Spring 2011 Serving restaurants Everywhere The Front Burner Presents Technology Is Changing The Restaurant Industry Save Some gold thru 6.30.11 Tundra Specialties 888.594.4183 888.594.4183 1 Take yourself back to 2005 for a minute. For most of us that doesn’t really seem like a long time ago, and yet so much has changed for the food service indus- try since then. In 2005, Facebook was barely a year old and known only to college students. The invention of Twitter was still a year away and three years would pass before the first Groupon coupon was ever issued. In six years technology has altered the landscape in which restaurants operate, and the reach of these ad- vances goes far beyond the internet. A good example is the way the iPad has begun to take over menus and profoundly change how they interact with customers. Touch screen and wireless technology makes ordering food an interactive experience that engages customers like never before. Early adopting restaurants have reported a 20% increase in sales af- ter converting things like wine lists to iPads. Sometimes, technology can be the best salesman in your restaurant. Certainly the iPad and the internet are only the begin- nings of the new frontiers technology will open for res- taurants. In this issue of The Front Burner we discuss some of the most important and cutting edge advancements that have a direct impact on the food service industry. That said, three core principles remain the same: quality food, excellent service, and an attractive concept set in a comfortable atmosphere determine whether restau- rants succeed or fail. The advent of all this technology merely allows restaurants to accomplish these funda- mental goals more efficiently, with better effectiveness, and in a more stylish manner than previously thought possible. Keep those basic ideas in mind as you explore the new frontiers of technology. Michael Lewis Tundra Pioneer 2 Tundra Specialties 888.594.4183 Technology Is Changing The Restaurant Industry Technology is like the California Gold Rush: everyone’s moving fast and trying to get a piece of the action. And while technological nuggets like Google and the iPad have changed how millions of businesses operate, the food service industry has largely been left behind. Finding ways to tame the technological frontier for the benefit of restaurants was a major topic of discussion last year at the annual National Restaurant Association show in Chicago, and though res- taurants have been slow to adopt new technology, many restaura- teurs are now realizing just how much they stand to benefit. Venturing out into the great Tech Territory can be daunting – every new service and gadget requires significant investment and a quick learning curve. But for the gunslinging restaurateur who is willing to bring that technology to bear there are riches and fame there for the taking. Okay, “riches and fame” might be a tall tale – but the benefits of leveraging the advantages of technology can be very real for any restaurant, and those who don’t keep up stand to be left behind. SavE SoME goLD! Over 850 Items On SaLE noW A Brave NEw FRONT OF ThE hOuSE 1. {8-9} ThE Server’S Favorite SIx-ShOOTER 2. {24} Get your restaurant GIVE YOuR MENu A GOLdEN SPIKE {28} ready for warm weather 3. with seasonal essentials. ThE INTERNET dEALS A Short hANd 4. {40} {4-7} ANd CAN ALSO GIVE YOu A FuLL hOuSE 5. {43} COMPuTERS ARE LIKE A GOOd MuLE {47} Look for FrEE Shipping 6. on select items "We just thought it was the right thing to do, both for our business and for our customers" On the cutting edge Of fOOd safety {50} Tundra Specialties 888.594.4183 3 outdoor grills • All stainless steel construction • Liquid propane (natural gas available) • Includes roll dome top(s) • Ships fully assembled 10 year main burner & cooking grate warranty 1 year part & labor warranty Cooking Overall List Sale Lease/ Model Width Burners BTU W x D x H Price Price Mo.* MCB-30pKg-Lp 28” 4 64,500 38” x 28” x 36” $ 3900.00 $ 2017.60 $ 53.46 MCB-36pKg-Lp 34” 5 79,500 44” x 28” x 36” $ 4420.00 $ 2286.61 $ 60.58 MCB-48-Lp/rD-48 46” 6 99,000 56” x 28” x 36” $ 5550.00 $ 2871.20 $ 76.08 MCB-60-Lp/rD-60 58” 8 129,000 69” x 28” x 36” $ 6980.00 $ 3610.99 $ 95.66 MCB-60 MCB-72-Lp/rD-72 70” 10 159,000 81” x 28” x 36” $ 7660.00 $ 3962.78 $ 104.98 Model CvpHS-1 Sink Cart outdoor Heaters List price $ 4550.00 Sale price $ 2353.87 • Stainless steel construction • Stainless steel burner head • One compartment sink construction • Anti-tilt cut-off switch Silver Antique • (2) 5 gallon fresh water tanks Veined Bronze • (2) 7.5 gallon waste water tanks • wide wheel base for transport • 12 foot cord stability Model Color Sale 3 1 3 • 34 /8”w x 25 /4”d x 47 /4”h • 45,000 BTu • Ships fully assembled • uses 20 or 30 lb. propane Cv2650-SS Stainless Steel $ 450.08 cylinder (not included) Cv2650-Sv Silver Veined $ 379.99 • 90” high Cv2650-aB Antique Bronze $ 379.99 1 • 18 /4” base dia. • 32” reflector dia. note: 2 and 3 compartment sinks are available CV2650-SS • MPC® synthetic wicker ® MpC Synthetic Wicker Tables & Chairs • durable, all weather performance • Chairs are stackable Tobacco Espresso • Easy to clean Model Color Sale price ARMChAIRS 453090-08 Tobacco $ 779.99/12 chairs 453090-37 Espresso $ 779.99/12 chairs SIdEChAIRS 456090-08 Tobacco $ 773.99/12 chairs 456090-37 Espresso $ 773.99/12 chairs 32” SquARE FOLdING TABLES US7430-08 Tobacco $ 281.48/2 tables havana Armchair havana Sidechair havana Table havana Table (Folded) US7430-37 Espresso $ 281.48/2 tables all products carry a commercial manufacturer warranty ® • Rexform® sythetic teakwood rexform Synthetic Teakwood Tables & Chairs 1 • Table has 1 /2” dia. umbrella hole • durable, all weather performance • Easy to clean Model Color Sale price ATLANTIC ARMChAIRS 494420-08 Teakwood $ 529.99/12 chairs 494420-78 Amazon Green $ 529.99/12 chairs ACAdIA ARMChAIRS 461190-08 Teakwood $ 460.12/12 chairs Teakwood 461190-78 Amazon Green $ 460.12/12 chairs ATLANTIS 32” SquARE FOLdING TABLES Amazon Teakwood 2 tables Atlantic Armchair Acadia Armchair Atlantis Table Green US6430-08 $ 281.48/ US6430-78 Amazon Green $ 281.48/2 tables all products carry a commercial manufacturer warranty Grosfillex offers a full line of easy to fold and store resin tables with coordinating ASTM Rated to 300 lbs chairs, umbrellas & bases. 4 Tundra Specialties 888.594.4183 how To Make YOuR Restaurant Everyone’s Favorite Backyard Spring is well underway in most corners of the united States, and the consistently, making things easier for your warmer weather has every grillmaster from Oregon to Ohio itching line and meaning your customer won’t to get some beef patties sizzling in the backyard. For restaurants, the find things over or under cooked. spring thaw can also be a great time as well as you clean off the pick good buns. All this focus on the patio furniture and start setting up the umbrellas of summer. quality of the beef doesn’t mean you onE THing iS CErTain: everyone IS IN ThE MOOd FOR A BuRGER! can just forget about the bun, which This presents a great opportunity for any restaurant to place their has got to be the second most im- own creative stamp on the classic American hamburger. portant ingredient, hands down. SoME TipS For prEparing THE pErFECT paTTy: There’s a huge array of bun sizes, flavors, and textures, and picking grind your own beef. There’s only one way to ensure a high-quality just the right one for your beef pat- patty: by grinding your own beef. It’s the only way to know for sure ties is the secret to a truly tasty burger. that you’re serving up the freshest hamburger around. You can buy a meat grinder attachment for your mixer that will make quick work Don’t broil – grill it! Crown Verity outdoor of the beef. and portable food service equipment (see opposite page) is ideal for grilling Chill everything out. Obviously you’re keeping those patties out of up your perfectly prepared burgers. The the danger zone, but are you keeping the equipment you use to benefits of cooking your patties on a grill grind your beef cold as well? This keeps the good stuff in the meat over the charbroiler or griddle on the line instead of smeared all over your equipment, ensuring a tasty burger are twofold: 1) they’ll taste better and 2) you every time. can use the grill to create a great backyard at- Weigh your patties. A good portion scale (see page 17) will help en- mosphere at your restaurant and engage customers sure consistent size and shape, which means each patty will cook in the process. Landmark Series Security Container Landmark Series With ash Tray dOME TOP BASE COLLAR LEG Retainer STRAP dOME TOP w/hOLE COLLAR ASh Tray Model Description Sale price BLACK Model Description Sale price Fg3975L1BLa dome Top $ 93.57 BLACK Fg3975L2BLa Base $ 79.22 Fg3975M2BLa dome Top w/hole $ 140.45 Fg3975L4BLa Collar with Lock $ 110.86 Fg3975L3BLa Collar $ 110.86 Fg3975L6BLa Leg (for 45 gal.) $ 37.62 dRIFTwOOd dRIFTwOOd Fg3975L3DWooD Collar $ 110.86 Fg3975L1DWooD dome Top $ 93.57 Model 3975-01 SABLE Fg3975L2DWooD Base $ 79.22 Model 3975-89 Fg3975L6DWooD Leg (for 45 gal.) $ 37.62 Fg3975L3SBLE Collar $ 110.86 Black driftwood Sable Fg3975M3SBLE Ash Tray $ 57.96 SABLE Black driftwood Sable Fg3975L1SBLE dome Top $ 93.57 Landmark Series With Funnel Top Fg3975L2SBLE Base $ 79.22 Fg3975L6SBLE Leg (for 45 gal.) $ 37.62 Fg3975M40000 Retainer Strap $ 3.52 Landmark Series BASE COLLAR FuNNEL COLLAR PIANO hINGE Classic Container Model Description Sale price dRIFTwOOd ASh/TRASh TOP SANd pan Fg3961L2DWooD Base $ 70.24 Fg3962L2DWooD Collar $ 44.79 Model Description Sale price dRIFTwOOd SABLE Fg3961L2SBLE Base $ 70.24 Fg3961L1DWooD Ash/Trash Top $ 59.16 Model 3967 Fg3962L2SBLE Collar $ 44.79 Model 3966 SABLE Fg3962L1SBLE Funnel Collar $ 112.91 Ash/Trash Top Fg3961L1SBLE $ 59.16 driftwood Sable Fg3961L3SBLE Sand Pan $ 38.62 Fg3962L30000 Piano hinge $ 91.50 driftwood Sable Tundra Specialties 888.594.4183 5 Model MT-84 Countertop Cooler • LEd light from canopy highlights product • Anti-fog tempered glass sliding lids List price $ 960.00 • Includes ice cream tubholder, skirts & casters Sale price $ 389.90 Deluxe LED Dipping Cabinets • Manual defrost • Temperature range 0° to 40°F • holds up to (84) 12 oz.