Cini-Little International, Inc.

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Frederick, MD
Cini-Little International, Inc.

Consulting, Planning, Designing for Foodservice, Laundry & Solid Waste/Recycling Offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Ft.

Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Louisville, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington, DC

11/19/2025

Inclusive design creates safer, more dignified work environments for everyone.

Our CEO Kathleen Held was recently featured in Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine's November 2025 edition. In the "Faces of Excellence" profile sponsored by Vollrath, Kathleen discusses how Cini-Little's human-centric approach to kitchen design prioritizes inclusivity from the very start of the design process.

More attention is typically paid to dining rooms in terms of meeting compliance codes and ensuring inclusivity, but not enough consideration is given to those working in the kitchen. Inclusive design creates safer, more dignified, lower-friction work environments for a wide range of bodies, abilities, languages, and neurotypes: benefiting everyone, not just those with obvious special needs.

Design strategies include primary task reach distances within 15 to 60 inches, height-adjustable work tables, landing zones at heavy-use appliances, staff spaces with appropriately sized lockers and hydration stations, and emerging digital solutions with audio support and hearing-assist technology.

Read the full profile below to learn more about how inclusive design strategies will only grow in importance as we work to meet the needs of today's employees and the workforce of the future: https://cinilittle.com/inclusive-design-creates-safer-more-dignified-work-environments-for-everyone/

11/18/2025

Strategic design decisions drive operational success.

Our Design Director Katja Beck was recently featured in Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine's November 2025 edition. Lisa White explores service station optimization in commercial foodservice operations, drawing on insights from Katja and other industry experts.

Service stations aren't an afterthought, they're strategic assets that directly impact speed of service and guest experience. The article examines how proper location, sizing, and logistics planning from the project's outset ensures these stations enhance rather than hinder operations.

With expertise spanning hospitality, healthcare, and corporate dining, Cini-Little understands how thoughtful design reduces server steps, positions stations as central support points for dining areas, and balances form with function to meet each operation's unique needs.

Read the full article below to learn more about designing service stations that add speed to service: https://cinilittle.com/strategic-design-decisions-drive-operational-success/

11/15/2025

Reducing waste isn't just good for the environment, it's essential for operational efficiency. Every facility's waste challenge is different, and often a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work.

Joe Sorgent breaks down how we assess each project, from generation estimates to equipment testing to future-ready separation strategies.

Want the full framework? Our Strategic Waste Management for Modern Facilities: 2025 guide provides the assessment process we use to evaluate waste systems from programming through commissioning.

Download here: https://online.flippingbook.com/link/745993/

11/14/2025

Cini-Little is growing! We're looking for experienced foodservice consulting professionals to join our team. We have three key positions available for remote work:

Project Manager – Toronto

Management Advisory Services Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – West Coast

With six decades of industry expertise, Cini-Little offers the opportunity to work on transformative foodservice projects while collaborating with a team of specialists across design, consulting, and sustainability.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and be a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organization, we’d love to hear from you!

Visit our careers page for requirements and more information: https://cinilittle.com/careers/

11/13/2025

Our CEO Kathleen Held recently attended the 2025 SHFM Foundation Gala in New York City, an evening dedicated to supporting the important programs of the SHFM Foundation.

The event brought together the SHFM community for meaningful conversation and connection, all while raising funds for those who need it most. Chef Michael Lomonaco of Porter House Bar and Grill created the evening's culinary experience, showcasing the kind of excellence that defines both the hospitality industry and SHFM's mission.

As a sponsor, we're proud to support SHFM's work in advancing hospitality foodservice management. Events like these remind us why industry collaboration matters: when we come together, we strengthen the entire foodservice community.

11/11/2025

Labor shortages, rising costs, and new sustainability mandates are reshaping foodservice operations. Our "Designing & Equipping Sustainable & Efficient Foodservice Spaces: 2025 Edition" addresses these challenges head-on.

What sets this guide apart:

✨ Six decades of Cini-Little expertise distilled into practical, actionable strategies
✨ Comprehensive frameworks that balance operational efficiency with sustainability goals
✨ Equipment selection insights that reduce long-term costs while improving performance
✨ Technology integration approaches based on real-world implementations
✨ Strategic planning tools from pre-design through operational optimization

This guide addresses the full spectrum of foodservice design, from menu planning and operational flow to waste management systems and connected kitchen technologies. Whether you're designing new facilities, renovating existing spaces, or optimizing current operations, this is your strategic roadmap.

Download the complete guide: https://online.flippingbook.com/link/25950/

Special recognition to our expert contributors: Kip Serfozo, Joseph Sorgent, and Tim O'Mara for their invaluable insights and expertise.

11/07/2025

We're excited to share that Tim O'Mara has been promoted to Vice President of Management Advisory Services at Cini-Little!

With extensive experience working with clients across multiple sectors, Tim excels at determining feasible solutions that align with clients' desired operational and financial outcomes. His expertise in operator selection processes helps transform operational challenges into strategic opportunities.

As Vice President of Management Advisory Services, Tim will continue to help clients optimize their foodservice operations and achieve their financial goals.

Congratulations, Tim!

11/06/2025

Before the first design sketch. Before the equipment is ordered. Before the doors open. There's one critical phase that determines success or failure: business planning.

In his latest blog, Tim O'Mara shares the essential steps that create a foundation for success. The difference between thriving operations and the 43% that fail within five years often comes down to doing this work upfront.

As Tim notes, "The root cause of these failures is the stakeholder's failure to determine a solid business plan before opening their doors."

Read Tim's full article on business planning essentials: https://cinilittle.com/the-business-plan-a-recipe-for-foodservice-success/

11/05/2025

43% of foodservice operations fail within their first five years. The reason? They skip the business plan or create one that misses critical elements.

In Episode 2 of our Cini Sessions series, Tim O'Mara from our Management Advisory Services team sits down with CEO Kathleen Held to discuss why a comprehensive foodservice business plan isn't optional. It's your roadmap to success.

Most operators don't know what they don't know. They underestimate costs, oversimplify complexity, and start designing before they've done the strategic groundwork.

At Cini-Little, we see it clearly: even the most beautiful design will fail if it's not built on solid business planning. That's why we work with clients on three critical components before breaking ground, Market Research, Programming and Financial Modeling.

Tim breaks down how these elements work together, and why skipping any one of them dramatically increases your risk of becoming part of that 43%.

Watch the full conversation where Kathleen and Tim cover everything from K-12 cafeterias to performing arts centers, hospital kitchens to corporate dining: https://cinilittle.com/now-showing-cini-sessions-the-business-plan/

10/31/2025

We’ve got a fresh new look!

We're excited to share the launch of our updated website at www.cinilittle.com.

It’s more than a showcase of our work: it’s a platform to share our team's expertise in solving complex challenges across foodservice design, waste management, and laundry planning. For nearly six decades, we've been pioneering solutions across diverse sectors. Now we're making that knowledge more accessible.

Discover practical guidance on sustainable design, insights from our consultants, and resources that reflect the way we work, collaboratively and with a forward-thinking approach. This is a place where we share the knowledge that empowers our clients and partners to succeed.

We consult, we educate, and we partner with you to find solutions.

Take a look around and let us know what you think. Thank you for being part of the Cini-Little community!

10/23/2025

Our Strategic Waste Management for Modern Facilities: 2025 is now available!

This comprehensive guide maps the critical decision points where waste consulting delivers maximum value, from programming through commissioning.

Inside, you'll find frameworks architects and developers use to integrate waste planning without compromising design intent, plus real project data comparing early integration versus retrofit scenarios.

Download the full guide here: https://online.flippingbook.com/link/745993/

When waste management enters the conversation at schematic design instead of construction documents, we consistently see three differences:

→ 40-60% lower implementation costs
→ Seamless regulatory compliance from day one
→ Operations teams who actually use the systems as designed

Special recognition to our waste and sustainability team Joseph Sorgent, Amruta Kiran, and Alec T. for distilling decades of expertise into practical guidance.

10/17/2025

The most critical factor in foodservice operator selection isn't choosing the "best" company. It's finding the right strategic partner for your specific goals.

In this Cini Sessions clip, Tim O'Mara and Chuck Schuler from Cini-Little's Management Advisory Team break down the strategic foundation of operator selection and the questions you should ask to determine which operators even make your shortlist.

Too many organizations jump straight to RFPs without this clarity. The result? Misaligned partnerships that look great on paper but fail in ex*****on.

Our approach ensures you're not just comparing proposals. You're matching operational philosophy, cultural fit, and financial expectations from day one.

Want the full strategic framework? Watch the complete Cini Sessions episode where Tim and Chuck dive deep into evaluation criteria, the "desirable and feasible" test, and why the on-site team matters more than the sales pitch: https://lnkd.in/edNAuutk

Want more? Keep an eye out for Episode 2 in the series coming soon!

Address

47 E. South Street, Suite 202
Frederick, MD
21701

Telephone

+13015289700

Website

http://www.cinilittle.com/

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Cini-Little provides Consulting, Planning, and Design for Foodservice, Laundry and Solid Waste/Recycling. With offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, DC.