Visualize Increased Revenue for Your Foodservice Operation

Close your eyes and imagine a bigger bottom line on your income statement. Is it working? It would be amazing if it actually worked to manifest higher revenue with the power of sheer will alone, but most of us need a solid plan to achieve real growth.

What are you trying to achieve?

• 
  Increase sales of a core product such as meats or baked goods?
• Introduce or highlight a product category such as gourmet desserts or artisanal cheeses?
• Add a new revenue stream such as pre-packaged, single serve or family-size meals?
  
• Serve more customers in less time with grab-and-go options?
• Attract new customers?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, the solution could be as clear as integrating a food merchandising or display case into your operation.

Here’s why:

Most people are visual by nature. Attractive food that is easy to see, easy to access, and quick to purchase, is simply easier to sell.

We are proud to represent Structural Concepts, visionaries of fresh food merchandising who’ve been setting the standard for innovative, refrigerated and heated food display solutions since 1972. They also offer some of the fastest shipping times in the industry to help foodservice operators quickly turn their plans into profits.

Read on to learn how Structural Concepts refrigerated cases helped Buster’s Butcher Shop in Memphis transform their business vision into reality to become a neighborhood icon.

Buster’s Butcher Shop is a full-service shop with curated meats, charcuterie, cheese, made-in-house prepared sides and sausages, specialty gourmet goods, and more. Buster’s butchers have searched far and wide for farms and ranches that adhere to the best practices in the industry, partnering only with those who raise their animals with integrity, supporting animal welfare and husbandry, while equally prioritizing environmental stewardship.

We spoke with Josh Hammond, co-owner of Buster’s, to learn more about his Memphis business and how the right equipment was key to making his new venture viable. The concept of Buster’s Butcher Shop was born in the summer of 2022 when Josh’s property manager, Laura, pitched a location to him next to Memphis’s renowned Buster’s Liquors, noting that it would be the perfect spot for the butcher shop he had long talked about opening.

Within 10 days, Josh had found a top-notch butcher and signed the lease. He quickly hired a designer, architect, and builder, and got possession of the space in November of 2022. The next step was equipping the shop.

Buster’s carefully curated meats had to be the star of the show, so refrigerated display cases were a top priority for their overall store design. Josh reached out to Hotel & Restaurant Supply, recommended by his builder, for help procuring equipment. 

H & R’s contract designer Adam Hill was assigned to the project, and he and Josh hit it off from the start. “Adam just got it,” recalled Josh. “He was great: always available, receptive, and thorough. His attention to detail was excellent with photos accompanying every quote. We used them again for walk-in refrigeration.”

Josh had a clear vision of what he wanted for his store, which strongly influenced his equipment specifications. 

Inspired by a New Orleans fish market adjacent to a boutique hotel, Josh’s goal for Buster’s was the look and atmosphere of a traditional, neighborhood butcher shop. 

It needed to be welcoming and a little nostalgic with upbeat music and the aroma of freshly prepared side dishes wafting through the air.

He wanted to showcase his curated meats in a sleek case, but he didn’t want it to look too contemporary. When it came to functionality, having the ability to front load the case for easy access and quick loading each morning was important to Josh and his head butcher Brad McCarley. 

In keeping with the welcoming ambience he wanted for his shop, he needed the cases to run quietly so customers could enjoy the background music. Remote refrigeration equipment that could be mounted on the roof was the key to making that possible.

Adam recommended Structural Concepts Fusion cases for two 4-foot sections and two 8-foot sections. 

Fusion cases kept the focus on Buster’s star products. They were attractive without distracting from the product, and they could be equipped with remote refrigeration. 

Even better, Josh could get the cases he needed from Structural Concepts in time for the store’s scheduled opening in the summer of 2023.

Buster’s Butcher Shop officially opened in August of 2023, with great enthusiasm and support from the Memphis community. Since then, they’ve proudly served over 18,000 customers.

What’s next for Buster’s? “That’s a good question,” said Josh. “Maybe fish.”  

Every foodservice operation has its own unique needs, which is why so many types of cases are on the market. Structural Concepts cases are built to last, operate efficiently, and minimize operating costs.

For help matching the right model to your specific application, contact us.