Chain Restaurant Case Study: 35% Reduction in Operating Costs After Implementing Standardization of Ice Makers, Ice Cream Machines, and Smoothie Machines from Smartool

Many chain eateries face the same issue when they must expand locations, and it is simple to duplicate menu items, but it is more complex to replicate the equipment system. It wasn’t until the number of locations of this particular restaurant chain passed the double-digit mark that they reviewed for the first time the overall effects of ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines.

Issues Start to Arise as Number of Retail Outlets Rises

Early on, each business had to buy its own ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines depending on the budget. These machines were different. They differed in models, capacity, and operations. These were not a problem when using the machines in the individual stores. However, when the number of stores grew, a problem was created.

Certain shops could not cope with the production of ice during peak times; certain ice cream machines had no consistency in product output and had to be constantly adjusted; and certain smoothie machines just stopped when in use for a prolonged time. The commonality in the complaints observed was different in actuality.

While tackling these problems, the corporate office realized that the absence of standardized equipment made it very difficult to leverage reuse of experience. It could take vastly different solutions to the same problem at different stores.

Changes After Adopting Smartool Equipment

Based on its operations review, this chain made the decision to begin with basic equipment involving product manufacturing and standardize the choice of ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines by changing them all to use the Smartool commercial equipment.

Thus, standardization ensured uniformity of operation logic for all stores. Be it ice-making capacity or constant dispensing or daily cleaning, all employees had to perform all tasks without having to get accustomed to different machinery. Problems related to opening new stores and allocating staff members were alleviated.

Standardizing equipment enabled the management to know the actual operational status for the very first time. Comparisons were made possible concerning the performance of the same equipment in different stores, helping to understand whether issues were being generated because of usage or because of overload.

The Real Reasons Behind a 35% Cut in Operating Costs

After a year using Smartool ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines, it has been possible to compile figures concerning expenditures related to equipment. Taking into consideration repairs, spares, replacement, and lost time, it has been noticed that operational expenditures are down by 35%.

Equipment stability and the prevention of unexpected breakdowns have been greatly improved. There is no more frequent reporting of repairs by stores, and maintenance staff can now prepare spare parts in advance for major use in the process.

Secondly, a new beat in managing rhythms is realized through equipment performance. Reliable equipment performance enables managers to control rhythms in scheduling their stores, materials preparation, and production cycles, thereby making all operational losses automatic to see.

In chain restaurants, standardization of equipment is strategic in the long run

In this particular situation, it is more than just looking for ways to cut expenses. For example, by creating a standardization process for Smartool ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines in this restaurant chain, growth is no longer based on luck.

As the number of stores grows, equipment becomes less of an unknown variable and more of a stable variable. This is just what worries consumers and what so far has proven most challenging to correct for chain businesses. So, if you are operating a multi-store restaurant chain, or if you intend to implement a standardized equipment setup for a possible expansion in your restaurants, you can send a private message with your query using “chain.” This will provide a reference for Smartool’s chain restaurant solutions for ice makers, ice cream machines, and smoothie machines.