Uh Oh. Handling Restaurant Disaster Recovery
September 11, 2018No one wants to think about a major disaster hitting their restaurant. Unfortunately, it can happen at any time.
In Arkansas, large areas (including Little Rock) were declared disaster areas as recently as last summer. Severe flooding, wind damage, and tornados are part of life here.
And that doesn’t even take into account things that can happen inside your restaurant, including fire, theft, vandalism, chemical spills, and other major events.
While disaster isn’t guaranteed, it’s common enough that you need to have a plan. Here’s how to get your commercial kitchen back in order after this kind of event.
Have a Contingency Plan for Big and Small Problems
Before anything terrible every happens to your restaurant or commercial kitchen, think about what you would do if there was a disaster and create a contingency plan.
Don’t just think of big things like grease fires or tornados. Go through this process for small but vital problems, like power outages, an unruly or violent customer, a walk-in cooler breaking, or your key cooking equipment failing to work.
For each problem, list the steps to take:
- Who needs to be notified, and who’s in charge of that communication?
- What do the employees and customers need to do?
- Who is in charge of making sure everyone follows though?
- Who is the next in command if the primary leader can’t perform duties?
- What key names and phone numbers are needed in each situation?
Your plan should be simple and straightforward. Ideally, a greeter on his or her first day should be able to execute them. Keep your contingency plans in an easy-to-find location, preferably in a binder, and review the steps with employees regularly.
Handling a Fire
Fires are one of the most common causes of destruction in any building, whether a home or a restaurant. Restaurants are especially susceptible because of the high heat, gas fixtures, and high levels of activity.
Recovering from a large fire can mean being closed for days or even months. The first thing you’ll have to do is clean every surface and throw out any food or beverages that were near the fire. Even a surface that looks clean, or food that looks ok, can be tainted with dust, ash, and chemicals from fire extinguishers.
If the fire was large, calling a professional restoration company can be your best option. It will give you a chance to think through your next steps and determine what new equipment you need for your commercial kitchen.
After a Flood
As you may know from living in the Little Rock area, flooding is about much more than water. Floodwaters contain a ton of mud, bugs, and refuse – and sometimes, animals as well. And even once all of that is out of your commercial kitchen, there’s the threat of mold and mildew.
Floods are another time you’ll want a professional clean-up crew. You’ll have to disinfect every surface in both the front and back of the house. Carpet will have to be replaced, as well as furniture, equipment, and much more.
Once your equipment is cleaned and sterilized, replace all filters. You will probably also want your electrical systems, HVAC, and plumbing cleaned and checked.
Get the Equipment Your Commercial Kitchen Needs
After a disaster, you may not be in a position to buy brand new equipment for every station. Fortunately, high-quality used equipment is available as well.
If you’re recovering from a disaster, you have enough on your plate. Contact us for help sourcing the right equipment at the right price. We’re here to serve you!
4 Money-Saving Strategies You Can Use in Your Restaurant NOW
Running a restaurant is one of the most interesting and lucrative businesses one can engage in with the right money-saving strategies. However, it also poses to be one of the most difficult. Many factors have to be put into consideration in order to make sure that...
Businesses that Should be Selling Frozen Beverages in 2017
Adding a frozen beverage machine to your slate of money-making channels is great way to drum up additional sales. Since there is low overhead cost associated with selling frozen beverages, whether it is an FCB (Frozen Carbonated Beverage) or FUB (Frozen Uncarbonated...
Start Preparing Your Restaurant for Summer!
As a restaurant owner, you may have noticed that weather has affects the number of customers that walk through your door. It is widely understood, for example, that rain drives customers indoors as they seek shelter from the storm. Snowstorms, of course, discourage...
Create a Memorable Dining Experience with the Right Flatware
According to Will Rogers, “you will never get a second chance to make a first impression.” In a restaurant, flatware is a small but essential part of making a great impression. Flatware is a particularly important design element because customers won’t just look it;...
Cleaning Your Commercial Deep Fryer Made Easy
A commercial deep fryer requires daily cleaning to keep the appliance in perfect working condition. However, cleaning the restaurant’s deep fryer is one of the most dreaded tasks for many restaurant workers. Who could blame them? The process of cleaning a deep fryer...
The Top Chefs Use Cast Iron. Do You?
From pots to pans, restaurant cookware has been made out of all kinds of materials. What kind do you use? It’s time for you to use cast iron. Cast iron cookware has many benefits. Let’s take a look at why you need to be using cast iron in your professional kitchen....
How to Crash the Dine and Dash
Any business that sells physical products is subject to the occasional theft. So do restaurants, but it's just called dine and dash. Those who dine and dash take advantage of the fact that they receive their purchase before they pay, rather than after. In many...
Preparing for Your Restaurant’s Grand Opening
Starting a restaurant is an adventure, especially with the Grand Opening. There will have been months of planning, preparation, purchasing and hiring for your grand opening. When you finally have everything ready, your grand opening is a big deal. If everything is...
Guide to Buying the Perfect Knives
Knives are arguably one of the most important tools in any kitchen. Your chefs are the heartbeat of your restaurant and they deserve quality knives that ease the task of cooking great food. When buying the perfect knives for your chefs, keep in mind that the most...
Equipment Buying Tips for Restaurant Owners
If you own a restaurant or you’re starting a new one, you will need the right equipment. It is important to choose quality equipment that will not only get the job done well but also cost you less in the long run. However, it can be hard to know where to start. Here...
5 Decor Ideas for an Inviting Restaurant Feel
Great food and customer service are important parts of the equation that keeps customers coming, but the restaurant experience is not just about the food. The best restaurants cater to every aspect of a customer’s experience. The right ambiance is a must. This means...
5 Tips for an Ergonomically Sound Restaurant
The physical environment of your restaurant should not only be appealing to customers but also be comfortable and safe for your employees. Due to the repetitive motions that characterize the job description of restaurant employees, there is a potential for...
How to Make Your Silverware Sparkle and Shine
No one wants to eat off of dirty or tarnished silverware. While it’s easy to clean silverware of leftover food, the tarnishing will still linger unless you take steps to make your silverware shine. To make the best impression on your guests, your silverware should not...
Top 6 Movies for Restaurant Owners
The movies that connect with us on a personal level are the ones that linger in our memories forever, especially when it deals with food and the drama in a commercial kitchen. Achieving that level of intimacy in the fictional world of movies is easier said than done....