Operating a restaurant comes with so many important responsibilities. Hiring the right staff and perfecting your craft will take a lot of focus and care. However, these are only part of running a successful business. If you don’t go the extra mile to make sure your equipment is properly maintained, all of your hard work could end up wasted.
What Equipment Do You Need to Have Serviced?
When it comes to restaurant preventative maintenance, you want to leave no stone unturned. That’s why you want to find a reputable company who can take care of both maintenance and repair needs. By contracting with a skilled commercial maintenance company, they will create a schedule based on your needs. Depending on your equipment needs, they will service these areas of your restaurant:
| Refrigeration | Cooking | HVAC Systems |
| Refrigerators and Coolers | Ovens, Grills, and Fryers | A/C and Heating Equipment |
| Ice Cream Boxes and Freezers | Dishwashers and Water Filtration Systems | Exhaust Fans and Ventilation Equipment |
| Beverage and Display Cases | Coffee and Tea Brewers, Cappuccino Machines | Hoods |
| Ice Machines | Fountain Beverage Dispensers | Package Units and Split Systems |
Every business owner is always looking at their bottom line. While taking an “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it” attitude is attractive in the short run, there are a lot of benefits to contracting a commercial repair company.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Keeping your equipment operating at its best increases your energy efficiency. As a general rule, anything operating at its peak draws less energy to perform as it is intended to. When equipment draws less energy, it costs less to operate, and you enjoy lower utility bills. Routine maintenance will also make sure your appliances are efficiently using water and gas. Worn out parts can bring about hidden costs you may not be aware of. (Such as water leaks adding hundreds to your water bill.)
Less Risk Of Equipment Malfunction
Routine maintenance looks for minor problems before they become major ones. When equipment needs deep cleaning, or minor parts need repair, technicians address these minor issues immediately. If you let your equipment go too long without maintenance, your business is at risk. If the equipment malfunctions, you may have to operate without it until you can repair or replace the unit.
Equipment Consistently Produces A Better Product
Anything you rely on to cook or refrigerate food has to operate at its peak. Without proper temperature and cooking consistency, quality control over your products will suffer. In some cases, you may be putting the health of your customers in jeopardy. Properly maintained equipment gives you better control over refrigeration and cooking temperatures, as well as delivering your customers higher quality.
Increases Life Expectancy
Replacing equipment is both time-consuming and expensive. Not only can a single piece of equipment cost thousands of dollars, but some items may not be as readily available as others. For this reason, replacement is always the last resort when anything goes wrong. Even if you don’t want the added expense of routine maintenance, it actually pays off in the long run. It helps you to keep your machine longer. Well maintained equipment is less likely to break down and cost you thousands in replacement costs.
Keeps Work Environment Safe
As a restaurant owner, it is your duty to make your kitchen a safe place to work. Your kitchen should meet all of your local ordinance’s food and safety codes at all times. This not only includes how you handle food items, but the care of your equipment as well. If any workplace injury occurs because of faulty equipment, employees could hold you liable. By contracting with a commercial maintenance company, they will make sure your equipment stays up to standard so you and your employees have peace of mind.
Customer Retention
When anything goes wrong in your business, you can only hide it from your customers for so long. Eventually, even the most loyal customers will grow tired of dealing with constant inconveniences. When people visit your restaurant, they expect a fully operational, comfortable place to enjoy themselves. By keeping everything operating at its best, you are showing your customers that they matter, and you want their continued business.
Proper equipment care and maintenance will prove invaluable. When setting up the contract with your commercial maintenance service, make sure they are up to date on all of your local food and safety regulations. By partnering with them, they will help keep you compliant when it comes time for an inspection.
