Restaurant Equipment and the Service Technician

Like every other commercial operation which harnesses the power of technology in one form or another, operating a restaurant also dictates the use of gadgets, appliances, processors fitted with motors and relays, and occasional high end electronics to control temperature, humidity and preparation cycles. Just about all restaurant equipment is driven by technology today. Not just restaurant equipment but all types of commercial food preparation equipment tends to experience extensive wear and tear owing to long hours of continuous use. There are no Sundays off or holiday vacations for that matter for restaurant equipment. Therefore, as a restaurant owner or commercial food service director, you need to pay as much attention to maintaining and servicing your commercial kitchen equipment as you do to promoting your food service operation. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that the service technicians assigned the critical responsibility of maintaining, servicing and repairing your restaurant gear both perform and deliver in accordance with industry expectations. Check Credentials If your restaurant equipment happens to be under warranty, chances are high that the manufacturer’s service crew has been adequately trained and commands a reasonable level of technical expertise and experience. Inquire politely about how long they have been with the company, what precautions you can take to protect your investment and any features of the product that you use often. This type of informal interaction will surely help you assess competency levels. Scheduling Maintenance during Low Traffic So that any repair or maintenance activity does not either directly or indirectly interfere with the regular operations of your restaurant or commercial food service company, you should schedule service visits during low peak hours such as early mornings or mid afternoons. Try to be physically present while the routine service or warranty repairs are being conducted just in case there are any issues, which need immediate attention. Signing up for Extended Warranties for your Food Service Equipment If a manufacturer offers an extended warranty on any of the products you are planning to purchase or have purchased recently, consider signing up for an extended warranty. Besides ensuring that your restaurant equipment will receive timely attention, extended warranties make sure that only qualified and company trained technicians are authorized to attend to your service needs. Preparing your Restaurant Equipment for a Service Call There are a number of things you can do to facilitate a smooth and uninterrupted maintenance and repair of your restaurant equipment. Here are a few: 1. Clear the immediate vicinity so that the equipment can be easily accessed during maintenance. 2. Shut off the gas and electricity connections before the service crew arrives. 3. Discontinue using the equipment at least three hours prior to the arrival of the service team so that high temperatures can stabilize before the service crew begins to render service. 4. Make a list of the problems the equipment is giving you so that you do not forget them once the service team arrives. 5. Clean the unit to the best of your ability and request additional cleaning services from the technician for those areas that are hard to reach. Request a Test Run Once the service crew certifies that your food preparation equipment is ready for use, perform a test run in the presence of the service crew to make absolutely sure that the equipment is good to go. This is the perfect time also to ask questions about safety, cleaning and replacement of any spares. It goes without saying that all your food preparation equipment needs to be in perfect shape at all times to ensure a positive user experience for your restaurant guests.