The cold weather is about to set in, and with it, changes that will affect how you run your restaurant. It’s best to have a plan so you can tackle the dark, gloomy days of winter head-on. Take a look at the tips below on how you can do that.
1. Hire HVAC inspection and maintenance services.
Your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems have to be cleaned regularly to keep them functioning efficiently and help you save on energy costs. Every year, before the cold weather season sets in, invest in the services of an HVAC professional so they can inspect your existing systems and provide cleaning and maintenance.
2. Cool the kitchen.
Even with the cold weather outside, the kitchen could get too hot if you have to turn on heating for the dining area. This could cause problems for your display and bakery equipment. The extra heat could cause your equipment to work harder than they are supposed to. Not only that, but it could also affect the integrity of your food products and keep your staff from feeling comfortable in their workplace. Consider using portable air-conditioners to keep the kitchen fresh and cozy.
3. Add fireplace
For the easiest installation, choose a direct-vent ethanol fireplace. You can install this type of fireplace on any exterior wall, and it will vent directly out the back. If you want to add a wood-burning fireplace, that's not impossible either. You just need space above to get a chimney up through the roof. You can add a fireplace with EthanolFireplacePros.com. They offer expertise in both home decor items and making sure you are satisfied with your purchase.
3. Use a patio heater.
If your restaurant has a patio, use portable patio heaters and awnings to keep it open for guests who would like to dine in an open area. This lets you serve more people per hour, while also giving you an edge over other restaurants because of the novelty of dining out during the wintertime. A portable heater is also useful if you provide outdoor catering services. You can use the heater to keep a tent warm and cozy even in winter.
4. Winterise the outdoors.
Keep water pipes from freezing over so that your commercial ice maker and Beverage Air coolers can function properly during the winter. Use the right materials to insulate your water lines and allow water to freely flow to the right equipment. Check all outside vents and ensure they are covered with mesh to keep pests out. There will be plenty of them wanting to get into your kitchen from the cold. Also, give your patio a good power wash. This will remove debris from the patio floor and make it easier to clean in the spring.
5. Prepare for power outages.
Power outages can lead to spoiled food, unhappy customers, and unnecessary waste, all of which all cause a lot of lost business. You can prevent this from happening by investing in a generator that you can use during outages. Having an emergency source of electricity will help you maintain food at safe temperatures, provide power for lighting and essential kitchen equipment, and continue to offer your services to customers. Also, train your staff to act quickly if an outage happens. Provide other thermometers so that they can continuously monitor food temperatures and ensure you are serving safe food items.
6. Switch up your menu.
People like to eat different things in different seasons. Obviously, frozen treats like ice cream and cold menu items such as chicken salad are not high on the list of what people are craving for during the cold weather season. They are looking for hot, steamy food that can keep them warm in the winter. Take a look at your menu and see what additions you can make. You don’t have to give it an overhaul; you merely have to add more items that people want to eat during this time of the year.
