Nashville: (615) 255-2002
Memphis: (901) 379-0900
Chattanooga: (423) 629-0906
Johnson City: (423) 979-0069
Knoxville: (865) 692-4840
Fixed Right. Fast, Guaranteed.
The holiday season can be a hectic time of year for restaurant owners and managers who run commercial kitchens. For some restaurants, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year are filled with hosting annual holiday parties for businesses or families celebrating the season at their favorite spot. Other restaurants have to find creative ways to overcome staffing challenges as employees take time off during the holidays.
Whether you’re a high-end restaurant prepping for office parties or a fast-food chain serving shoppers as they pick up a quick meal in between destinations, it’s essential to make sure your commercial kitchen equipment is ready to handle the crazy holiday rush.
Here are 5 commercial kitchen equipment tips to set you and your restaurant up for success this holiday season:
1. Create a comprehensive holiday season checklist.
The holiday season presents challenges your staff doesn’t experience any other time of the year. Many restaurants serve specialty items or offer to-go dishes for people to enjoy during the holidays. Staffing shortages and call-outs also increase during the holidays.
The best way to prepare is to create
a comprehensive holiday checklist for your restaurant. This can include everything from inventory checks and plans for holiday orders to cleaning plans and equipment inspections. You might also consider reviewing the checklist with stakeholders and training staff about any unique changes to their routines.
2. Implement a consistent equipment cleaning routine.
Cleaning and maintaining a commercial kitchen is a significant part of work in a restaurant. This is especially true during busy seasons when commercial kitchen equipment is running non-stop. It’s also important to remember that your kitchen staff might have to work overtime or cover a shift they don’t normally work. Posting checklists in prominent places is a helpful way to eliminate the guesswork around cleaning.
3. Dedicate time each week to check equipment.
Checking equipment on a regular basis is a helpful best practice throughout the year. But it can be especially helpful during the holidays. Once a week, check your pipes and valves for leaks and check your gaskets for tears.
Training employees to identify potential issues can add another layer of protection and address any failures in real time. This two-pronged approach is the best way to identify any potential hazards in the kitchen that could interfere with your equipment and grow into full-fledged problems.
4. Schedule a planned maintenance visit.
Now is not the time to postpone or procrastinate on routine equipment maintenance. Scheduling a planned maintenance visit before the holidays can help eliminate worrying about something going wrong. Whether you need planned maintenance for 10 or 100 pieces of equipment, our team at ATECH can
create a tailored maintenance program for your restaurant.
5. Equip your team with a backup plan.
Unexpected breakdowns can still happen, even with a planned maintenance plan. That’s why it helps to
equip your kitchen staff with an equipment failure plan in case you’re not there to handle it. This should include who to call in case of an emergency as well as your backup plan if specific equipment goes down.
The holidays are already stressful for restaurants and commercial kitchens as you deal with staffing and inventory issues. Don’t let a jammed oven fan or refrigeration leak add to the chaos. If you’re planning for the holiday rush, our team at ATECH can ensure your equipment is working properly and ready for anything the season might have in store.
You can reach out today to
set up a planned maintenance visit for your equipment. We’d also encourage you to
add the phone number of our nearest service center to your speed dial. In most cases, our technicians provide same-day visits on calls received by noon.
Locations also available in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Johnson City
Nashville: (615) 255-2002
Memphis: (901) 379-0900
Chattanooga: (423) 629-0906
Johnson City: (423) 979-0069
Knoxville: (865) 692-4840
Share On: