Lauren Coughlin

Chicago, Lombard

Managing Editor at Foodservice Equipment Reports

Writer/editor. Wifer & bad joke teller to Joe. Mama & personal chef to Desmond and J.J. Herder/snuggler of Pippa and Roohi, our rather-wild former street dogs.

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Articles

Get Your Microwave Search Moving

1 month ago | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

At first glance, today’s microwaves may look nearly the same as prior years’ models. It’s true that they still range from 1,000W to 3,200W in power, and their aesthetics remain similar. But it’s what’s inside the latest microwaves that counts. The newest models step up a microwave’s cooking game by adding steam and tech-forward features that both boost convenience and add menu options.
What to Expect at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show

1 month ago | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

No matter the direction your business is headed, an efficient starting point is the National Restaurant Association Show—at which equipment innovation is a cornerstone. The 2025 event, slated for May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, is set to include 2,000 exhibitors, roughly a quarter of which will be equipment manufacturers, according to Caitlin Rodgers, senior director of marketing at Informa Connect Foodservice Group.
Connecting the Dots: A Look at Connected Kitchen Solutions

Mar 4, 2025 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

When it comes to being on the same page in a kitchen, paper checklists once reigned supreme. But, as third-party kitchen connectivity providers continue to innovate, operators have the chance to do the same—in some cases, regardless of the age or make of their equipment. Today, a host of tech-savvy solutions can automate, analyze and ease several back-of-house tasks, tackling efficiency hiccups—both in equipment performance and in terms of labor—and putting money back in operators’ pockets.
Top Tips for Navigating Global Growth

Mar 4, 2025 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

During an uncertain economic and political moment domestically, investing in a larger global footprint may seem like risky business. But, operators told FER, international growth is actually among the best ways to increase both brand awareness and profitability right now. “This is our moment to seize the opportunity and create an enduring impact across borders,” says Antonio Bautista, chief international development officer at Dave & Buster’s.
Highlights from The NAFEM Show

Mar 4, 2025 | fermag.com | Allison Rezendes |Lauren Coughlin

Product smarts were on full display Feb. 26-28 at The NAFEM Show in Atlanta, as foodservice manufacturers showed off their latest rollouts. An estimated 600-plus exhibitors and 20,000 attendees descended upon the Georgia World Congress Center over the three-day show. Here’s a bit of what we saw:More compact footprints. Expansive as a show floor may be, the same is not true in many of today’s kitchens—and manufacturers know it.
To Have & To Hold: Your Guide to Hot Holding Cabinets

Jan 14, 2025 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

There’s little guesswork when it comes to a hot holding cabinet’s function. “It gives you the ability to make the food in advance, but then keep it at serving temperature without continuing to cook it or drying it out,” summarizes one manufacturer. As straightforward as it may be, makers have worked to differentiate their units via digital controls, insulation improvements and more.
How To Spec: Finding Your Locker

Jan 14, 2025 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

Today, many on-the-go consumers want a way to easily place an order, then grab it quickly and independently. Food lockers—temperature-controlled storage areas where customers and delivery drivers can pick up preordered food—became popular during COVID, and manufacturers have continued to innovate, with one unit’s through-the-wall, outdoor capabilities marking one newer addition to the category.
Foodservice Operators Share 2025 Outlooks

Jan 14, 2025 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

Tune in as operators share 2025 perspectives as part of FER’s annual state of the industry coverage. MICHELLE WICKHAM Vice president of national operationsScooter’s Coffee, Omaha, Neb. “At Scooter’s Coffee, 2025 is all about redefining operational excellence with bold, guest-focused service. By streamlining drive-thru interactions, enhancing digital accuracy and empowering our franchisees, we aim to use data and insights to set new standards for customer satisfaction, speed, quality and connection.
AI In Action: Texas State Gets a Speedy Assist

Nov 1, 2024 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

At Texas State’s UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, artificial intelligence has proven to be a winning addition among a crowd of fans. This school year, Chartwells Higher Education installed two self-checkout systems that use AI and computer vision at Cats Corner, a new market offering beverages and packaged snacks.
Now Preheating: The NAFEM Show 2025

Oct 28, 2024 | fermag.com | Lauren Coughlin

Atlanta will be dripping with even more Southern hospitality next year when The NAFEM Show comes to town Feb. 26-28. As of press time, 566 exhibitors and about 20,000 attendees are expected to flock to the Georgia World Congress Center for the biennial get-together. Once there, whether decision-makers are seriously shopping for new products/providers, softly perusing for innovations or somewhere in between, the expansive show floor will have no shortage of hospitality solutions at the ready.