We’ll walk you through the steps you can take to start your new career

Making a career or job switch can be a difficult decision to make. It takes courage and fortitude to venture into the unknown, take a risk, and try something new. If you’re currently working as a repair or maintenance technician and need a new challenge, consider entering the field of commercial food service equipment repair. Not sure how to begin the process?

1. Assess Your Readiness to Work as a Commercial Kitchen Repair Service Tech

Repair techs in the commercial kitchen industry work with top-of-the-line equipment in full-service commercial and restaurant kitchens. The work is engaging, fulfilling, and there’s room for professional growth. Technicians also have a high level of autonomy and freedom in their work. At ATECH, we trust and train our service technicians to use their experience and problem-solving skills to identify and implement solutions for our clients. Over the years, we’ve learned that the most successful service technicians tend to have the following skills:

Desire to learn all you can and be the best in your field
Solid foundation of proper troubleshooting skills
Good understanding of how to read a schematic
Strong ability to build relationships with customers by clearly explaining what is wrong with equipment and the steps being taken to fix it

If the list above describes your skills, you might be qualified for a career in commercial kitchen equipment repair. Read on to find out how you can make the switch.

2. Leverage Your Current Experience

While commercial equipment is generally more advanced than home appliances, they’re similar in terms of mechanical functioning. Experience with home appliance repair, general maintenance, or HVAC repair gives you an advantage when applying for employment with a commercial kitchen repair company. Always mention your prior experience, even if it doesn’t seem directly related. Any mechanical or repair experience will make you a more qualified candidate. In addition, you should point out if you’ve already gone through VOTECH (Vocational-Technical) schooling. This proves to the potential employer that you have the mechanical aptitude that the job requires to be successful.

3. Ask Your Potential Employer About Certification

If you don’t have much or any experience in the repair field, commercial kitchen service still may be the right job for you. Many employers are eager to pay for training and certification in order to produce qualified technicians. If you have proven mechanical skills, a commercial kitchen repair company may be even more inclined to invest in your education. You can also pursue continuing education or certification on your own. One possibility is EPA certification. EPA certification is necessary for working with HVAC and refrigeration equipment. This is normally a day-long training with an assessment at the end. There are a variety of online courses available, including many offered by manufacturers. You can also look into training and certification offered by the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association. CFESA offers general education and equipment type training, such as refrigeration and ice machine training. CFESA also offers four areas of commercial equipment Electric, Gas, Steam, and Refrigeration. Being certified in three or more of these areas makes you a Master Certified Technician. However, you can begin work in this industry without being CFESA certified and pursue certification as a goal to complete later in your career.

4. Apply for the Position

If you see a position open up, apply! Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a position open immediately. Remember, many commercial kitchen repair businesses are open to bringing on additional technicians, even if they’re not advertising open positions. Better companies are always hiring. It never hurts to ask, so reach out to the hiring manager to ask about their hiring funnel. Provide a relevant resume or fill out an application. Even if the company may not have positions immediately, many repair businesses keep resumes on file in case of a position opening.

Find a Job That Showcases Your Skills and Experience

Our service techs are at the center of the work we do at ATECH. It's how our founder Mark LeBerte started all those years ago, and our success wouldn't be possible without the efforts of our skilled, hardworking employees. If you want to learn more about current openings at ATECH, complete our application form, and we’ll reach out to schedule an interview. Thank you for your interest!

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Spring into Cleanliness: Essential Tips for Restaurant Spring Cleaning

By markl • 20 Mar, 2024

As the season changes and springtime blooms, it's the perfect opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate your restaurant space. Spring cleaning isn't just about tidying up; it's about ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for your patrons and staff. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential tips and best practices for restaurant cleanliness in the springtime. Embrace Deep Cleaning : Spring cleaning is the ideal time to tackle those deep cleaning tasks that may have been neglected during the busier seasons. From scrubbing floors and walls to deep cleaning kitchen equipment, thorough sanitation ensures a hygienic environment for food preparation and service. Focus on High-Traffic Areas : Pay special attention to high-traffic areas such as dining areas, restrooms, and entryways. These areas are prone to accumulating dirt, dust, and germs, making regular cleaning essential for maintaining a pristine appearance and preventing the spread of illness. Refresh Outdoor Spaces : If your restaurant has outdoor seating areas, spring is the perfect time to freshen them up. Clean outdoor furniture, sweep away debris, and power wash outdoor surfaces to create an inviting atmosphere for al fresco dining. Check and Replace Equipment Filters : Don't forget to inspect and replace filters in HVAC systems, refrigeration units, and ventilation hoods. Clean filters help maintain air quality and prevent the buildup of contaminants, ensuring a healthy indoor environment for both customers and staff. Engage Staff in Cleaning Initiatives : Encourage staff members to take pride in the cleanliness of the restaurant by involving them in spring cleaning initiatives. Assign specific tasks and provide training on proper cleaning procedures to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Implement Regular Maintenance Schedule : Establish a regular maintenance schedule to keep up with cleaning tasks throughout the year. By incorporating daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routines, you can maintain a high standard of cleanliness and prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. Invest in Quality Cleaning Products : Choose cleaning products that are effective yet environmentally friendly. Look for products that are certified as safe for use in foodservice establishments and follow manufacturer recommendations for proper application and usage. Monitor and Adjust Cleaning Protocols : Continuously monitor cleaning protocols and adjust as needed based on feedback, customer traffic, and changing regulations. Regular evaluation ensures that your cleaning practices remain effective and in compliance with industry standards. Spring cleaning is an essential aspect of restaurant maintenance that goes beyond just aesthetics. By implementing thorough cleaning routines, engaging staff members, and investing in quality cleaning products, you can create a safe, hygienic environment that enhances the dining experience for your customers and promotes a healthy work environment for your staff. As you embark on your spring cleaning journey, remember that ATECH is here to support you with a wide range of cleaning and maintenance solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of your restaurant. Happy spring cleaning!

Mastering Winter with ATECH: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses

By markl • 26 Jan, 2024

As a restaurant owner or kitchen manager, you know that the equipment in your kitchen is essential to the operations and overall profitability of your business. But do your frontline employees recognize that, too? Your line chefs and dishwashers use your equipment every day, so they're more likely to notice any problems first. That's why it's so important to capture feedback from your frontline staff on the performance of your restaurant equipment. As a trusted commercial kitchen repair service in Tennessee , we’ve had the opportunity to partner with hundreds of restaurants over the years—from nationally recognized chains to local mom-and-pop establishments. We’ve learned that capturing staff feedback on restaurant equipment is not just a good practice—it's a necessity for any successful establishment. In this article, we wanted to shed light on the importance of capturing staff feedback on restaurant equipment. Your employees’ assessments can be used to address problems quickly and make informed decisions about upgrades or replacements. How to Capture Staff Feedback on Restaurant Equipment 1. Recognize and address common pitfalls for reporting issues. Unfortunately, many kitchen managers find that it's difficult to get regular feedback from their staff. There are a few common reasons for this: Lack of time. Frontline staff are often busy and stressed, and they may not have time to provide feedback to their managers. Fear of retaliation. Some employees may be afraid to speak up about problems with equipment for fear that they will be punished or blamed. Lack of trust. Employees may not feel comfortable providing feedback to their managers if they don't trust them to take it seriously. 2. Create a culture of collaborative communication in your kitchen. It's important to create an open and trusting environment where your staff feels comfortable providing feedback. Here are a few tips: Make feedback a priority. Show your staff that you value their feedback by making time to listen to it and taking it seriously. Make it easy to provide feedback. Create a system for staff to submit feedback easily. Let your employees know who is responsible for equipment maintenance so they can notify the appropriate person. Be open to feedback, both positive and negative. It's important to create a culture where staff feel comfortable providing feedback, even if it's negative. Remember, feedback is a gift, and it can help you to improve your operation. If you don’t embrace feedback from employees, they might be less likely to report a faulty piece of equipment. 3. Train new employees to recognize and communicate common issues. Once you've created an environment where staff feel comfortable providing feedback, you need to train employees to recognize common equipment issues . This will help you to identify problems early before they cause major disruptions.Here are a few tips for training your staff: Provide them with a list of common equipment issues. This could include things like strange noises, unusual odors, or reduced performance. Teach them how to inspect equipment for signs of wear and tear . Help them identify potential problems before they cause equipment to break down. Show them how to report equipment issues to you. This could be done through a verbal report, a written report, or a feedback form. 4. Know the important information to capture and have a plan for addressing issues. One of the best ways to ensure problems are addressed quickly and correctly is to capture the information your commercial kitchen technician would need to know . Once you've collected feedback from your staff, you can use it to make informed decisions about equipment upgrades or replacements. As you consider repairing or replacing your kitchen equipment , here are a few things to keep in mind: Identify recurring issues . If multiple staff members are reporting the same problem with a piece of equipment, it's a sign that there is a serious issue. Consider the cost and benefits of repairs. If a piece of equipment is constantly breaking down, it may be more cost-effective to replace it than to keep repairing it. Get feedback from your staff on their needs. When choosing new equipment, ask your staff for input on what features are important to them. This will help you to choose equipment that is both effective and user-friendly. A Trusted Partner to Fix Restaurant Equipment Issues At ATECH, we understand the value of staff feedback in maintaining restaurant equipment and fixing a problem as soon as possible. Our team has the experience and expertise to provide prompt, affordable repair services for all your commercial kitchen equipment . Our commitment to partnering with restaurants across Tennessee goes beyond just servicing equipment. We're here to support you in creating a kitchen that runs smoothly and efficiently through customizable planned maintenance programs. Connect with our team today to create a tailored service plan for your restaurant, franchise, or organization.