Plan Now For Your Preventative Maintenance

Most times, when we hear the term, “preventative maintenance,” we tend to think of the regular oil changes and tire rotations in our cars that keep us safe and secure on the roadways. The concept and benefit are the same in restaurant and retail facility management. Regular and consistent maintenance of your equipment, property, and other valued assets keeps your employees and customers safe and your brand standard secure.

What is Preventative Maintenance?

In its formal definition, preventative (or planned) maintenance is any activity done at a facility when it is operating under normal business conditions. It is being proactive about your maintenance needs, as opposed to being reactive, which typically occurs during an emergency. Staying one or two steps ahead of the curve may help you avoid unexpected (and costly) breakdowns, jeopardizing your facility’s ability to deliver top-notch service to your customers.

Many facilities’ managers have developed a preventative maintenance strategy as part of their business operations. This forward-thinking approach enables them to avoid the fire drills of untimely emergencies. There is also the additional benefit of cost savings. Allocating budget dollars in annual operating budgets for a preventative maintenance program is likely to be more cost-effective than last-minute outlays of cash when an emergency strikes.

In essence, a solid preventative maintenance program ensures that a retail or restaurant facility manager is working smarter, not harder in keeping their facility running smoothly.

Preventative Maintenance Programs? Yes, We’ve Got That!

At Branded Group, we have a dedicated manager assigned to deliver our comprehensive preventative maintenance program for our retail and restaurant customers. The process begins with a thorough assessment (or survey) of your facility. During the site walk, the contractor examines every aspect of the location, including such things as HVAC systems, lighting and electrical, equipment, and even pest control and landscaping.

Once the assessment is completed, a detailed and customized program is developed that includes line items for each preventative maintenance activity along with the associated costs. This assists the facility manager in accurate budgeting as well as provides them with an inventory of assets that they may not otherwise have on hand.

In addition to inspecting your location’s assets, the contractor will also be documenting equipment and system details like brand names, models, and serial numbers. This information becomes part of a comprehensive asset management database that we maintain on behalf of our customers. Having this information on hand enables us to send skilled vendors onsite quickly.

It’s Always a Good Time to Prevent an Emergency

It may be tempting and logical to only fix things when they are broken, however, this can result in increased costs, both direct and indirect. Industry research tells us being in a continual reactive mode can cost a facility five to eight times more than having a preventative maintenance program and schedule. In addition to the immediate expense, there are also indirect costs such as lost productivity or an increase in overtime as staff waits on technicians to arrive for emergency calls.

As you prepare for your 2019 budget season, consider adding a line item for your facility’s preventative maintenance program. In addition to being one step ahead of an emergency, your customized program can:

• Ensure all of your facility assets are in working order,
• Extend the life of your equipment,
• Increase the productivity and efficiency of your facility and its staff, and
• Avoid potential fines or fees from regulatory agencies.

Branded Group stands ready to assist our retail and restaurant customers in the development of a customized and comprehensive preventative maintenance program that will ensure your facility’s business operations run smoothly and efficiently. Our purpose is to provide our customers with peace of mind and preserve their brand standards, every day.

If you would like to learn more about Branded Group’s Preventative Maintenance Program, please call us at 323-940-1444. At Branded Group we’re always ready to help you #BeBetter!