To operate effectively and provide excellent results for customers, commercial kitchens need equipment like ovens, prep surfaces, hot holders, and walk-in coolers. Without them, it’s harder to optimize food preparation and storage. That leads to slow production and inadequate space solutions.But long lead times in the foodservice industry can mean months or even over a year to get the right equipment. Thankfully, there is a solution that meets demanding timelines with Thermo-Kool walk-in coolers and freezers.
Walk-in coolers are essential pieces of equipment. Without them, storing ingredients that need to be kept cold is harder, not only because of space, but also for safety reasons. But when it's time for a new walk-in, it's often easier said than done as the lead times for these large pieces of foodservice equipment can be extremely long.
Obtaining a walk-in cooler can be a several months-long process. From the order submission to the final installation in a kitchen, the average lead time for a walk-in cooler is over three months. During that time, commercial kitchens cannot operate at maximum efficiency or, in the case of new builds, cannot open. This disruption in operations when replacing an old unit can slow food preparation, limit menu options, and cost extra money for temporary cooling and storage solutions.
Thermo-Kool now has a solution - a new 4-week lead time! With this quicker procurement process, restaurants, hotels, schools, and other commercial kitchens know that purchasing a Thermo-Kool walk-in can not only withstand the test of time but will be up and operating in their facility in a month.
When comparing brands of walk-in coolers, it is essential to consider factors such as quality, craftsmanship, seals, durability, and flooring. Considering the customization opportunities offered in the walk-in cooler design is equally important. Customization allows for scalability and future upgrading as the kitchen grows. It also allows commercial kitchens to add helpful sections and accessories to the walk-in build.
For example, some foodservice businesses may want interchangeable panels, colored metal finishes to match kitchen decor, additional insulation, or metal flooring, while others may not. Having the ability to customize allows kitchens to pick solutions that work best for their individual needs. However, additional customization often means a longer lead time and even more waiting before procurement is complete.
Thermo-Kool customers, though, can customize things like materials, insulation, colors, and flooring within the same 4-week lead time. So there's no need to sacrifice quality or performance to get a customized cooler solution quickly.
On average, walk-in cooler lead times take between 10 and 12 weeks. That means that many commercial kitchens when looking for a new walk-in cooler solution, need to operate with their hands tied for over two months before they have the necessary equipment. The faster a commercial kitchen can get a walk-in cooler, the quicker it can operate at full speed and deliver the best customer results.
With a rapid delivery and 4-week lead time for walk-in coolers and freezers, businesses can have a competitive edge over other businesses in their area. In less than half the time it takes other supplies to deliver a walk-in cooler, foodservice businesses can be using a high-quality, reliable, customized walk-in solution from Thermo-Kool.
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