If you run a restaurant, food truck, or bar, you know how important ice is to your menu and operations. You may be considering a commercial ice maker but feel wary of investing hundreds or even thousands of dollars into equipment when margins are so tight. Fortunately, these machines can pay for themselves fairly quickly if you choose one matched to your needs.
Read this guide to learn more about how commercial ice makers can be a worthy purchase, and what you factors to weigh so you don’t overspend.
Should You Buy Ice?
It may be tempting to simply buy pre-made ice to satisfy your requirements. It’s easy enough to do, and you won’t need to add bulky equipment to your space. Despite the apparent convenience and savings, bagged ice can get expensive pretty quickly, especially if it’s a recurring cost. You could spend thousands of dollars on bagged ice each year to support your beverage service.
Making ice ends up being a cheaper option. Yes, you’ll need to pay for the machine and routine maintenance. But you’ll still come out ahead versus buying fresh bags of ice each week. Plus, when your indoor and outdoor table tops are crowded with patrons, you’ll always have the ability to create more ice.
Crunch the Numbers
Even some simple math can show you that a commercial ice maker will pay for itself. If you’re using several buckets of ice each day to serve beverages or chill foods, you need to get an ice maker.
You can find quality underounter ice makers under $5,000, and you’ll only run through a few gallons of water each day to keep one running. From a maintenance standpoint, plan on changing filters and seeking routine maintenance service at least once per year. Being diligent about cleaning and servicing your machine can prolong its life and help you avoid expensive repairs. You’ll save thousands of dollars each year when you can avoid buying your ice from an outside vendor. Look at the options at Ice Machines Plus to find an ice maker that suits your space and budget.
Enjoy a Quick Payback
Restaurants and bars typically don’t have a lot of room in their budgets to tie up cash. Understanding how quickly you’ll recover the cost of an ice maker expense can help you discover the value in purchasing one. You don’t need to do intense accounting to see that the payback period is pretty quick.
You may recover costs in as little as a few months, though a year is a more realistic timeframe. If you use ice frequently, you’ll see a faster payback. If you purchase a larger machine, you’ll pay more for it, but it will produce more ice each day. Once you’ve hit the target number in savings, you can basically look at your ice as a free item for your business. This translates to critical savings and the convenience of having one less shopping trip to make or vendor to pay.
Consider Seasonal Factors
Do you run a restaurant that sees a peak in busines during the summer months? Maybe you open up a back patio to serve more patrons or add smoothies to your seasonal drink lineup. When your need for ice fluctuates depending on the season, it could take longer to recover your investment in a commercial ice maker. It may make more sense to lease a unit before committing to a purchase.
Further, you’ll want to be ready for ice machine challenges. During summer patio season, your machine could be working overtime. A mechanical problem might require a new part or involved repair. Or you might simply need to wait in line until a technician can come to diagnose the issue. In those instances, be ready with a backup ice option where you can order or pick up ice without much notice.
Look into Financing Options
You might be feeling some sticker shock when you look into commercial ice makers. Instead of paying for the equipment in one big payment, consider distributing your payments over several months. You may be able to find a payment plan that doesn’t strain your budget as much.
Additionally, you could find incentives if you choose a more energy-efficient ice maker. Look for utility rebates and other programs that reward you for investing in products that use less energy. You may even be able to use your ice maker as a tax deduction in some instances.
Buy a Commercial Ice Maker
Your business can’t afford to be low on ice when you’re making a cocktail or transporting food in a cooler. That’s why it’s worth investigating commercial ice makers. These handy pieces of equipment can help you run your operation more efficiently. And you’ll save money in the process. In fact, you’ll probably recover your payment costs within a year, if not sooner. Just plan on maintaining your machine and have a backup plan if you need ice and your machine requires a repair.
Look for a machine that aligns with your budget and production needs. You’ll be making a smart investment that will pay for itself quickly!
