It doesn’t matter whether you run a pizzeria or a convenience store — the equipment you use to store food and beverages will have a direct impact on the customer experience, the quality of your food, and even whether you stay compliant with health code regulations.
Needless to say, choosing the right equipment could make or break your kitchen operations. You don’t want to leave this important investment to chance.
Because of this, food vendors in New York City turn to brands like Universal Coolers. While having a great reputation for consistently manufacturing quality products plays a key part of this decision, there is another factor that plays an important role: Universal Coolers, like Kitchen & Bath Authority, is based out of Brooklyn.
Even in a time when online retail is becoming increasingly dominant, the option to buy from a local supplier can make a big difference.
Why Shop Local?
There is no denying that online shopping has completely transformed the way most of us look for and purchase products. It can be incredibly convenient to place an order from the comfort of your own home, using online customer reviews to have confidence in your purchase — and these days, you can buy almost everything online.
But when it comes to commercial refrigeration equipment, checking an online review isn’t always enough. Private label online companies don’t always give you the option to come into a showroom, where you can touch and feel the units. Nor do all private label companies allow customers to post reviews to their website, which can leave you hard-pressed to determine whether a particular product actually delivers on its promises.
In a showroom (like you would encounter at Universal Coolers’ or Kitchen & Bath Authority’s Brooklyn warehouses), you have the opportunity to inspect the products you are interested in first-hand. There is something different about being able to open storage drawers and test out other elements for yourself that can give you a much better idea of whether a piece of equipment is the right fit for your facility. For many, this tangible experience is far more beneficial than an online review could ever be.
An in-person inspection also allows you to see just how big a commercial refrigeration product is, making it easier to imagine how it would fit into your kitchen or a customer-facing area.
Another area where Universal Coolers’ local status gives it a distinct advantage is shipping. While you can get free shipping from both local and online retailers, the level of service the shipping company is able to provide can vary.
After all, unloading large refrigeration units isn’t easy. Tasks like un-palleting a refrigerator, installing casters, and disposing of excess packing materials can be quite time-consuming. If you’re no equipment expert, attempting this work on your own could even lead to accidental damage of the unit you just spent thousands of dollars on.
When you shop from an online-exclusive retailer, you will likely need to hire an additional contractor to take care of installation work. On the other hand, equipment retailers with a local presence understand the importance of building a strong relationship with their customers. This extends to all aspects of the purchase, including shipping. Faster shipping with additional assistance during the installation process will make it that much easier to get your new equipment up and running.
With both a brick-and-mortar location in Brooklyn and an online retail presence through Kitchen & Bath Authority, Universal Coolers provides customers the best of both worlds — the convenience of online shopping, and the confidence that comes from buying local.
The Universal Coolers Difference
Of course, not all local brands are created equal. Many who find themselves in need of commercial kitchen equipment shop online simply because there aren’t any quality manufacturers or retailers in their area. For them, buying online is the only way to have confidence that they are getting a quality product.
Thankfully, this isn’t a problem with Universal Coolers. The brand has operated out of New York City since 1982, and is still run by its original owners — and there are several reasons why the brand has stood the test of time.
For one thing, Universal Coolers sources only the highest quality parts to ensure that each of its products exceeds expectations. Equipment is made from durable materials like aluminum and stainless steel, that are designed to stand up to the rigors of a commercial kitchen. Each Universal Coolers product is made in the United States, so you can have confidence that it will operate efficiently while minimizing potential maintenance and repair needs.
The Universal Coolers team also brings extensive experience with the restaurant and food service industries to their products and services. Their team uses their industry knowledge to help customers find the best products for their needs based on factors ranging from power usage to available space. If you’re not sure what you need, you can get valuable input from a knowledgable professional (similar options are available when you shop online through Kitchen & Bath Authority).
This expertise even allows Universal Coolers to produce custom commercial refrigeration equipment. This unique service element isn’t something you would find through an online private label brand. Skilled craftsmen utilize the latest design and manufacturing tech to ensure great outcomes for standard and custom equipment alike, whether you need a Pizza Prep Refrigerator or a Sandwich Prep Table.
Universal Coolers continues this dedication to customer satisfaction through the delivery process, offering a “white glove delivery” that includes unpacking, inspecting, and setting up the equipment in the desired location, as well as disposing of excess packing materials.
The brand’s dedication to producing high-quality commercial refrigeration equipment, paired with stellar service, has played a key role in establishing its partnership with Kitchen & Bath Authority. Here at Kitchen & Bath Authority, we only work with the most trusted and experienced brands in the country. After conducting thorough research, Universal Coolers’ amazing pedigree made them an easy choice as an addition to our commercial equipment line.
Universal Coolers Products
So what products does Universal Coolers have available? Here is a closer look at some of the products that you’ll see at restaurants, delis, and even convenience stores throughout New York City — and across the country. Ease of use is a key consideration for Universal Coolers products. The vast majority of these products don’t require any kind of plumbing hookup, allowing you to place the equipment wherever you think is best with minimal fuss. A wide variety of user-friendly design elements make it easy to care for your equipment and keep your kitchen operating at peak efficiency.
Pizza Prep Refrigerator: A pizza prep refrigerator is the perfect equipment solution for a fast-paced pizzeria. This horizontal unit features both a work table space and refrigerated storage compartments. The lower refrigerated compartments keep perishable pizza ingredients and dough pans at a safe temperature — Universal Coolers products can maintain temperatures ranging from 33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tabletop food bins with a hinged top add even more storage space, while the 20-inch wide marble table surface is ideally suited for kneading dough or cutting and assembling pizzas. The Universal Coolers SC-117-PPT 117 Inch Pizza Prep Refrigerator is designed for the largest and busiest of pizzerias, with an oversized compressor, a refrigerated rail that can hold four full-size pans, and added conveniences like an integrated door light. Smaller models are also available in widths ranging from 48 to 96 inches. All Universal Coolers Pizza Prep Refrigerators use 134A refrigerant and an easily-serviced compressor for reliable performance.
Sandwich Prep Table: Universal Coolers’ Sandwich Prep Tables are ideally suited for any sandwich shop. Even the smallest available unit — the Universal Coolers SC-48-BMI 47 Inch Mega Top Sandwich Prep Unit/Cooler comes with intuitive features like rounded corners and a removable magnetic door gasket for easy cleaning, a self-closing door that can stay open at 90 degrees, and automatic defrost. High-tech additions like an LED digital temperature display and error codes for diagnosing any maintenance issues help further modernize your kitchen. Better still, the temperature and defrost settings can be customized according to your preferences. Of course, you will also find the same sandwich prep essentials that you would expect from any other sandwich table. The lower refrigerated areas offer a climate controlled space for sandwich or salad ingredients that can hold up to 18 small pans or three large pans. An insulated storage area on top of the cabinet ensures easy access to prepped ingredients so you can speed up sandwich preparation. In addition, an 8-inch wide cutting board extends the entire length of the table to create an easy to use workstation.
Display Cases/Coolers: Universal Coolers offers a wide array of display cases and coolers that are ideally suited for convenience stores, delis, and more. For example, convenience store owners could select between an open display case such as the Universal Coolers OPC-10 120 Inch Remote Open Display Case/Cooler or the reach-in Universal Coolers ADM-3 78 Inch Three Swinging Glass Door Reach-in Remote Cooler/Freezer. Regardless of the size or style you need, Universal Coolers has plenty of options that can fit your space and the preferences of your customers. Vinyl and PVC-coated shelves, high-output fluorescent lighting, and a mix of stainless steel and aluminum exteriors and interiors ensures that these refrigeration units are easy to maintain and provide an attractive display case for food and drinks. The ability to hold temperatures between 33 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit keeps drinks and food products cool, ready for your customers to grab and go.
Deli Displays: Delis and bakeries have their own unique display needs, and Universal Coolers has these New York City staples covered with an array of custom-manufactured equipment. For example, the Universal Coolers BCI-48-SC 47.2 Inch Bakery Display Case utilizes heavy duty glass shelves and exteriors to create an attractive display for your baked goods. The addition of a self-closing sliding glass door and a “no stoop” lower shelf make it easy to provide prompt service after your customers make a selection. As with other Universal Coolers products, reliable refrigeration helps preserve baked goods. Deli owners can’t go wrong with products like the Universal Coolers FCI-82-SC 79 Inch Counter Height Deli Display Case/Cooler. Double pane glass helps this refrigerated cooler maintain temperatures between 32 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit. This specialty cooler also uses a gravity coil refrigeration system, specifically designed to create the high humidity environment needed to keep meats and cheeses fresh for your customers.
Ice Cream Freezers: With summer on the way, more and more New Yorkers will be looking to cool off with a scoop of ice cream or gelato. Universal Coolers produces several ice cream freezer displays to help your customers find their favorite flavor. For example, the Universal Coolers AGD-10 Slim Line 54-3/4 Inch Gelato Ice Cream Freezer With 10 Stainless Steel Containers features interior LED lighting and a front glass defogger so your ice cream is always presented in the best light possible. A wide selection of wood veneer styles (or a basic white aluminum front with black sides) allows you to coordinate your freezer with the rest of your shop’s decor to create an inviting atmosphere. Features such as adjustable legs, automatic defrost and condenser evaporation, and a programmable thermostat make these products easy to use and maintain.
Chef Bases: A quality refrigerator or freezer is essential in any restaurant. Universal Coolers has dining establishments of all types covered with an impressive variety of products. Chefs that are short on space could benefit from products like the Universal Coolers CBI-52 52 Inch Chef Base Refrigerator/Cooler. This chef base unit helps keep frequently-used items fresh when they need to be used for food prep, while the cabinet top can be used for other tasks, such as meal preparation of additional storage. The top is made from reinforced stainless steel and utilizes a raised “V” edge to prevent spills when working on the surface. Heavy-duty casters and a more compact design make chef bases ideally suited for catering, as they can more easily be taken on the go. This way, you don’t have to worry about whether the event location has adequate equipment for your food prep needs. The low height of a chef base also makes it easy to store under a table or counter, giving you a convenient refrigerated space for storing some of your most-used perishable ingredients.
Commercial Refrigerators & Freezers: Of course, larger standard commercial refrigerators and freezers are also available from Universal Coolers. For example, the Universal Coolers RIFI-81 81 Inch Reach-in Stainless Solid Door Refrigerator/Freezer provides an impressive 72 cubic feet of storage space. Designed with frozen food preservation in mind, this unit can maintain temperatures from -8 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and features self-closing doors to conserve power consumption and keep your kitchen running smoothly. Rounded corners, adjustable shelves, and an easy-access condenser coil allow for easy cleaning and maintenance. Adjustable temperature and defrost settings, customizable shelving configurations, and a “no stoop” bottom shelf will enable you to adapt the interior layout of these refrigerators and freezers in accordance with your own unique food storage needs.
Each of these products are available online through Kitchen & Bath Authority — and New York City residents can also check them out at local warehouses to get a first-hand experience with their quality and ease of use.
The Best of Both Worlds
Going into a local showroom to inspect commercial refrigeration equipment in person isn’t an option for everyone. But when it is, there is no denying that taking this extra step in the buying process can go a long way in helping you make the right selection for your business.
When you shop for Universal Coolers products from Kitchen & Bath Authority, you get the best of both worlds. Local customers in the New York City area have the ability to test out products in the showroom, but all customers can enjoy online pricing, free and fast shipping, and a dedicated support team that wants to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase. We even offer affordable monthly payment plans that make it easier for you to upgrade your kitchen! Whether you need a Pizza Prep Refrigerator or a Sandwich Prep Table, we have you covered.
When you buy from Kitchen & Bath Authority, you can also have confidence that you will be getting a quality product. We conduct extensive research prior to choosing brands to offer on our site, so you can have confidence that each brand has been thoroughly vetted based on the overall quality of its equipment. You don’t have to take our word for it, either. With online reviews, you can see what others are saying about Universal Coolers and the many other brands available on our site.
Make an investment for your business that will stand the test of time — and that will help you work more efficiently and deliver better service to your customers. Place your order today, and experience the Universal Coolers difference for yourself.
