Using Training and Automation To Assist Your Foodservice Business

Running a foodservice business in today’s environment means juggling economic and health issues, food supply and logistics, along with changing consumer behaviors. Not recognizing and responding to changes in any one of these areas can bring a previously successful restaurant to its knees. The foodservice industry is facing so many issues at once. This includes staff shortages to the point where restaurants are limiting their hours or days of operation.

Foodservice industry facing real challenges

Toss in the current supply chain issues plaguing the nation due to stalled seaports and a lack of truck drivers to haul critical produce and meats. This is leaving even large chain restaurants struggling to fulfill food for their menu offerings and sourcing items like paper bags for takeout.

Many restaurant owners are finding out that what was once an ideal menu for their clientele and local farm or tree-to-table supply sources may not be an option today because of suppliers that are no longer in business and the increased demand for take-out and delivery versus dining in. And those distributor supply issues may not only affect your menu planning, but they are also driving prices through the roof.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the foodservice industry is experiencing what is known as the bullwhip effect. This is when companies that have slowed down their operations look to rapidly scale up on signs of increasing demand, only to leave suppliers scrambling to keep up.

But with so many unexpected events affecting every corner of our economy, what type of foodservice operation features the best labor savings and is agile enough to weather supply issues? The answer may lie in the marriage of foodservice equipment and automation.

Understanding foodservice automation

Take a close look at your menu and your staff to see exactly how you are servicing customers for dine-in or take-out/delivery. Planning ahead, re-training your staff, and establishing new partnerships with secondary logistics and supply chain vendors can smooth out some of the rollercoaster events in getting your food, supplies, and equipment.

Next, take a good look at automated foodservice equipment which can reduce the time to prepare, cook, and even package most of your menu items. Now is the time to bridge the gap with foodservice equipment and technology that will automate many tasks.

This includes integrated oil management systems that allow operators to reduce oil use, extend oil life, and improve food quality. Reduced oil volume fryers will automate both oil filtration and oil top off. Or consider smart rethermalizers that not only reheat food that has been previously cooked but will also keep it at a perfect temperature until served.

Pitco’s 7″ touchscreen controller takes the guesswork out of controlling your fryers. The Infinity Touch™ control stores all of your recipes and product cook times right in your fryer’s memory, so your customers are guaranteed the right taste every time.

Restaurants and other foodservice businesses are labor-intensive. But, with the right foodservice automation equipment, you can improve menu consistency, minimize operating expenses, and reduce labor costs.