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With the Restaurant Technologies automated oil management system installed in three of his franchise locations with more to follow, De Salvo has one less issue to worry about in his restaurants. The turnkey system streamlines the oil delivery, storage, handling, filtering and disposal processes, helping to ensure consistent food quality and making monthly oil costs more predictable.

The innovative closed-loop system includes two tanks installed near the fryer. One contains fresh oil to refresh or replace the oil when needed. The other tank holds used oil. Both tanks are connected by separate lines that extend to a secure fill-box mounted on the restaurant’s exterior. Software tracks and transmits oil usage data to Restaurant Technologies’ distribution system. Operators no longer need to worry about quantity of oil on-hand because Restaurant Technologies remotely tracks usage and automatically routes trucks to fill the fresh oil tank while simultaneously pumping out the waste oil and hauling it away for recycling into bio-diesel fuel.

Restaurant Technologies’ web-based Total Oil Management (TOMTM) portal provides De Salvo the tools to track when scheduled maintenance or filtration tasks are completed and alerts him if standard operating procedures are not followed. Restaurant managers can receive alerts via email or text message, providing immediate communication when oil handling protocols are not followed and food quality is being compromised. With accurate, real-time information, they can ensure that employees follow best practices for a more efficient and more profitable business. “Bar Louie is known for high quality food – that’s something we just won’t sacrifice,” said De Salvo.

“Restaurant Technologies takes the guesswork out of oil management and filtration processes, improving consistency and employee accountability which positively impacts our food quality.”

If employees fail to follow standard operating procedures, managers can address the issue to understand the circumstances, gauge whether the failure could have been prevented, and provide training for handling the issue in the future. Employee training has contributed to process improvements across all restaurants that use the RTI system. For business owners with franchises in several markets like De Salvo, the real-time web-based reporting tool is essential, allowing for easy access to data for all restaurant locations, from anywhere with internet access.

For De Salvo, consistently creating high quality food has always been the top priority. But the oil management system has delivered benefits beyond food quality assurance that contribute straight to the bottom line. As an additional and equally important benefit, the system created a safer workplace for employees. Since the Restaurant Technologies’ system installation, De Salvo has seen a 50 percent decrease in worker’s compensation claims due to slips and falls in the kitchen – a common problem caused by greasy oil spills.

“We just had a workman’s compensation review and it’s surprising how much difference an automated system can make,” said De Salvo.

“We want employees to feel safe at work, and this is an easy way we can make it safer.”

The new process also helps minimize some of the less popular tasks for employees. “We estimate that employees spend at least 15 fewer minutes on kitchen cleaning at the end of each day. This can get them home to their families faster, but it also saves us about $150 to $200 per week in labor costs at each location.” Finally, De Salvo participates in a cooking oil recycling program through Restaurant Technologies. This transforms used cooking oil into a “business asset,” by issuing oil credits to restaurants in the program.

De Salvo isn’t done adding to his Bar Louie locations and he’s already planning on automated oil management in each new restaurant.

“It’s just a done deal,” he said.

“When I open a new Bar Louie, the Restaurant Technologies’ oil management system will always be part of the planning. It’s that simple.”