KEY QUESTIONS
When planning a new business, it is worth remembering that you will be investing in commercial equipment to perform at high operating demands, so buying cheap does not pay in the long term.
For example, a domestic dishwasher may be run once a day in a home environment but that number can reach 200 in a commercial operation. In addition to robustness, we can recommend more energy-efficient options. Also, you have to think about ‘provenance’. Just like when choosing food ingredients, quality is key. Is there a full parts and labour warranty, will the manufacturer have spare parts in the country and is there decent service back-up?
It is common for us to see businesses that have made the mistake of buying low-specification cheaper products that aren’t suitable for the business or equipment that is over-specified.
We work with recognised reputable brands, supplying equipment for a small community café or a large conference hotel. They support customers with considered design, quality manufacturing and a full parts and labour warranty.
When operators start setting up, there is a natural and exciting ambition to see the vision come to fruition, with beautiful design, lighting, seating, etc. However, the engine is in the kitchen or behind the bar or counter, and if that breaks down, the business cannot operate at full efficiency. We offer great products at competitive prices, plus it is possible to get all the equipment with extended warranties under a lease deal to ensure no unexpected surprises for up to five years.
TECH TRENDS
There seems to be a big move towards apps allowing operators to check the status of equipment. But some of it is a bit gimmicky, while others offer real value at no additional cost. Unox provide LONG.Life4 via a Warranty Portal, with a four-year parts and two-year labour warranty. This also enables Unox to monitor oven performance and help them improve products for the future.
We work with a number of national coffee franchises, cinema chains, garden centres and regional pub groups, as well as a host of independents – from small tea shops, to caterers or boutique hotels, we always strive to offer sound advice, professional installations and great service.
One partnership was with a golf club wanting to convert a cellar and storeroom into a kitchen. We redesigned the whole site, including extraction system, ovens, fryers, fridges, freezers and stainless steel worktops.
Find out more at thecommercialovenstore.com.