Focusing on the Return in Equipment ROI

When purchasing a new piece of equipment, it can be tempting to focus more on the initial investment than the return on that investment.

It’s easy to assume that ‘small’ equipment like toasters, steamers and other countertop pieces won’t cost you much in the long run regardless of which option you choose. The truth is that these kitchen staples can waste significant resources over time if not selected properly in the beginning.

Let’s say a $1,000 piece of equipment ends up costing up to an additional $500-$1,000 per year for unplanned maintenance, employee time, food waste and energy loss. Would a $2,000 piece of equipment that minimizes those issues have been the better choice? From an ROI standpoint — yes.

There are several factors that contribute to a greater ROI for countertop cooking equipment.

Easier cleaning or less cleaning

Operating staff’s time is saved when a piece of equipment is easier to clean. Employees can then handle tasks elsewhere in the kitchen — whether that’s more time at the drive-thru window, serving more customers or food prep on other areas of the line.

Minimizing food waste

Restaurants can address food waste challenges with reliable equipment that helps ensure food is cooked properly and consistently. Equipment that toasts, steams or cooks the product right the first time cuts down on throwaways, reducing overhead.

Energy savings

With toasters especially, energy savings are a key factor in equipment ROI. Antunes toasters are designed to more effectively hold the heat generated from the high-temperature platens inside instead of letting the heat escape. Less heat migration means that the toaster does not have to heat back up to its setpoint as frequently, and thus uses less energy.

A big, but hidden factor, in energy savings is the cost to keep the kitchen at standard temperatures. Operations save energy when less power is required for the HVAC to keep the kitchen cool. Because more heat stays in Antunes toasters, they do not increase the temperature of the kitchen as much as other options.

Operation productivity

Countertop cooking equipment that operates with a “set it and forget it” approach means that operators can use their time elsewhere in the kitchen. Equipment that is easier to operate also cuts down on training time for new staff — which is especially important for positions with a high turnover rate.

From a throughput standpoint, equipment that cooks faster, while still maintaining a high-quality product, allows operators to serve a higher volume of customers.

Reduced maintenance

High-quality equipment is more reliable and requires less maintenance, saving labor and decreasing downtime that can negatively impact an operation’s efficiency.

At Antunes, when we speak about giving a great return on investment for countertop cooking equipment, we emphasize “profits designed into equipment productivity.” Long-term savings are realized through our equipment’s features and benefits. We focus on efficiency, consistency, speed and reliability to help your operation stay productive and of course, profitable.

Learn more about one of the contributing factors to a higher return on investment — minimizing food waste — in this article.