Why is Commercial Kitchen Technology Important?
Commercial Kitchen Technology can help a business turn out more product in the same restaurant square footage by increasing the efficiency and speed of each step while reducing expensive waste. It can also be used to improve the overall customer experience.
One example of commercial kitchen technology that increases restaurant throughput would be an automatic soda fountain. Specifically, one which pours the drinks when the order is entered at the front register. Without this machine, peak lunch rush demand would keep a cashier busy filling soda cups rather than entering orders, serving food, and moving onto the next customer. With an automatic filling machine, the cold beverage is always waiting and ready to go. Small steps like this cut down on the average ticket time. This will allow more meals to be served in a day which is good for the restaurant, and shorter wait times which is good for the customer.
Who needs Commercial Kitchen Technology?
All restaurants from national quick serve businesses to small independent restaurants can benefit from commercial restaurant technology at some level.
Automating the kitchen can mean a significant investment into equipment. For this reason, automated and robotic cooking equipment is much more likely to show up in a national quick serve restaurant kitchen than in an independent kitchen. The correct application of commercial kitchen technology will improve the quality and consistency of products, increase throughput, and eliminate redundant, unpleasant, or unsafe jobs. For more on this topic, check out our article 3 Reasons Why You Need Kitchen Automation.
Commercial kitchen technology is not just for the giants. Applications such as a modern Point of Sale (POS) system is both attainable for independent restaurants and can made a significant impact on the business. For example, Toast Tab gives restaurants the ability to receive and queue online orders and streamlined kitchen operations. These services streamline the customer experience and reduce ticket times.
Where do I find commercial kitchen technology?
There are many businesses in the foodservice industry with phenomenal commercial kitchen technology offerings. These can range from specialized cooking equipment to web-based apps. Locating this type of equipment can be done with a web search, working with a kitchen equipment supplier, or visiting tradeshows such as NRA or NAFEM.
When do I buy existing commercial technology and when do I need to develop it?
When nothing on the market solves your problem, you may consider developing your own commercial kitchen technology. This can be done by partnering with a manufacturer or developer of similar products or buy hiring an engineering design firm. In this case solutions can be designed specifically for your needs. This comes at a cost. Developing new commercial kitchen technology takes time and dollars. When there are no other solutions, it will be worth the investment.
If solutions for your challenges do exist, it will always be faster and less expensive to buy existing commercial kitchen technology.
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There is no replacement for great food and service at a restaurant. The correct application of commercial kitchen technology can help any restaurant deliver the best meals and customer experience more easily and at a lower cost.