For Chicago's restaurant and foodservice operators, buying foodservice equipment can be confusing and frustrating. Especially for first-time operators, the purchasing process is difficult because it involves many different entities that provide a range of functions. Simply put, it can be hard to know where to go for what.
We're going to try to make the purchasing process easier to understand. In this blog, we will explain how to buy foodservice and restaurant equipment, touching on the basics that will make startup or replacement easier.
What is a manufacturer's rep?
Let's start with the basics. Who is the Jay Mark Group, and what is our role in helping Chicago's foodservice operators find the right restaurant equipment solutions?
We are a manufacturer's rep, meaning we represent a suite of foodservice equipment solutions that we believe will meet the needs of our customers. Since 1990, the Jay Mark Group has continuously added some of the leading foodservice equipment brands in the industry. Today, we represent over 50 different brands in Illinois to cover almost any need.
What do we do? Let's start by talking about what we don't do. We don't sell foodservice equipment to restaurants, hotels, schools, corporate cafeterias, or anyone else for that matter. Our job is to educate our customers on finding the right solutions for their unique challenges between our large portfolio of brands. That means allowing operators to try out our equipment in our test kitchen. It means hosting events to raise awareness of the latest trends and technologies. And it means honest, straightforward consultation on what will help operators achieve their goals.
This is a summary, of course, but you get the idea.
Who decides what goes into our kitchen?
Ultimately, you, the customer, get to decide what type of equipment goes into your kitchen, but there are experts in our industry who can help with this process. They're called consultants and designers, and they're extremely well-versed in what type of equipment solutions are right for the situation and challenges you might have. These professionals will also assist with kitchen layouts because workflow efficiency is just as important as the equipment used. Do you need a consultant recommendation to fit your project? That is where we come in.
Who makes foodservice equipment?
This is an easy one. Foodservice equipment manufacturers make the equipment, but they're not necessarily the ones who will help educate you on their solutions. And they certainly won't sell it to you. Because we're a manufacturer's rep, we offer a synergistic effect across all our brands to get the answers local operators need. This helps our manufactures efficiently cover every market throughout the nation.
Where do we buy foodservice equipment?
Once you've determined what unit you want for your commercial kitchen, the final step is to purchase that equipment. Do you get it from the manufacturer? Nope. What about the manufacturer's rep? Not us, either. To buy your foodservice equipment, you must purchase through a foodservice equipment dealer that can help you through the transaction and the delivery process. Not sure what dealer to call? We can help make a connection to the right company that fits your business.
Does the manufacturer's rep do anything else after I've purchased my equipment?
We can't speak for anyone else, but the team at the Jay Mark Group is here to help you even after you've received delivery on the equipment you purchased. Ultimately, how you use your new units is what's important, and we can help by offering training opportunities to ensure your equipment performs as expected. If you need warranty service, we can even help streamline that process. Local post-sales support is the Jay Mark difference. That is why when you call our office, someone will always answer.
