Restaurant Technologies Forecasts the Year of the Smarter Kitchen at NAFEM Show 2017

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurant Technologies, leader in back-of-house (BOH) innovations, is scheduled to kick off the year of the smarter kitchen at the NAFEM Show, Feb. 9-11, in Orlando, Fla. The company plans to showcase its award-winning Total Oil Management solution, an automated oil management system, and recently launched AutoMist™, an automated hood, flue and fan cleaner; AutoMist is going to be featured in the WHAT'S HOT! WHAT'S COOL!^® product gallery for the first time.

"Technology is changing the way kitchens operate, and that is why we've forecasted 2017 the year of the smarter kitchen," said Jeff Kiesel, CEO of Restaurant Technologies. "We believe food service operators will realize that being smart in the kitchen is no longer an option, but an obligation to address the evolving needs of a new workforce and diverse consumer mindset."

Immersed in national conversations around the federal minimum wage, more than ever operators are faced with the reality of having to pay employees more to conduct simple, non-value-added tasks. As a result, smart, labor-saving technology that does the work while maintaining food quality is projected to become a priority in 2017.

Operators are invited to visit booth #255 to discuss labor costs and other hot buttons driving the need for BOH technology, and therefore informing Restaurant Technologies' forecast of the year of the smarter kitchen. Key factors expected to drive business success are highlighted below:

• Monitoring labor costs
  Common pain points among food service operators are finding and retaining talent, and concern over growing labor costs. Experts discuss how to efficiently monitor and manage labor expenses through technology by simplifying laborious tasks and giving workers what they need to excel.
                                             
• Using data and the Internet of Things (IoT)
  Data-driven decisions and IoT are at the forefront this year. When it comes to monitoring the amount of fryer oil used in an operation, Restaurant Technologies can provide consultation on how to turn insightful data into improved efficiencies and cost savings.
                                             
• Increasing food safety while decreasing food waste
  The food service industry is always central in the policy arena. This year, operators must plan for stricter food safety and food-waste regulations. Restaurant Technologies guides operators to elevate sustainability efforts and safety measures using technology in the BOH.

AutoMist is going to be featured in the WHAT'S HOT! WHAT'S COOL!^® product gallery, booth #1840. The system is designed to eliminate the hazardous buildup of grease in hoods and flues to mitigate the risk of a fire by automatically cleaning the equipment daily.

"AutoMist's inclusion in the product gallery is an endorsement from the industry that confirms back-of-house innovations don't have to sacrifice safety and efficiency for the sake of modernization," said Kiesel.

Restaurant Technologies is hosting live demonstrations of both the Total Oil Management system and AutoMist in booth #255. Attendees interested in scheduling a one-on-one booth session can do so at http://www.nafemshow.com.

About Restaurant Technologies™ 
A trusted partner for more than 15 years, Restaurant Technologies is the leading provider of cooking-oil management and back-of-house fire-safety solutions to more than 24,000 national quick-service and full-service restaurant chains, independent restaurants, grocery delis, hotels, casinos, universities and hospitals. Restaurant Technologies helps food service operators make their kitchens safer, smarter, more efficient and more sustainable through its automated oil storage, handling, filtration monitoring and disposal management systems and AutoMist™ fire-prevention systems. Headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minn., Restaurant Technologies is a privately held company, currently operates 40 depots and has more than 800 employees serving customers across the United States. For additional Restaurant Technologies information and news, visit www.rti-inc.com. Follow Restaurant Technologies on Twitter @RTIoil, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SOURCE Restaurant Technologies