Sandwiches. Papa Gino’s is a family-owned restaurant chain specializing in traditional thin-crust pizza. D’Angelo’s Grilled Sandwiches is a neighborhood-style sandwich sho...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.  A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Kirk Beaudoin. Kirk is a passionate and personable Facilities Management professional with over 20 years of industry experience across multiple global brands such as J. Crew and Nike and the former president of Connex FM, the Multi-Site Facilities Manageme...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.  A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Morgan Seghin, Facilities Manager for Swarovski. Swarovski creates beautiful crystal-based products of impeccable quality and craftsmanship that bring joy and celebrate individuality. Today this legacy is rooted in sustainability measures across the value...

Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.  A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance. On today’s episode, we talk with Jamie Goldberg, Vice President of Real Estate and Development at One Medical. One Medical relies on people-centered design, smart application of technology, and a team of talented primary care providers to offer a seamless experience that not only saves pa...

On today’s episode, we talk with Chris Walton, Co-CEO of Omni Talk and a Top 100 Retail Influencer. Chris Walton co-founded Omni Talk in 2017 and has quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail. Omni Talk has been read by nearly 4 million on Forbes, with podcasts and videos that consistently rank as one of the most listened to retail outlets within the industry. Chris Walton...