When Bango, an up-and-coming fast-casual chain with eight locations in suburban New York and nine more in development, first opened in 2017, it only offered cold food items like salads, grain bowls, and smoothies. Two years later, though, its CEO and co-founder, Ryan Thorman, decided to expand and diversify the menu to satisfy more of his customers.
That meant adding hot options like paninis, as well as cooked proteins, such as chicken, shrimp, and tofu, to the salads and grain bowls. But Thorman also wanted to keep operations as simple and streamlined as possible.
None of Bango’s locations are larger than 1,200 square feet, while most of the kitchens are 100-300 square feet. Bango doesn’t use trained chefs or line cooks to prepare food. Instead, the chain relies on a system of prep and organization to prepare delicious meals quickly.
“We do everything within three steps, and some of the technology we use in the restaurants really helps us achieve that,” Thorman says.
One of the most valuable pieces of technology used by Bango is RATIONAL’s iCombi Pro oven.
The iCombi Pro is small enough to fit into the tiny footprint of Bango’s kitchens, but it’s far more versatile than its size would suggest. That is because it’s able to prepare different items simultaneously, even if they require different cooking methods.
The iCombi Pro can roast, steam, bake, pan fry, air fry, and even smoke. Two separate items can even be cooked at one time. This is important in an environment like Bango where some ingredients are cooked to order—employees can prepare these dishes without disrupting other operations that are already in progress—no flavor transfer either.
Running the iCombi Pro is as simple as pressing a few buttons on the screen. Thorman says his employees who have never cooked before can master the system in three days, while those who have experience cooking at home can learn it in just a single hour. The iCombi Pro’s iProductionManager makes sure the cooking methods are compatible and monitors each rack individually to ensure everything comes out right.
Adding to the overall efficiency of the iCombi Pro is RATIONAL’s iCareSystem AutoDose. Just insert the cleaning cartridges into slots at the bottom of the oven and, with a touch of a button, the oven can be programed to clean itself anytime. You don’t even have to be in the restaurant: AutoDose can be programmed and run remotely, and the oven will shut down afterward by itself.
The iCombi Pro is available in a variety of sizes ranging from the countertop XS—the model used in every Bango location—to the 6-foot tall 20-full, capable of producing hundreds of meals a day. Most models offer a choice of electric and gas, to suit the needs of any kitchen.
“RATIONAL's been transformative to our business,” says Thorman. “Getting in there every day and operating and seeing what they could do really is a game changer.”
To learn more and schedule a demo, visit the RATIONAL website.
This post is sponsored by RATIONAL