16 April 2008
Punch Taverns recommend Lincat Opus 700 heavy duty equipment
Punch Taverns plc, the country’s largest pub owner, which currently manages or leases over 8,400 pubs throughout the UK, now recommends Lincat’s Opus 700 range of heavy duty prime cooking equipment for use throughout its estate. The move follows an extensive programme of rigorous testing of the equipment in Punch Taverns’ development kitchen, followed by extensive trials in several of the group’s busiest pubs.
Alan Todd, Punch Taverns’ Catering Development Manager, explains:
“Our relationship with Lincat extends over several years, initially through our managed house business within Spirit Group. Having satisfied ourselves as to the quality and reliability of Lincat’s range, we had no hesitation in recommending the brand throughout our tenanted estate. Within Punch Taverns we have demanding catering requirements, calling for equipment which is robust, reliable and easy to use. We therefore decided to test various makes of equipment both in our development kitchen as well as in several of our pubs, selected for the demanding, high volume nature of their business. Due to our recent expansion and an even greater emphasis on catering following the smoking ban, it was important to have a catering equipment supplier who could cope with our growth and supply quality, robust equipment, able to withstand the demands of a busy commercial kitchen. Lincat ticked all these boxes with Opus 700. Our chefs concluded that the equipment is ‘well thought out in design and a robust, solid piece of kit’.”
He continued…
“Lincat’s modular production set up means that they are flexible and can respond quickly to changes in demand, and we have been impressed with after sales service. They were also prepared to act on our feedback, for example by developing a more powerful rise and fall grill which offers our chefs the versatility and responsiveness they needed in a busy kitchen. As a result we now have a strong relationship with Lincat and we are recommending their equipment with confidence to our tenants.”
Designed to cope with the demands of a busy professional kitchen, Opus 700 products are sturdily built and provide the power and flexibility needed to maximise available space when planning a new installation. The Opus 700 range offers a wide choice of appliances, in either gas, electric or dual fuel, all providing easy-to-clean qualities to help maintain high health standards in the kitchen.
Punch Taverns’ team of eight catering support people gives help and advice to tenants when requested. The advice is designed to help either new tenants, or those who are thinking of investing in order to increase their turnover and profitability. Due to its breadth and flexibility, Lincat’s product range is capable of meeting every tenant requirement from the establishment providing an extensive food offering to the pub providing a more limited menu, such as bar snacks.
Alan Todd concludes…
“Our aim is to work with our retailers to help them build better businesses. So we’re increasingly using the knowledge we’ve gained from our managed operation to help tenants looking for help to improve the profitability of their food offer. In addition to offering day to day advice, we can also help by identifying potential new opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency. Our partnership with Lincat supports these objectives.”
Lincat’s range of Opus 700 equipment comprises: bains marie, boiling tops, chargrills, chip scuttles, fryers, griddles, oven ranges, pasta boilers, salamander grills and worktops. Each piece of Opus 700 equipment benefits from a comprehensive two-year warranty and this is backed up by a nationwide network of service engineers. Lincat Ltd is part of the Lincat Group of companies. Sister companies IMC Ltd and Britannia Kitchen Ventilation Ltd operate in the commercial catering equipment sector. Lincat Group company Mercury Appliances Ltd designs and manufactures domestic cooking appliances.
Overall there are more than 450 products in the Lincat range including: fryers, griddles, grills, ovens and combi steamers as well as beverage equipment, hot cupboards, trolleys and food display merchandisers. Excellent customer service is provided through Lincat’s extensive national and international dealer network. Lincat Ltd is part of the Lincat Group of companies. Sister companies IMC Ltd and Britannia Kitchen Ventilation Ltd operate in the commercial catering equipment sector. Lincat Group company Mercury Appliances Ltd designs and manufactures domestic cooking appliances.
For further information please contact:
Nick McDonald
Marketing and Export Director
Lincat Limited
Tel: 01522-875500
Fax: 01522-875530
Email: nick.mcdonald@lincat.co.uk
Publication or editorial enquiries:
Julie Leydon
Press Officer for Lincat Limited
Tel: 01482-649343
Fax: 01482-646644
Email: julie@bluestormdesign.co.uk