SQUEEZED TO PERFECTION

COMMERCIAL KITCHENS

have some ownership of the brand; that it’s a partnership. If you keep that in mind as you design, you will naturally develop environments that draw people in.

What is today's consumer looking for?

Customization—and speed of service are extremely important. With the internet and online ordering, there are so many ways to get food and get it quickly. No one has patience for waiting in line when they can stay at home and get what they want at the touch of a button. Technology is rapidly changing people’s expectations, ignore that at your own peril.

In every Lemonade store, the front counter is the beating heart of the entire restaurant. Everything starts there and the rest is built around that piece.

functionality so that critical component lends itself to speed of service, quality of design and quality of presentation.

Describe a typical day.

There is no typical day, but the first part of my day is usually focused on scheduling vendors and installs, and contacting landlords and city officials to ensure that our ongoing projects are proceeding smoothly. Then I’ll spend the rest of my time dedicated to design development and prototype design.

Tell us what makes Lemonade so unique?

What's the biggest item on your to-do list right now? I spend most of my time on improving the presentation and efficiency of the front counter to find the right combination of design and

The variety and quality of our food at Lemonade is wholly unique to anything else in the industry. I think we’ve also done a great job at creating an approachable, relatable brand that resonates with our customers. CK

One-on-One with... » Brady Titus

Director of Design & Construction, Lemonade Restaurant Group

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Even after all these years, there is still nothing quite like standing in the middle of a newly completed project and watching people come in for the first time. It’s truly exhilarating.

What was the best advice you ever received?

A wise and very successful architect once told me that if you create designs that only please your own needs or ego, you’re doing your clients a disservice. Always design to improve your clients’ business based on their own understanding of who they are, not your own perceptions.

Name the three strongest traits any leader should have and why.

Always hire people who are smarter than you, regardless of their experience, because smart people will learn to do the job. Give credit for your achievements to people who are working for you because they need to understand that

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their contribution was key to the team’s success, and they probably did most of the work anyway. Finally, let them teach and manage up, because a know-it-all manager is bound for obsolescence.

What’s the best thing a client ever said to you? The best thing was probably, “I’m really glad you thought of that.”

What’s your favorite vacation spot and why?

Spain. The combination of the best food in the world and the breadth of culture, history and architecture make it absolutely irresistible for me.

How do you like to spend your down time?

My wife and I have a 17-month-old baby girl, and most of the time all I want to do is be with them. I’ve recently taken up gardening, and once and a while I try to write music because I’m convinced I will be a rock star—someday.

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — NOVEMBER : DECEMBER 2018