Evaluating New Foodservice Products with the “And” Test

No matter how big or small, every foodservice business purchase must do more than ever before. How do you ensure that you’re getting more than just a “flash in the pan” when investing in a new product for your operation?

Try applying the “and” test. What’s that? It’s a basic calculation of how many criteria each product you're considering meets. It can be used for this and that…and it can do this and that…and so on. The more “ands” the better, but a minimum of three (including any nonnegotiable criteria) is a good place to start for a purchasing thumbs up.

Here are some example criteria, in no specific order:

• It helps maintain food, beverage, or service quality and consistency
• It supports menu expansion
• It can perform multiple functions or be used in different applications
• It’s built for reliable, commercial use
• It’s easy to use
• It’s fairly priced
• It improves workflows or speeds up a task
• It supports safety and/or hygiene
• It’s energy efficient
• It looks good

Ready to try it? See how the “and” test applies to the latest crop of new products and your foodservice operation.

The IGRID Induction Griddle from Hatco is a versatile countertop powerhouse that combines a durable cooking surface with powerful induction technology. From perfectly fluffy pancakes to juicy burgers and more, it delivers speed, consistency, and precision. 

Unlike traditional induction units that require a pan, the cooktop is the pan, enabling direct-contact cooking without cookware. 

With a 24" W x 18" D dual-zone cooktop that reaches 350°F in 12 minutes and a maximum temperature of 550°F, this griddle is essential for boosting efficiency and enhancing menus.

TableCraft’s new line of elegant Stainless Steel Coffee Carafes keep drinks hot or cold for up to 6 hours with vacuum insulation that maintains temperature and flavor. 

A thumb-press lid ensures quick, hygienic pouring, while the ergonomic handle and spout offer controlled, drip-free service. 

Stainless Steel carafes are available in gold, silver, in black finishes in 34, 50, and 68 oz capacities.

Plastic Coffee Carafes by TableCraft feature a frosted finish and clean modern lines, delivering both style and performance. 

Vacuum insulated with a glass liner, they keep beverages hot or cold for up to 4 hours. 

Available in white or black polypropylene plastic in 17 oz, 34 oz, and 50 oz capacities.

Serve creamers and milk alternatives in style with the sleek, double-wall 18-8 stainless steel Coffee Creamer Carafe from TableCraft. 

Ideal for fast-paced foodservice setups, these dishwasher safe carafes are vacuum insulated to keep contents cold for up to 3 hours and have a flip-top lid and a comfortable handle for easy filling and smooth, controlled pouring. Available in 24 and 34 ounce capacities.

Whether you're offering dairy, almond, oat, or soy milk, TableCraft’s new, colorful Silicone Flavor Bands make it easy to label insulated carafes for a smooth, self-serve experience.

Stainless Steel Push Button Airpots by TableCraft keep beverages at the perfect temperature for up to 6 hours with double-wall vacuum insulation and a stainless steel lining. 

The easy push-button dispenser with lock function ensures clean, secure self-service, making it perfect for breakfast buffets, meetings, or catered events. Available in black and satin finished stainless steel in 2.5 and 3.0L capacities. An orange decaf lid that fits both sizes is also available and sold separately.

TableCraft’s elegant black Airpot Rack Holder with Drip Tray showcases and secures a single airpot in style. Ideal for self-serve setups in hotels, conference centers, offices, and events, this black, powder-coated stainless steel rack includes a drip tray and reservoir for a cleaner service area.

It’s easy to keep your coffee and tea stations tidy with this durable and stylish black Bamboo Condiment Station. 

With six compartments for sugars, creamers, stirrers, and such, three tall towers (removable) for cups, lids, or syrup bottles, it offers a clean, practical setup with a contemporary look. 

Available in Black and Natural Coated Bamboo.

New, long handled coffee scoops from TableCraft feature an 8.5" to 9" handle (depending upon the capacity) making it easy to scoop grounds from tall containers and coffee bags. 

These dishwasher-safe 18-8 stainless steel scoops feature a keyhole handle for convenient storage, capacity embossed on the handle, and are available in ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 2 tsp, 1 Tbsp, and 2 Tbsp capacities.

The new Edlund VariCut Food Processor is built tough to handle the daily demands of your busy kitchen. 

A 7-in-1 adjustable thickness blade and over 30 cutting disc options enable your team to perfectly slice, dice, shred, and more. 

Components are removable and dishwasher safe for quick and hygienic cleanup.

The New Age Industrial two-in-one Sheet Pan & Steam Table Pan Combination Dolly streamlines operations with a dedicated solution for safe, efficient transport and storage of both 18×26 sheet pans and 12×20 steam table pans. 

This efficient dolly eliminates the need for multiple carts, reduces clutter, and improves workflow while minimizing the risk of injuries associated with manual handling of heavy loads. 

Equipped with horizontal push handle, center divider, and four 5″ plate type, swivel casters with brakes for effortless movement and secure positioning in your kitchen.

The Convotherm mini pro was designed specifically to help conquer today’s biggest foodservice challenges like limited space, a shortage of trained staff, and high energy and water costs. 

A full-fledged combi oven, this versatile and efficient oven delivers high volumes of quality food in less space. Only 19.6" wide, with seamless stacking capability, and ventless operation, the mini pro helps you make the most of your space. 

AI-driven optical cooking supports uniform cooking with minimal training and effort.

The mini pro provides unmatched versatility with the widest range of cooking modes, from air frying to sous vide, making it a valuable replacement for multiple pieces of kitchen equipment. 

The Champion UH130B MAX Undercounter High Temp Dish Machine with Multi-level racking system provides maximum flexibility and increased ware capacity simultaneously washing dishes, cutlery, and utensils in a 288-second total cycle. 

Its “Wash Refresh” feature automatically drains the water for the next cycle, ensuring heavily soiled wares are washed with new, fresh water. 

The UH130B MAX features quiet, double-wall construction, 15 ¾” overall chamber height with two interior racks, and a built-in booster heater.

Want to learn more? We’re happy to help you evaluate and identify the best equipment and supplies for your foodservice operation. Contact us!