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Showing posts with the label Structural Concepts

New Foodservice Products Designed for Operational Flexibility

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From a fresh food merchandiser that can transform an underutilized space, to serving pieces that can be safely used indoors or out, to a ventless pot and pan washer that isn’t restricted to ductwork, these new foodservice products make flexibility the rule. Read on to see what's new! The Hatco Programmable Multi-Burner Countertop Induction Range is the only multi-burner programmable induction range of its kind, providing multi-stage cooking control across a single countertop system.  Six independently controlled burners carry out programmed recipes using time, power level, or temperature setpoints, helping maintain consistent results with less labor. The system stores up to eight recipes that can be accessed across all burners, allowing operators to standardize performance and repeat results every time.   Designed for autonomous fresh food merchandising in tighter spaces, the ARM Slim by Structural Concepts delivers advanced, frictionless retail in a refined, compact ...

Find Your Foodservice Fix at NRA ’26!

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The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show is May 16-19, 2026, in Chicago. This year’s show is expected to once again bring in over 53,000 foodservice professionals from 100+ countries, continued proof that it’s the premier destination for foodservice innovation and inspiration. If you’re dealing with tight space, rising costs, labor shortages, or all of the above, you can find your fix at NRA '26 with  new products designed to solve operational challenges and improve efficiency .  Here’s just a taste of product innovations that are in store this year.   Cleveland 60-Gallon PowerPan ™ Gas Tilt Skillet With a capacity of 60 gallons in a 40-gallon footprint, the space-saving 60-Gallon PowerPan ™ Gas Tilt Skillet was made for operator ease and comfort with features like the easyTouch controller, power tilt, and a low 37" rim height. It’s also available in an electric model. See it at the show in booth #4801.   Convotherm mini pro The Convotherm mini...

Make Healthy Choices Easy: Grab'n Go Strategies for School Nutrition

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Need to find a better way to make healthy meal choices easier for your busiest students? Fresh, preportioned foods such as salads, yogurt parfaits, and sandwich wraps are appetizing options students can quickly grab and go. Strong merchandising is key to enhancing visibility, accessibility, and proper serving temperature. Well designed and stocked merchandisers also help students get through the line faster.  These grab'n go merchandisers make fresh food options appealing, accessible, and easy for students to eat smart, even when they're on the go.   The Oasis Refrigerated Self-Service Dual Sided Case keeps the lines moving on both sides with an efficient way to serve milk and other cold grab’n go items like sandwiches, smoothies, yogurt, and veggie cups. This versatile Structural Concepts merchandising case enables you to serve healthy options to double the students in the same amount of time in a footprint that’s just a little larger than a single-sided case.  ...

7 Solutions for Serving Hot Food Hot

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Even as the weather warms, the path from kitchen to table can have a cooling effect on hot food. Distance, drafts, outdoor and off-premise dining all pose threats to food temperature and quality. Thankfully, with so many ways to boost and protect food temperature, there’s no need to fear or hear complaints about cold food. Sometimes, one simple operational change is all it takes to make a big difference. Here are 7 equipment MVP’s that all play important roles in protecting hot food so it can be enjoyed hot and delicious. 1. Plate Warmers A heated plate can boost serving temperatures and help keep food warm throughout the meal by preventing heat loss.  The Hatco PW Plate Warmer holds up to 25 pre-heated serving plates at an adjustable range of 104° to 122° F to help extend the hot holding times of most foods. Its doorless, open design makes it easy for staff to load and retrieve plates and clean the warmer. 2. Strip Heaters Hatco Glo-Ray Strip Heaters keep hot food hot ...

Smart Menu Strategies to Win Over Price-Conscious Diners

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Running an independent restaurant isn’t easy. With most customers watching every dollar, it can feel like the big, national chains have the advantage with their massive marketing budgets and deep discounts.  But here’s the good news. You already have what many chains can’t offer: authenticity, creativity, and a closer connection with your guests. By making a few smart adjustments, you can highlight affordable menu options that attract attention and keep your regulars coming back. The key is to present value in a way that makes sense for your kitchen, your concept, and your customers. Whether you have one location or several, here are five scalable menu ideas that can help you stand out while still protecting your bottom line:   1. Two-Item Combos Pairing two popular items together at a set price gives guests the feeling of getting more for their money.  Think soup and sandwich or salad, sliders and fries, or a taco with a side. Combos are easy to promote, easy t...

Why Grab & Go Is a Must-Have for Foodservice Operators This Fall

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As independent manufacturers’ representatives in the foodservice industry, we see firsthand how operator success depends on adapting to customer lifestyles. Today’s diners—whether busy families juggling back-to-school schedules, professionals running between meetings, or single-person households seeking convenience—are looking for food that fits seamlessly into their day. That’s why grab and go menu offerings have become a viable revenue stream for restaurants, cafés, and other foodservice operators. They provide the perfect balance of convenience, quality, and speed for diners on-the-go, all while giving operators a chance to serve more customers without adding significant labor or slowing down traditional service. With the hectic fall season in full swing, demand for quick, fresh, and ready-to-eat options is especially strong. Parents don’t have time to cook between school drop-offs, soccer practice, and homework. Professionals need something fast but satisfying to fuel their day...