Managing repairs and maintenance (R&M) in the restaurant industry can often feel like navigating a minefield. Daniel Estrada, Co-founder and CEO of 86 Repairs, knows this all too well. Through his latest venture into entrepreneurship he has a front row seat to the painful, broken processes that have long been in place for managing R&M. Restaurant operators continue to face major frustrations when something breaks down.
In a recent Q&A, Daniel shared more about co-founding 86 Repairs. As he participated in field research to determine the depth of the industry's need for a better R&M solution, he was surprised at how much room for improvement there was for an issue that—at some point—plagues every restaurant establishment.
Daniel’s field interviews revealed a pattern; operators of different sizes and dining styles face similar hurdles. Alongside his co-founder, Joe Gallagher, who brings invaluable experience from the food equipment sector, Daniel recognized a recurring theme during their conversations with industry peers: R&M was chaotic and time-consuming.
“Joe came to me one day, and we were just kicking around ideas,” Daniel says. “He said, ‘there’s something here. I don’t know what kind of business we can build, but there’s a problem here and a pain point that’s worth digging into.’”
After countless discussions with operators, it became clear that R&M was not just a headache—it was a significant barrier to running a successful restaurant. This realization led to the founding of 86 Repairs, the only end-to-end R&M solution that empowers restaurant operators to proactively increase margins.
One of the standout features of 86 Repairs is its emphasis on data. By centralizing R&M operations, the platform collects and analyzes valuable data, allowing operators to make informed, strategic decisions.
Daniel highlights this unique advantage: “Part of the value that we’ve always seen in 86 is because we’re putting ourselves in the center of the R&M process with our customers. We collect a tremendous amount of data that has a tremendous amount of value in the industry.”
This data-driven approach provides insights that go beyond mere repairs. It enables operators to assess the fairness of service quotes, determine when equipment should be replaced, and assist in capital planning. The benefits extend to forecasting costs and managing financial accruals more effectively, empowering operators to minimize expenses and focus on what truly matters—running their business.
Daniel encourages operators to take a closer look at their existing R&M processes, even if they seem to be functioning without issue. “Even if you think things are going well in R&M, there’s a lot of hidden cost and pain in this process that operators don’t always see,” he explains. By reassessing workflows and training staff more proactively, operators can uncover inefficiencies and significant cost savings.
In fact, following their field research with restaurant operators, Daniel and Joe mapped out a "typical" R&M process in sticky notes on the dining room table. The resulting pattern highlighted multiple places for improvement.
“There's a lot of money on the table when it comes to R&M inefficiencies,” Daniel asserts. The goal isn’t solely to sign up with 86 Repairs; rather, it’s about realizing the potential for optimization within their own operations.
Under Daniel’s leadership, 86 Repairs is revolutionizing how restaurants handle repairs and maintenance. The platform offers on-demand repair coordination, preventative maintenance, and round-the-clock support, helping operators gain control over their facilities.
The proof is in positive feedback from 86 customers.
"86 Repairs has helped us out a lot,” says Meeka Baxter, Director of Finance at Castellucci Hospitality Group. “I’m very grateful and appreciative because we really needed something like this."
By leveraging data-driven insights, 86 Repairs allows restaurants to minimize the time spent dealing with equipment issues, ultimately enabling them to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional service to their customers.
As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, the need for effective R&M management becomes increasingly critical. With 86 Repairs leading the way, operators can embrace a smarter, more streamlined approach that not only addresses their pain points but also empowers them to thrive in a competitive market.
In a world where every dollar counts, it’s time to reassess your R&M processes and unlock the hidden value that’s waiting to be discovered. Whether through partnership with 86 Repairs or simply by reevaluating existing workflows, the opportunities for improvement are boundless.