Spring is the ideal time to rejuvenate your restaurant’s ambiance and ensure a spotless environment for your customers. A thorough spring cleaning not only enhances the dining experience but also underscores your commitment to health and safety. At Albemarle Paper Supply, we’re dedicated to providing top-quality products to support your cleaning endeavors. Here are some practical cleaning tasks that should be a part of your regular cleaning schedule and recommended supplies to make your spring cleaning efficient and effective:

1. Deep Clean Dining Areas

• Tables & Chairs: Regularly wipe down surfaces to remove dust and prevent buildup.​

• Floors: Implement a routine of sweeping and mopping to maintain cleanliness.​

• Windows & Blinds: Clean these areas to allow natural light to enhance your space.​

Recommended Products:

• Murphy’s Oil Soap Wood Cleaner: A versatile solution suitable for various surfaces.​

• APS Glass Cleaner: Ideal for streak-free cleaning of windows and delicate surfaces.​

2. Revitalize the Kitchen

• Equipment: Regularly sanitize ovens, grills, and fryers to ensure optimal performance.

• Storage Areas: Organize and clean pantries and refrigerators to maintain order

• Surfaces: Disinfect countertops and cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination.

Recommended Products:

• APS Degreaser: Effectively removes tough grease and grime.​

• Sanitizer Ready-To-Use: Ensures food-contact surfaces are free from harmful bacteria.​

3. Refresh Restrooms

• Fixtures: Clean and disinfect sinks, toilets, and mirrors to maintain hygiene.​

• Floors & Walls: Regularly scrub to remove stains and buildup.​

• Supplies: Keep essentials like hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper well-stocked.​

Recommended Products:

• Disinfectant Aerosol Spray Cans: Eliminate germs and odors effectively.

• Metered Air Freshener Refill: Maintains a pleasant atmosphere for guests.​

4. Enhance Outdoor Spaces

• Patios & Entryways: Sweep and power wash to create a welcoming entrance.​

• Furniture: Clean and inspect for any necessary repairs or replacements.​

Recommended Products:

• APS Supremo All Purpose Cleaner: Designed to tackle dirt and mildew on exterior surfaces.​

• Furniture Polish Aerosol Cleaner: Protects and enhances the appearance of outdoor furnishings.​

5. Maintain HVAC Systems

• Vents & Filters: Clean to improve air quality and system efficiency.​

• System Check: Ensure your HVAC is prepared for the warmer months ahead.​

Recommended Products:

• APS Glass Cleaner: Removes dust from vents and hard-to-reach areas.​

• AJAX All Purpose Cleaner : Extends the life of your HVAC filters.​

Embarking on a comprehensive spring cleaning not only revitalizes your establishment but also sets the stage for a successful season. At Albemarle Paper Supply, we offer a wide range of cleaning solutions to meet your restaurant’s unique needs. Visit our website to explore our products and take advantage of our spring promotions.​

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Here’s to a clean and busy spring season!

Owning a business is difficult. One of the trickiest parts of being an entrepreneur is maintaining your current rate of return while also increasing your revenue. Restaurant owners have a particularly difficult job in order to accomplish this as expansion requires leaving your current restaurant in order to grow and build another location. One way to help reduce the difficulty of this challenge is to pick a good market to expand in as this increases the likelihood of success.

Here are five markets in the greater Charlotte area that have expanding populations, a healthy median income, but are limited in restaurant options available, making them ideal spots to expand an existing restaurant concept or to try something new.

1. Waxhaw, NC (25-30 miles south of Charlotte)

Waxhaw is the third oldest town in Union County when it was chartered in 1889. It has a well kept historic district with many maintained old buildings.

Residential Growth: Population doubled from 9,859 to over 20,000 (100%+), now ~22,000.

Subdivisions like Millbridge (1,000+ homes) raised home prices from $600,000 to $780,000

(2022-2023).

Lack of Restaurants: 20-25 options (one per 900-1,100), one per 2,000-2,500 broader (pop.

50,000+).

Disposable Income: $100,000-$110,000 (county: $88,000).

Why It’s Great: Top-tier growth and incomes with minimal dining, perfect for upscale ventures.

2. Fort Mill, SC (18-20 miles south of Charlotte)

Fort Mill is another old town established in 1873 and has a historic district with buildings from the 1800s. The South Carolina town was originally known for being a textile manufacturing hub, but the primary companies in that industry have left and have been replaced by a more diverse range of businesses and industries.

Residential Growth: Grew from 10,811 to 25,000 (130%+). County up 22% (226,073 to

282,090, 2010-2020).

Developments like Springfield (500+ homes) raised home prices from

$400,000 to $500,000 (2020-2024).

Lack of Restaurants: 50-60 options (one per 400-500), one per 2,000-2,500 broader (pop.

50,000+).

Disposable Income: $85,000-$90,000 (county: $72,000).

Why It’s Great: Explosive growth and high incomes near Charlotte, a traffic magnet with dining

gaps.

3. Kannapolis, NC (30-35 miles northeast of Charlotte)

Like Fort Mill, Kannapolis was historically known for textile manufacturing. Today, there has been massive investment in the North Carolina Research Campus which was a project started in 2008.

Residential Growth: Grew 24.6% (42,625 to 55,000, 2010-2020), now ~55,000.

Developments like Kannapolis Crossing (400+ homes) raised home prices from $230,000 to $310,000 (2020-2024).

Lack of Restaurants: 40-50 options (one per 1,100-1,375), one per 2,000-2,500 broader (pop.

100,000+).

Disposable Income: $65,000-$70,000 (county: $65K-$70K).

Why It’s Great: Strong growth and robust incomes with a dining shortage, enhanced by

Revitalization.

4. Lancaster, SC (35-40 miles south of Charlotte)

Near Waxhaw, Lancaster is an old town with lots of history. Most notably being the town where the US seventh president Andrew Jackson grew up.

Residential Growth: County grew 25% (76,652 to 96,016, 2010-2020), now ~100,000.

Developments like Sun City Carolina Lakes (3,000+ homes) raised home prices from $245,000

to $325,000 (2020-2024).

Lack of Restaurants: 30-35 options (one per 300-350), one per 2,800 county-wide (pop.

100,000).

Disposable Income: $62,000-$75,000 (county: $62,000).

Why It’s Great: Huge growth and a stark dining gap with solid incomes, ideal for mid-range

Options.

5. Denver, NC (25-30 miles northwest of Charlotte)

Denver is a town on the west side of Lake Norman and promotes itself as a quiet little lake town while also still being a hub for business growth as road expansion projects like NC rt 16 from Newton to Charlotte help improve commutes.

Residential Growth: County grew 11% (78,265 to 86,810, 2010-2020), now ~90,000.

Developments like Trilogy Lake Norman (1,300+ homes) raised home prices from $400,000 to

$500,000 (2020-2024).

Lack of Restaurants: 15-20 options (one per 175-233, local pop. 3,500+), one per 1,500-2,000

broader (pop. 20,000-30,000).

Disposable Income: $70,000-$80,000 (county: $58,000).

Why It’s Great: Lake-driven growth and wealth with minimal dining, great for upscale eateries.

Expanding a restaurant is never an easy decision, but choosing the right market can make all the difference. As a supplier to many successful restaurants, we understand the challenges that come with growth, and we hope this list provides valuable insight into high-potential areas around Charlotte. Whether you’re looking to introduce a new concept or bring your existing brand to a fresh audience, these markets offer strong demographics and a clear demand for more dining options. If you’re planning your next move, APS is here to support you with the supplies you need to make your expansion a success!

As someone who talks to restaurant owners every single day, I know firsthand how challenging the past few years have been for the restaurant industry. But as we settle into 2025, I’m excited to share some promising trends (source) that indicate this year is shaping up to be a strong one for growth and opportunity.

One of the biggest areas of expansion is to-go ordering (source). The demand for takeout and delivery continues to surge, with a projected 7.88% compound annual growth rate by 2029. That means restaurants that optimize their packaging and to-go operations will be well-positioned to thrive. At APS, we’re always working to provide high-quality, cost-effective solutions to help you meet this growing demand.

We’re also seeing positive economic shifts that bode well for the industry. Inflation is stabilizing, and interest rates are coming down (source)—both signs that consumer spending should see a boost. In fact, up to 97% of restaurants are planning to expand in 2025 (source). That tells me restaurant owners are optimistic about what’s ahead, and I couldn’t agree more.

At APS, our goal is to help you stay ahead by providing the best paper products, to-go containers, and restaurant essentials to keep your business running smoothly. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your packaging, streamline costs, or prepare for growth, we’re here to support you.

Let’s make 2025 a year of success! If there’s anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Nick

Dear APS Family,

As the holiday season approaches, we at Albemarle Paper Supply want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and express our deepest gratitude for your continued trust and partnership. It has been an incredible year of growth and progress, and none of it would have been possible without you.

A Year of Growth and Expansion

This year, we undertook a major warehouse expansion, a project designed with you in mind. Our new space allows us to stock more products, expand our offerings, and provide you with better quality items at competitive prices. This investment represents our commitment to being a reliable partner for your business, ensuring that we meet your needs with efficiency and excellence.

Building a Stronger Team for You

Behind every order, phone call, and delivery is a dedicated team working tirelessly to provide the best customer service in the industry. This year, we have focused on building and training a team that shares our passion for service and our mission to exceed your expectations. Whether it’s answering a question, resolving an issue, or finding the perfect product for your needs, our team strives to make every interaction a positive one.

A Heartfelt Thank You

At Albemarle Paper Supply, our customers are more than clients; you’re family. We are incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built over the years and for the trust you place in us to support your business. Your loyalty inspires us to continually improve and innovate, and we are excited to serve you even better in the coming year.

As we celebrate the holiday season, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and cherished moments, and may the new year bring continued success and growth for us all.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Albemarle Paper Supply family. Here’s to an even brighter 2025 together!

Nick & John 

Why do restaurants have art and pleasing visual aesthetics? Why do different restaurant brands have particular styles of music playing? Why is it important to be particular about the precise details in a restaurant such as the types of napkins or portioning cups you use? Because we eat with all five of our senses. Generally, we start by eating with our eyes.

All restaurants also have to use disposable products. These products can help with the visual presentation for your customers, which will encourage them to come back again and again.

Here are five ways to improve your business’ visual presentation by making small alterations to the disposable products you purchase:

1. Be particular about your foam to-go containers

Be wary of going ultra-cheap with your foam to-go boxes. There are several ultra-cheap brands for foam boxes, but they oftentimes do not hold up well. They warp, bend, and break. It is more likely going to cost less, in the long run, to go with a sturdier name-brand foam to-go box, such as Ecopax, because you can count on them holding up better for to-go orders and takeout. The increased cost here is minimal and the gain of having a box your customers can count on is massively valuable.

2. Compare kraft vs bleached paper products

Depending on the aesthetic of your business unbleached brown paper products or white bleached paper products can provide a better aesthetic appeal for your business. The same goes for paper towels, napkins, food trays, and wax paper.

It’s worth testing different bleached and unbleached paper products to see which ones will work best with the aesthetic of your restaurant and function best for absorbing grease, while also comparing the economic costs of one versus the other.

3. Sturdy aluminum is key

Test and make sure the aluminum pans are capable of handling the heat and weight of your food products. While a reduced short-term cost may seem like a benefit to saving money on aluminum one malfunction with a pan and all those savings will go away and customers do not forget those types of accidents.

A sturdy clear plastic dome lid for aluminum pans can improve the aesthetic display for to-go products while also providing functionality as pans can then be stacked on top of each other more easily in to-go bags.  

4. Testing different disposable plates for in-house dining

If you use disposable plates and cutlery for in-house dining it’s important to test out different options to see which ones might work best with the types of items on your menu.

Foam plates might seem like the most economical option when comparing prices, but they could be costing you business if customers see grease absorbing into them. There are many different options for disposable plates so finding a solution that minimizes your immediate economic costs and the longer-term opportunity costs is easy with some testing and an understanding of the different options available.

Alternatives to foam plates include a variety of different coated and uncoated paper plates and microwavable plastic plates. Another option if you are using an unlaminated foam plate is to test out a laminated option which can also improve functionality.

5. Use an Upcycle Catering Rack for a better catering aesthetic

Wire racks for catering events tend to be bulky and a bit of a hindrance and provide only the essential functions of a catering rack. They are also not very aesthetically pleasing. This is where an upgrade to an Upcycle rack can help improve your catering setup.

They are heavy-duty plastic that can handle the heat, they are easy to set up and fold up easily to reduce storage space. They also have a sleek look so they can not only improve the functionality of your catering but should also provide a better aesthetic appeal for your customers.

Testing different products is key to working out which ones are best to suit your individual business needs. That is where a company like ours can help. Give us a call and let us know which disposable products you are having problems with and we will help you find your solution. We can bring samples, discuss alternatives, and most importantly help you solve your problems with disposable products so you can get back to focusing on the rest of your business.