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QSR brands have new kitchen leasing option

June 28, 2018

Restaurateurs have a new way to access kitchen equipment. Welbilt, a global provider of commercial foodservice equipment, has launched a leasing program to provide all of the hot, cold and beverage equipment needed to run a professional kitchen. The program is available to customers in the United States, Hubertus Muehlhaeuser, Welbilt president and CEO, said in a company press release.

"We are excited to be the first company to offer commercial kitchen leasing solutions that will allow our customers to effectively ‘pay as you go’, rather than to pay entirely up front, for their professional kitchen," he said. "This is another important step to further tailor our services to our customers’ needs and underlines our commitment to revolutionize the foodservice industry with fresh concepts." 

Marlin Finance will act as the lessor of the program, which will help startup restaurants, fast-growing chains and independents, Welbilt said, in the following ways:

• The upfront costs for setting up a professional kitchen will be lower, and the cash-flow savings can be invested in other important areas of the new or established restaurant business. 
• Operators can shift their attention from the kitchen equipment to their customers, leaving them with more time to focus on customer experience, food quality and culinary creativity. 

Leasing allows them to change products, implement new technologies, create better efficiencies, get new warranties, update kitchen layouts, and even develop new menu concepts with little to no extra costs.

"Leasing an entire kitchen provides restaurant owners with a high level of flexibility, lower risk of full ownership, an uptime guarantee and better cash flow," Muehlhaeuser said. "Our customers can buy the equipment at the expiration of the lease or get brand new models with new warranties and new advanced technology features. In addition, operators can exchange one brand for an entirely new brand with little to no cost. This flexibility allows restaurants to constantly evolve their menu concept, improve their kitchen design, and to introduce innovations in cooking solutions."  

Welbilt will partner with dealers to help operators design the kitchen they wish to lease. Should an operator prefer to lease certain appliances, but not a full kitchen system, Welbilt also offers to bundle equipment, Muehlhaeuser said.