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The Missouri Restaurant Association

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Fast Fix LLC is a proud member of the Missouri Restaurant Association . The Missouri Restaurant Association is a state wide trade association representing over 1500 member establishments. Membership is diverse, and includes full-service luxury restaurants, hotels, institutions, fast-foods, schools, contract feeders and ancillary food service such as in theme parks and sports stadiums. In today's blog, you'll learn more about the association and what it means to be a member. History of the Missouri Restaurant Association The restaurant trade association movement traces back to Missouri. In 1916, local business owners banded together to resist encroachment on their own business. The Kansas City Business Men's Association was the forerunner of the restaurant movement in America. Members of this organization went on to establish both the Missouri and the National Restaurant Associations. In 1919, restaurateurs from across the country came together to form the Nation Res...

The History of the Restaurant Industry

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The idea of offering food in exchange for money dates back to at least medieval times. Street vendors and caterers were readily available in Ancient Rome. Medieval travelers would often dine at inns and taverns, but the meal options were limited and often times, everyone would eat the same thing at the same time. However, restaurants as we know them today are credited to the French Revolution, and modern food service is a product of the Industrial Revolution. Keep reading to learn more about the history of the restaurant industry from Fast Fix LLC . 18th Century France  While public eateries existed in Ancient Rome and Sung Dynasty China, restaurants as we know them today are generally credited to 18th century France. The word "restaurant" is derived from the French word "restaurer"which means to restore. Pre-revolution French restaurants were not fancy establishments; they were actually a place that people who were not feeling well could go to get a me...

Use a Safety First Mindset When Dealing with Restaurant Equipment

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As a restaurant owner, you want your food-service equipment to last a long time. The best way to make this happen is with proper appliance care. When caring for your commercial food-service equipment, it's important that you use a safety first mindset. Depending on the type of equipment your restaurant has, electrical, gas and water issues can all arise. Keep reading for some safety tips to keep in mind when dealing with your restaurant equipment. Safety and Health Hazards The food service industry involves a variety of safety and health hazards. Below is a general list of hazards associated with the use and care of commercial kitchen equipment: Cuts and amputations  Burns and scars Electric shock and electrocution  Slips and falls  Each person working with equipment and appliances should receive proper training before hand. Make sure that everyone operating equipment, cleaning equipment and/or maintaining equipment has been properly trained on how to do so....

5 Common Issues That Restaurants Face

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The restaurant industry is one of the most risky businesses you can choose to get involved in. The competition is high, and making your restaurant last can be a difficult task. In today's blog, we discuss some of the common problems restaurants face. By addressing these issues early on, you'll be setting your restaurant business up for success! 1. Menu Selections  One of the most important decisions restaurants have to make is what they will serve to their customers. When choosing to open a restaurant, you probably have a general idea of what types of food you want to serve, but determining specifically what dishes will go on the menu is no easy task. Be sure to keep the size of the menu in check. A menu that is too large will cause longer ordering times and also require more ingredients, and sometimes more commercial kitchen equipment. 2. Customer Service  While all businesses should focus on a good customer experience, that's definitely true in the restaurant ...

Restaurant Kitchen Trends and Improvements for 2017

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With the new year here, restaurant owners are making decisions on how to improve their business in 2017. While customer service is also important, the main focus of a restaurant is the kitchen. The kitchen is where the food is produced and the food is what keeps people coming back again and again. In today's blog, we discuss a few restaurant kitchen trends and improvements you might consider for 2017. 1. Energy-Efficient Equipment If you haven't already done so, consider upgrading your commercial kitchen equipment to energy-efficient appliances. An investment in energy-saving equipment will pay off for years to come. Consider slowly converting to Energy Star-rated freezers, walk-ins, ovens and fryers throughout the year. You will see a decrease in your electricity bills. 2. High Speed Ovens  High-speed ovens are ideal for quick and limited service restaurants, convenience stores, hotels and universities. They can cook up to 15 times faster than conventional cooking ...

Deciding Between Repair or Replacement of Your Commerical Kitchen Equipment

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Everyone needs to eat, and we rely more on food-service equipment than we realize. Restaurants especially rely on proper working equipment. Only when a piece of equipment fails do we realize its importance. In today's blog, Fast Fix LLC discusses a few tips for deciding whether it's time to repair the equipment or just buy new when it fails. The 50% Rule One of the best ways to determine if your money is better spent on repairs or replacement is by using the 50% rule. This rule states that if your appliance is more than 50% through its lifespan and repair is also more than 50% of the cost to buy a new one, it's better to just replace the appliance. A professional restaurant equipment repair technician in Missouri should be able to tell you the average lifespan of the certain piece of equipment, the replacement cost and the repair cost so that you have all the information to make the best decision for you and your business. Extra Fees When determining the price ...

4 Ideas for Effectively Managing Your Restaurant Over the Holidays

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The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for restaurants. During the holidays, 61% of restaurants face declining numbers of customers. However, many quick-service restaurants flourish due to the amount of people out shopping. Whether you're planning to stay open all through the holidays or just certain days, there's a lot of planning that goes into restaurant management this time of year. In today's blog, we offer a few tips for effectively managing your restaurant over the holidays! 1. Schedule Staff Accordingly.  While it may be hard to know exactly how busy you'll be on a holiday weekend, it's important that you consider staffing carefully. You don't want to get slammed with not enough employees, but you also don't want the staff standing around bored and mad that they aren't at home with their families. Consider how busy you were last year over the holidays, and also take into consideration the competition. How many other re...