How much can DIY repairs save you?

Commercial kitchen repairs and maintenance are a regular part of any foodservice operation.

Although not as glamourous as creating new menu items, updating the decor in your establishment, or marketing your brand, they’re something every operator has to plan for. And without a proper plan, these little things can add up to costing you a lot.

---

According to research gathered by Pentallect, an operator requires 10.5 repairs a year on average and 8.5 are non-warranty types. With each repair call costing $158 on average, that adds up to an average annual spend of $1,338 on repair calls – plus a $638 average annual spend on parts on top of that.

The DIY approach is more important than ever

With the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, operators are looking to save money wherever possible. As of mid-September 2020, the National Restaurant Association reports 100,000 ‘permanent and long-term’ restaurant closures (roughly 16%) and claims another 40% could close within the next six months without government relief.

Restaurant operators are fighting to stay in business. They’re streamlining menus, optimizing for take-out and delivery, enhancing operational efficiencies, and implementing numerous other measures. A DIY approach to repairs and maintenance should be a part of every operator’s action plan right now.

Cost savings and utilizing staff

While some repairs and maintenance tasks should be left to a professional, research shows that 20 – 30% of these jobs could easily be handled by existing staff. These jobs include changing a gasket or a hood filter, installing a gas hose, adding casters to equipment, and replacing water filters. Essentially, if a task doesn’t require electrical or plumbing expertise, it’s probably a DIY job.

Pentallect’s research shows that by doing just 25% of non-warranty repairs in-house, an operator can save $414 per year on average. And right now, foodservice operators need to cut costs wherever they can.

Having existing staff take on DIY tasks also helps operators better utilize staff. In the current market, cross training might be what helps avoid lay-offs.

Where to find DIY parts and resources

For most DIY jobs, you only need the right replacement parts, a few tools, and some simple instructions. At TundraFMP, we make it easy to get started. Visit our DIY page any time for how-to videos with parts references and other helpful information. Additionally, if you’re looking for more one-on-one help, you can call our DIY Tech Connect line at 866-318-0350 for free virtual assistance from a service tech.