Drew Patterson, a seasoned professional who began his career in the foodservice industry at age 15 and is now a Regional Account Manager (RAM) at Zink Foodservice, offers invaluable insights into the burgeoning commissary trend and its potential impact on the future of foodservice. With decades of experience in cook-chill operations, Patterson provides a unique perspective on the industry’s evolution and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Key Trends and Innovations Shaping the Commissary Industry
As the foodservice industry continues to evolve, commissaries are emerging as a strategic solution for many businesses. “For awhile, the foodservice industry had moved more toward commodity feeding, where they made big batches of basic foods. In recent years, there was a surge of interest to work in the restaurant industry, driven by the culinary boom and the popularity of food television,” Patterson recalled. “However, this also led to a renewed focus on quality and consistency, which has made commissaries increasingly attractive.”
Patterson highlights several other key trends driving the growth of commissaries:
Cost-Effectiveness:
- Rising operational costs: The increasing expenses of rent, utilities, and property make running multiple restaurants expensive.
- Commissary as a solution: Commissaries offer a way to centralize food production and reduce costs by sharing resources
Consistency and Quality:
- Inconsistent quality: Traditional restaurant operations can lead to variations in taste and quality across different locations.
- Commissary benefits: Centralized production ensures consistent recipes, ingredients, and preparation methods, resulting in uniform quality.
Food Safety:
- Improved control: Commissaries have better control over food safety practices, including logging, chilling, and cold chain management.
- Reduced risk: Centralized operations minimize the risk of cross-contamination compared to multiple individual restaurants.
Labor Challenges:
- Shortages: The foodservice industry faces a shortage of qualified labor, especially in areas like cooking and food preparation.
- Commissary efficiency: Commissaries can streamline operations and reduce labor requirements, making them more attractive to businesses.
“Food safety and consistency are critical factors in the success of commissaries,” Patterson explained. “For example, while a restaurant chain may have the same chili recipe across all locations, variations in preparation and ingredients can lead to inconsistencies in taste. Commissaries can help ensure that every dish tastes the same, regardless of location. The ultimate goal is for customers to be able to eat at any location across the country and have the food taste exactly the same at each one.”
Essential Equipment for Commissaries
Patterson emphasizes the importance of investing in high-quality equipment to optimize efficiency and productivity in commissary operations. Key equipment categories include:
Cooking Equipment:
- Kettles, cook tanks, and ovens for large-scale food preparation.
- Examples: Commercial-grade kettles for soups and stews, industrial ovens for baking, and high-capacity cook tanks for large batches of food.
Packaging Equipment:
- Machines for sealing and packaging food products to extend shelf life.
- Examples: Vacuum sealers, heat sealers, and flow wrappers for various packaging needs.
Cooling Equipment:
- Blast chillers, freezers, and ice baths for rapid cooling and storage.
- Examples: High-capacity blast chillers for quickly cooling cooked food, industrial freezers for long-term storage, and ice bath systems for cooling products.
Support Equipment:
- Storage racks, carts, and other accessories for efficient workflow.
- Examples: Heavy-duty shelving units for ingredient storage, mobile carts or racks for transporting food and equipment, and industrial can openers for efficient food preparation.
“Support materials are essential for efficient commissary operations,” Patterson emphasized. “For example, when making large quantities of food, you need adequate storage space and heavy-duty equipment to move ingredients around.”
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Equipment
When investing in new equipment, commissaries should prioritize:
Kitchen Design:
- Efficient layout: A well-designed kitchen layout can minimize movement and improve workflow.
- Expert input: Consulting with a kitchen designer can help create a space that is both functional and efficient.
Equipment Quality:
- Durability: Investing in high-quality equipment that can withstand heavy usage and frequent cleaning, sanitizing, and power washing is essential.
Capacity:
- Production volume: Ensure that the equipment can handle the required production volume to avoid bottlenecks.
- Future growth: Consider future expansion plans and choose equipment that can accommodate increased demand.
- Maintenance: Consider the ease of maintenance and cleaning to reduce downtime and costs.
Customer Preferences and Needs
Customer preferences have evolved, with a growing emphasis on fresh, high-quality food. With an abundance of meal delivery subscription box services available to the general public, a new type of home chef was born, increasing expectations for the taste and quality of food when eating out. Commissaries must adapt to these changing demands by:
- Focusing on Quality: Using fresh ingredients and innovative techniques to deliver exceptional taste.
- Adapting to Dietary Needs: Offering options for various dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Embracing Technology: Utilizing technology to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Challenges and Opportunities
Commissary owners and managers face several challenges, including:
- Labor Shortages: Finding and retaining qualified staff can be difficult.
- Food Safety: Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations is crucial.
- Storage and Transportation: Managing storage and transportation logistics efficiently.
Aluminum equipment offers several advantages for commissaries, including its durability, lightweight design, easy cleaning, and temperature resistance. This makes it ideal for the demanding environment of a commissary kitchen.
- Durability: Resistant to wear and tear, ensuring long-term performance.
- Lightweight: Easy to handle and maneuver, reducing labor strain.
- Easy to Clean: Smooth surfaces and hygienic design facilitate thorough cleaning.
- Temperature Resistance: Suitable for both hot and cold food applications.
The Future of Commissaries
As Drew Patterson predicts, “The need for commissaries is going to continue to grow.” With the increasing focus on efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness, it’s clear that commissaries are the future of foodservice. He predicts, “Every chain will eventually need to adopt this model to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of consumers.”
The commissary industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as:
Growth and Expansion:
- Increasing demand: The commissary industry is expected to continue growing as more businesses recognize its benefits.
- Technological advancements: Innovations in technology will further drive efficiency and improve operations.
Key Trends:
- Sustainability: A focus on sustainable practices, such as reducing food waste and using eco-friendly materials.
- Customization: Offering personalized options and customization to meet diverse customer preferences.
- Data-driven operations: Utilizing data analytics to optimize processes and improve decision-making.
Must-Have New Age Industrial Equipment for Commissaries
We tapped Drew’s expertise to identify the most essential New Age Industrial Equipment for commissaries. Patterson recommends the following equipment as indispensable for use in commissaries:
- Lifetime Series Speed Racks and Heavy Duty Series Speed Racks are durable and versatile storage solutions for food products, offering efficiency and mobility.
- Dunnage Racks ensure efficient storage and organization of ingredient pallets, maximizing space and preventing accidents.
- Mat Carts & Racks streamline the cleaning and storage of floor mats, maintaining a
- hygienic environment. Often overlooked, these carts and racks are crucial for efficient mat cleaning, especially in commissaries without dedicated washdown areas.
- Supply Carts including Platform Trucks, U-Boats and Utility Carts provide a mobile platform for transporting ingredients and equipment, improving workflow and efficiency.
- FIFO Can Racks help with inventory management and prevent product waste by ensuring proper storage rotation. They are a great storage solution for smaller commissaries.
- Security Cages safeguard valuable assets and prevent theft, ensuring a secure and safe working environment. These are extremely important for storing or transporting high-dollar ingredients, alcohol, or liquor since they need a place to securely store those items.
By understanding the trends, challenges, and opportunities in the commissary industry, foodservice businesses can make informed decisions about their operations and ensure long-term success.
Customizing Support Equipment for Commissaries
In addition to the standard equipment listed above, commissaries can also benefit from customizing support equipment to meet their specific needs. This can include:
- Tailored storage solutions: Design custom shelving units, racks, and bins to optimize storage space and accommodate specific products.
- Specialized carts and racks: Create specialized carts and racks for transporting specific items, such as produce, meat, or cleaning supplies.
- Customized work surfaces: Design work surfaces to fit specific tasks and workflows, such as butcher blocks for meat preparation or stainless steel top tables for food assembly.
- Ergonomic equipment: Choose equipment that is designed to improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and prevent injuries for employees.
- Custom labeling and signage: Implement a clear and consistent labeling system to improve organization and efficiency.
Elevate Your Commissary with New Age Industrial Equipment
By investing in New Age Industrial equipment and partnering with industry experts like Zink Foodservice, commissaries can streamline their operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality. With a focus on durability, innovation, and customer satisfaction, New Age Industrial offers the essential tools to drive success in the commissary industry.
By working with New Age Industrial, you can benefit from our expertise in designing and manufacturing customized equipment that meets your exact needs. Our team can help you identify the best customization options and ensure that your equipment is built to the highest standards of quality and durability.
To learn how Drew Patterson and Zink Foodservice can help your business, download Drew’s virtual contact card or email Drew!
Ready to elevate your commissary? Contact New Age Industrial today to explore how our high-quality equipment and team of experts can help you optimize your operations.
Originally published by New Age Industrial – Original Article