Technology Enables Restaurants to Achieve More with Reduced Spatial Requirements
In the fast-paced world of fast-casual dining, consistency and efficiency are key. That's why Bango, a popular chain known for its cold food options like salads, grain bowls, and smoothies, turned to the RATIONAL iCombi Pro combi oven system. This state-of-the-art technology has revolutionized Bango's kitchens, streamlining operations and helping the chain expand its menu.
The iCombi Pro is an intelligent, multifunctional oven that adjusts steam, airflow, and heat in real time, without human intervention. It supports multiple cooking modes, including steam, convection, combi steam, and advanced modes like sous-vide, pasteurizing, smoking, low temperature cooking, and finishing. All these capabilities are housed within a single device, making it a space-saving and energy-efficient choice for kitchens like Bango's.
One of the key benefits of the iCombi Pro for Bango is its automation of cooking processes. This automation ensures consistent, high-quality results with minimal manual oversight, reducing labor and training requirements. The oven's multitasking capabilities also come in handy, allowing it to handle grilling, steaming, baking, batch prep, and finishing simultaneously. This means that the iCombi Pro can replace several kitchen appliances, freeing up valuable space and energy.
The iCombi Pro's self-cleaning systems, such as the iCareSystem AutoDose, are another game-changer. This feature allows the oven to clean itself with the insertion of cleaning cartridges and a touch of a button, and can be programmed and run remotely. This not only increases kitchen hygiene but also reduces downtime and labor.
RATIONAL's technology has been transformative to Bango's business, according to CEO Ryan Thorman. In 2019, Bango expanded its menu to include hot options such as paninis and cooked proteins like chicken, shrimp, and tofu. The iCombi Pro oven, available in various sizes from the countertop XS model used in every Bango location to the 6-foot tall 20-full model capable of producing hundreds of meals a day, played a significant role in this expansion.
Bango's kitchens are designed to be as streamlined as possible, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. Each location is limited to 1,200 square feet, with most kitchens being 100-300 square feet. The iCombi Pro oven, small enough to fit in these kitchens, can prepare different items simultaneously, even if they require different cooking methods. This is particularly important in Bango's environment where some ingredients are cooked to order, as it allows employees to prepare dishes without disrupting other operations.
Two separate items can be cooked at one time in the iCombi Pro oven, allowing for efficient cooking without flavor transfer. The oven can roast, steam, bake, pan fry, air fry, and even smoke, making it a versatile tool in Bango's daily operations.
In conclusion, the RATIONAL iCombi Pro technology is an intelligent, multifunctional combi oven system designed to optimize cooking efficiency, consistency, and cleanliness. It is especially well suited for fast-paced, volume-driven fast-casual restaurant environments like Bango. For more information and scheduling demos, visit RATIONAL's website.
The iCombi Pro oven's automation and multifunctional capabilities have enabled Bango to expand its menu beyond cold food options to include hot items like paninis and cooked proteins. Furthermore, the technology's efficiency in preparing multiple dishes simultaneously, even those requiring different cooking methods, aligns perfectly with Bango's lifestyle-focused, food-and-drink business that values efficiency and consistency.
