Running a restaurant is tough enough without the constant headache of equipment breakdowns and maintenance issues. These problems can impact your service, delay your operations, and leave customers less than impressed. The old-school way of handling it—manually tracking everything, scheduling repairs, and constantly being on high alert—is just too much. It not only stresses everyone out but also jacks up costs and leads to more frequent downtimes. Seriously, who has time for that? In a time where staff retention is a real problem, as leaders, it is important to ensure they have everything they need to be successful. So why are so many restaurants not using technologies to address this issue?
The Missing Link
We have loyalty systems, back-office control software, marketing, staff training, labor scheduling, inventory control, online ordering, and more. Heck, we even have robots serving us our food and bussing our tables. Why, oh why, are we not talking about technologies that address one of the biggest time-sucks and contributors to the mental load we have in the restaurant business? Facilities Management.
In a few recent surveys and state of restaurant technology reports we have looked at regarding what customers want, tech-enabled facilities management wasn’t even a question on the survey. It was wholly ignored. That says to us that restaurant operators don’t know that there are technology solutions available. So what are the available solutions?
Streamlining Repairs and Maintenance
Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) has been around for a while, like Point-of-Sale systems, hence the old-school name. (Who says “computerized” anymore?) Regardless of what we call it, this kind of database and communications tool is the game-changer every restaurant manager needs. This powerful software keeps all your maintenance activities in one place. It schedules regular maintenance, tracks equipment history, and manages work orders like a pro. Automating these tasks means you won’t miss crucial maintenance checks, and you’ll avoid those nasty surprise breakdowns if you also use it to manage your preventive maintenance schedules.
Mobile Maintenance Apps give your staff on-the-go access to schedules, work orders, and equipment manuals. Report issues quickly, get faster responses, and keep the team in the loop with notifications and updates directly to their devices. Easy peasy.
Automated Inventory Management prevents delays because you’re missing a critical part. Your maintenance tasks will be smooth and uninterrupted.
Centralizing Communication and Lightening the Load on Everyone’s Inboxes
Implementing these tech solutions not only streamlines maintenance but also centralizes communication between all stakeholders. Instead of drowning in endless email threads or text chains, everything from maintenance updates to vendor communications can be managed in one place. This centralized approach reduces confusion, ensures everyone is on the same page, and lightens the load on your old inbox or text chains.
Facilities Management and IT: A Crucial Intersection
In the realm of restaurant operations, there’s a vast ecosystem beyond customer-facing technologies. Think about the history of items, paint colors, fabric vendors, and even Point-of-Sale systems. Restaurant technology often focuses heavily on customer engagement and operational efficiencies but overlooks the critical aspect of facilities management. Yet, facilities management doesn’t ignore IT. In fact, integrating IT into facilities management can streamline operations significantly. Log IT issues into your systems, add wiring diagrams, and track the multitude of service providers required to troubleshoot problems in your restaurant technology stack.
Leveraging Hospitality Professionals for Technology Integration
Utilizing a team of hospitality professionals to build, install, troubleshoot, and oversee technology is the best course of action. They speak the language of the industry and understand the unique operational needs of restaurants. It’s crucial to have technology built out correctly and customized to match the organization’s operations, including who needs access to what information and when. This ensures effective management of preventative maintenance schedules, follow-ups on open service requests, handling outstanding service provider invoices, and more.
Justifying Spend: Investing in Technology vs. Hiring More Facilities Managers
Investing in a dedicated team and implementing technology is often more cost-effective than hiring additional facilities managers as your organization grows. It’s scalable and supports your existing team, which may be overwhelmed with managing new openings and aging facilities simultaneously. Preventive and predictive maintenance save you from expensive emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your equipment. Plus, optimized inventory management reduces waste and ensures resources are used effectively. More money in your pocket.
The Benefits of Using Technology for Repairs and Maintenance
Reduced Mental Load
Let’s be honest, nobody needs the constant stress of trying to handle lingering equipment or facilities failures. General managers are often the ones stuck with the tasks of figuring out and employing operational workarounds, finding time to source service providers, coordinating difficult scheduling that fits into the operational hours, reducing spending with the vendor, dealing with payment issues, and more. Empowering your unit-level manager with technology also provides a log of all activity to centralize all communications, reducing issues that can arise from changing staff or service providers since all activities are tracked in the technology.
Increased Efficiency
With tech handling routine maintenance and alerting you to potential issues, your restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine. Scheduled maintenance and timely repairs mean fewer disruptions, smoother service, and happier customers.
Cost Savings
Preventive and predictive maintenance save you from expensive emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your equipment. Plus, optimized inventory management reduces waste and ensures resources are used effectively. More money in your pocket.
Enhanced Safety and Compliance
Keeping your equipment in top condition isn’t just smart—it’s safe. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of accidents and helps you stay compliant with health and safety regulations. Everyone wins.
In today’s fast-paced restaurant industry, embracing technology for repairs and maintenance isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. These tech solutions reduce the mental load on your staff, boost efficiency, and save you money. With tools like CMMS, mobile maintenance apps, and equipment inventory management, you’re revolutionizing how your restaurant operates. Invest in these technologies and focus on what you do best: delivering exceptional dining experiences.
Want to see what it’s all about? Schedule a time to speak with one of our representatives about Sidework’s offerings today by clicking on the Book a Demo button above.
