Just when American restaurant operators were thinking about expanding, they’re getting squeezed by a hiring crisis.
All across the country, operators are finding it difficult to hire enough seasoned servers, hosts, bartenders, cooks and dishwashers. “Some analysts blamed an economic recovery that isn’t as strong as it seems, but others have blamed powerful forces such as ongoing health fears and robust unemployment insurance for keeping people from seeking jobs in the service sector,” the Washington Post reports.
Caterer Olive Chase, owner of The Casual Gourmet, told NPR she’s had to turn down weddings because she doesn’t have enough staff. "Right at the moment when things could get really good,” she said, “you have something else that's going to hold you back."
If staffing is holding you back, your equipment can help you move forward. How can Hamilton Beach Commercial help?
Problem: Not Enough Prep Time
Every back-of-house staffer knows what it’s like to be in the weeds. But if food preparation tasks are consistently holding things up, it’s time to identify workarounds. The solution may be adding the PrimaVac™ in-chamber vacuum sealer to your kitchen lineup.
Many foodservice pros think of a vacuum sealer primarily as a tool for cooking sous vide. While that’s one of its uses, a vacuum sealer also can keep food fresh longer and pre-portion everything, speeding prep times. Prep cooks might use the vacuum sealer to:
- Individually seal seasoned burger patties, so they’re always ready to go
- Package pre-measured mixes for baked goods
- Portion out fish for freezing
- Keep pre-cut vegetables fresh so they can be sautéed à la minute
We designed the PrimaVac in-chamber sealer to be powerful and durable, at an affordable price point. The JetAire™ vacuum sealing pump removes 99.9% of air from packaging. Retherm pouches allow food to be boiled, microwaved, or frozen while maintaining the highest quality.
Problem: Slow Beverage Service
Milkshakes and other specialty blended beverages can be a major boost to a restaurant’s bottom line, but making them to order is a labor-intensive process. Having the right equipment can speed service and allow shorthanded staff to get more done.
Hamilton Beach Commercial high-performance blenders deliver a perfect blend every time with an automatic shutoff timer or pre-programmed drink cycles. An Auto Blend feature that automatically adjusts to give you the perfect drink consistency is available on the Summit® blender.
The SmartServe™ Blend in Cup is ideal for high-volume beverage service. Automated blend programs and the self-rinsing cycle allow staff to engage with customers while serving more than a drink per minute.
Problem: Dishes Piling Up
Dishwashers often hold the lowest-paid positions in a restaurant, but their work is crucial to operations. If an operator is having a hard time hiring and retaining dishwashers, there are only two options: Roll up your sleeves and start rinsing, or try to stop the dishes from piling up in the first place.
The BigRig™ family of immersion blenders can be your secret weapon. This heavy-duty, ergonomically designed immersion blender helps cooks rapidly blend large batches of soups, sauces and more, right in the pot. The shaft is detachable for easy cleaning, too.
The SmartServe™ Blend in Cup eliminates waste by blending in disposable cups — no pouring or cleaning blender jars.
The PrimaVac™ in-chamber vacuum sealer is a cleanup hero too. Marinate meats in vacuum pouches so you can keep the walk-in neat and avoid dirtying tubs. Pre-measure and vacuum-seal seasoning blends, mirepoix, sofrito — anything that typically involves a lot of chopping, measuring and washing.
Hamilton Beach Commercial is here to help you grow your business, whatever challenges you face. Explore our full line of intelligently designed foodservice and hospitality equipment solutions.
