As an owner of a food service establishment, the kitchen is the largest investment in to your business next to your Human Resources. Understanding the total cost of ownership, beyond just the initial sticker price, is essential to getting the most out of your food service equipment. So what is total cost of ownership? There are many misconceptions as to what Total Cost of Ownership involves, but in general it is the direct and indirect expenses of a product or service. There are many factors that affect the total cost of ownership and the life cycle of a single piece of equipment.
Purchase Price: The initial sticker price from a manufacturer or direct dealer is called the Purchase Price and is only one small element to Total Cost of Ownership. While only one element of the total cost, the purchase price is important and should be well thought out. Is the equipment that the operator is purchasing the right fit for their business needs? Is it energy efficient? Will it hold up to the demands?
Installation: Installation of new equipment is key. Installation ensures there are enough air flow, gas flow and space between existing units. If a unit is not properly installed, it not only affects the efficiency of the equipment and increases operating costs but can also void manufacturer warranty. Be sure to contact a service provider like Clark Service Group that specializes in installation to protect your investment. The installation team will be knowledgeable in ensuring there is enough space to ventilate equipment, gas connections are properly hooked up, and equipment is level.
Planned Maintenance Contracts: One resource operators can take advantage of in order to ensure their equipment has a long lasting life cycle is to obtain a Planned Maintenance (PM) contract from a service provider. Along with daily cleaning and operator maintenance, having a PM contract is a scheduled maintenance from a food service repair company to clean, sanitize, and run diagnostic tests to ensure that all equipment is working properly and at peak efficiency. During the Planned Maintenance, technicians are able to uncover issues and make suggestions for repairs to extend the life of your equipment and increase its efficiency. Regular maintenance can decrease downtime and emergency service calls that can increase operating costs and disrupt the flow of your kitchen.
Service: Let’s face it, equipment in a standard commercial kitchen runs nearly 16 hours a day. The life cycle of equipment decreases daily when not regularly maintained. When equipment becomes slow or develops issues, contact a service company as soon as possible to make the proper diagnosis and needed repairs. Taking care of problems as they arise will help prevent costly repairs in the future.
Total Cost of Ownership calculating, while time consuming, is a cost saving analysis that can save an operator thousands of dollars in the long run. Research brands as if you would research before purchasing a new car, does it have all of the features that you need? Are there features that are not necessary for your operations? How much energy will the unit use? Will utility costs increase or decrease? Is it the right capacity for the volume of your operation? Understanding brands, their warranty, and overall service ability will help operators to choose the right equipment to lower their Total Cost of Ownership in the long run.
Written by Marcie Byrd
Edited by Tilghman Grandstaff.
Purchase Price: The initial sticker price from a manufacturer or direct dealer is called the Purchase Price and is only one small element to Total Cost of Ownership. While only one element of the total cost, the purchase price is important and should be well thought out. Is the equipment that the operator is purchasing the right fit for their business needs? Is it energy efficient? Will it hold up to the demands?
Installation: Installation of new equipment is key. Installation ensures there are enough air flow, gas flow and space between existing units. If a unit is not properly installed, it not only affects the efficiency of the equipment and increases operating costs but can also void manufacturer warranty. Be sure to contact a service provider like Clark Service Group that specializes in installation to protect your investment. The installation team will be knowledgeable in ensuring there is enough space to ventilate equipment, gas connections are properly hooked up, and equipment is level.
Planned Maintenance Contracts: One resource operators can take advantage of in order to ensure their equipment has a long lasting life cycle is to obtain a Planned Maintenance (PM) contract from a service provider. Along with daily cleaning and operator maintenance, having a PM contract is a scheduled maintenance from a food service repair company to clean, sanitize, and run diagnostic tests to ensure that all equipment is working properly and at peak efficiency. During the Planned Maintenance, technicians are able to uncover issues and make suggestions for repairs to extend the life of your equipment and increase its efficiency. Regular maintenance can decrease downtime and emergency service calls that can increase operating costs and disrupt the flow of your kitchen.
Service: Let’s face it, equipment in a standard commercial kitchen runs nearly 16 hours a day. The life cycle of equipment decreases daily when not regularly maintained. When equipment becomes slow or develops issues, contact a service company as soon as possible to make the proper diagnosis and needed repairs. Taking care of problems as they arise will help prevent costly repairs in the future.
Total Cost of Ownership calculating, while time consuming, is a cost saving analysis that can save an operator thousands of dollars in the long run. Research brands as if you would research before purchasing a new car, does it have all of the features that you need? Are there features that are not necessary for your operations? How much energy will the unit use? Will utility costs increase or decrease? Is it the right capacity for the volume of your operation? Understanding brands, their warranty, and overall service ability will help operators to choose the right equipment to lower their Total Cost of Ownership in the long run.
Written by Marcie Byrd
Edited by Tilghman Grandstaff.