The Problem
In 2008, food service operations in the U.S. alone reported losing over 500 million dollars in flatware and ramekins. Other estimates put the figure at over $1 billion. Despite the significant monthly hit to the profits of virtually all casual and fine dining establishments, products currently on the market are only marginally effective, at best. FlatwareSaver, LLC was created to design, produce, and market a device that solves this problem, once and for all.
The Solution
A restaurant manager who was frustrated with the continual expense of replacing silverware had had enough. After years of trying the leading products made to stem these losses, he felt there had to be a better way. He dedicated his free time to come up with that better way. He knew it had to be quick and easy for the employees without slowing down restaurant operations. And it had to be effective. In addition to normal stainless steel flatware, it should also save the upscale flatware such as silver, 18/10 and 18/8, as well as ramekins of every material. His dedication paid off and, the initial design was developed. At that point, he collaborated with an engineer who helped refine the design, specify materials, and conduct time-and-motion tests in several local restaurants using a working prototype. Finding a manufacturer partner proved to be a challenge, until FlatwareSaver connected with the engineering team at Minelab.
The Partnership
Minelab®, the global leader in metal detection formed a partnership with FlatwareSaver® to introduce an improved solution the SilverSaver which easily identifies flatware and ramekins before they enter the trash using audio and visual alerts from Minelab’s world class technology.
The flatware detector will provide restaurants with a product aimed to identify flatware and ramekins of any material before they’re thrown away. Unlike other solutions, the SilverSaver® 1000 rescues all flatware — including stainless steel and silver. And most importantly, it saves users money! Built to last and designed for harsh kitchen environments, the SilverSaver® 1000 fits standard 32- and 44-gallon round trash cans so users can find utensils with ease.
The partnership between Minelab® and FlatwareSaver® provides a solution that has plagued the restaurant industry for years: keeping utensils out of the trash and limiting the amount of time and money restaurants waste on replenishing products.
