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Businesses featuring salad bars suffered a downturn during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With little more than a sneeze guard for protection, many consumers abandoned the concept altogether. Additionally, labour shortages contributed to the downfall of salad bars, given that they are traditionally labour intensive, with some buffet-style bars requiring up to 60 hours a week of maintenance and stocking. As the pandemic wanes, customer demand for convenient, fresh and healthy meal options is resurfacing. The challenge that remains is the ongoing labour shortages.
To address these concerns and meet the need for safer salad bars, operators must embrace a new and innovative way of providing a salad bar for their customers. The SerVue Touchless Refrigerated Bar from Vollrath—awarded the Kitchen Innovation Award at the 2023 National Restaurant Association Show—replaces traditional open-air designs. The model features touchless dispensing, accurate portion control, and enhanced food safety that salad bars need to survive in the labour-challenged, post-pandemic world.
Designed for superior quality and convenience
The SerVue’s thoughtful design addresses common challenges kitchen operators and customers face, making it a perfect solution for a wide range of kitchen types, including universities, colleges, hospitals, cafeterias, restaurants, and more.
- The closed containers minimize food spoilage, waste, and messes associated with open-air models.
- The self-service touchless operation allows customers to place their bowls under the ingredient bin of choice, and the dispenser automatically delivers a programmable amount of food.
- The SerVue is easy to use for customers, and its novelty provides a bit of spectacle to the dining experience.
- The low maintenance system means you can drastically scale back the time staff spends stocking and maintaining the salad bar system.
- The SerVue Chamber is refrigerated, which keeps food fresh longer and protects ingredients from germs.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know about Steam Table Pans & Food Pans
How will this salad bar slide-in benefit you?
The Vollrath SerVue Slide-in addresses common pitfalls of traditional salad bars in several innovative ways.
Eat with your eyes.
The transparent polycarbonate ingredient bins are lit with LED lights to display your salad components attractively while maintaining maximum food safety. Ample space on the surface of the unit is available for labels and branding.
Customize your perfect system.
The SerVue dispensers can be adjusted by size (small, medium, or large portions) and timing (i.e., how long the dispenser operates when the sensor triggers). Take control of costs by fine-tuning your touchless system while still giving diners control over the ingredients they enjoy.
Save on utensils.
Touchless means that you don’t need tongs, spoons, and other serving pieces and eliminates the need for cleaning them.
Minimize time spent on tear down.
Because it’s refrigerated, restaurants can fill ingredient bins at the beginning of the day as well as store ingredients in the SerVue overnight.
Also read: 6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Dishwasher
Other innovative features
- Vertical canisters come in two sizes—8.9 litres or 9.4 quarts (306 oz) and 4.3 litres or 4.5 quarts (172 oz)—corresponding to full-size and half-size steam table prep pans, respectively.
- Each model has eight interchangeable canisters, with more units available for individual purchase.
- Two sensors allow customers to dispense multiple products at once, allowing faster progress through lines during meal rushes.
- A touchscreen control panel is hidden inside the door for easy operator use.
- No drain is necessary with a condensate evaporator that alleviates excess moisture.
- The SerVue frame is constructed from durable, food-safe stainless steel.
- Powered by a 120-volt plug, the SerVue doesn’t require a specialized power source or wiring which provides the opportunity for a moveable unit.
- Interchangeable and flexible paddle wheels gently dispense ingredients without jamming or crushing ingredients. Available in multiple sizes to accommodate different ingredients.
Why Vollrath?
Vollrath is an industry-leading foodservice equipment company with a global footprint. For nearly 150 years, Vollrath has provided award-winning serving systems, small wares, and culinary components.
Talk to your local RH Rep or contact Customer Service to learn more about the SerVue Touchless Refrigerated Slide-In and Vollrath’s other offerings that can help you perfect your salad bar.