Today’s operators are looking for more than equipment; they’re looking for answers. As they’re faced with tighter labor markets and rising overhead costs, operators need equipment that thinks ahead and simplifies complexity.
This is where intelligent combi ovens can make a significant impact for foodservice operators. The newest generation of smart combi ovens not only cook but also solve problems.
Creating consistency without complexity
For operators dealing with high turnover and lower-skilled labor, consistency can be a serious challenge to achieve. Combi ovens with AI-driven features such as optic cooking and digital food recognition automatically detect food type and placement then adjust cooking cycles for optimal results.
These intelligent features allow operators a hands-off consistency across shifts and locations, even when staff experience varies. “With AI assistance, we’re taking user error out of the equation,” said Daniel Wheeler, corporate chef at Unox. “We’re creating high quality results at the touch of a button.”
Pro tip: Unox’s OPTIC.Cooking technology uses a built-in camera and AI to recognize food types and portion size, while adaptive cooking algorithms automatically fine-tune cook cycles based on real-time and historical data. This can be a powerful solution for operations with fluctuating labor skill levels and high output.
Reimagining speed and volume
In busy foodservice kitchens, time is currency, but speed can’t come at the expense of quality. Hybrid ovens that incorporate microwaves into combi cooking can deliver the same results up to three times faster than standard methods.
“Combining microwave technology into a combi oven added another element to the way we can cook and sped up the process dramatically while keeping the same taste, texture and, aroma the customer is used to having,” said Gene Doerr, director of consultant services at Unox. “Everything customers expect, just three times faster.”
Combi/microwave ovens are game changers for operations that need to balance variety and throughput, such as:
- High-volume QSRs
- Compact ghost kitchens
- Cafeterias and non-commercial institutions
Pro tip: The Unox SPEED-X™ was the first combi oven to integrate microwave technology, setting the standard for hybrid cooking. With multi-tray loading, self-washing capabilities, and a programmable touchscreen, SPEED-X turns complex workflows into streamlined, scalable systems.
Solving the oversight gap with connected control
Operator visibility into what’s happening in the kitchen is critical. Whether an operator oversees multiple units or just one, they must be able to manage proactively instead of reactively.
“Kitchen leadership has additional stressors, like inventory ordering, training, development — all responsibilities only they can provide. Connected control means they’re able to be taken off the line as much as possible to execute their leadership roles well,” said chef Wheeler.
Data-driven cooking platforms and app-based controls transform commercial ovens into a connected asset. From any device, operators can:
- Upload and push recipes across locations
- Monitor cooking data and compliance in real time
- Receive alerts for maintenance or performance issues
With cloud-based control, operators can make informed decisions quickly — reducing downtime, improving food safety, and ensuring consistency no matter who’s in the kitchen.
Pro tip: Unox’s Data Driven Cooking (DDC) platform tracks data and connects operators directly with the brand’s corporate chefs. Staff can ask questions and get live support, right from the oven’s touchscreen.
Adapting to the new labor reality
Over the past decade, the kitchen workforce has shifted dramatically, from teams of 8-10 highly trained professionals to smaller groups of multi-tasking team members with varied experience. Operators need smarter, more intuitive equipment solutions.
Intelligent combi ovens meet this new reality head on, with features such as:
- Digital user ID systems to customize access and guide each team member
- Pre-programmed intelligent cooking cycles that reduce human error
- Automatic loading detection to activate the right cooking process to maximize consistency
These advanced features allow operators to provide great food with less hands-on oversight and leaner teams. “Technology in the kitchen isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity,” said chef Wheeler.
Pro tip: Unox’s CHEFTOP-X™ introduces voice control for truly hands-free operation — a helpful advantage in speed and multitasking.
A smarter, more intelligent future
While smart combi ovens represent a significant investment, they’re also a source of long-term ROI. When technology is implemented thoughtfully and intentionally, it helps operators decrease training demands, achieve faster prep times, and improve margins.
Guiding clients toward the right equipment requires understanding not just the features of smart equipment but also the operator challenges those features solve. With the right training and support, intelligent combi ovens become smart business tools.
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Equip your clients with combi ovens that solve today’s challenges – and tomorrow’s. Choose UNOX.
