What should I look at in a smoothie bar’s blenders and cold storage?

Smoothie bars put heavy, repeated strain on their blenders. Ask how many are used on a typical day, how old they are and how often blades, jugs or motors have been replaced. Watch them under load and listen for strain. Ask the seller what a replacement costs and where it would come from, and whether a spare unit is kept.

Cold storage deserves the same care. Look at the freezers and refrigerators for frost build-up, worn door seals, noisy compressors and uneven temperatures. Ask for service invoices and see whether the shop keeps a temperature log. Your local health authority can tell you what it expects of cold storage, so ask it rather than relying on the seller.

Check the surroundings too. Heat from the compressors, drainage, space around the units and ventilation all affect how long they last. An HVAC technician can assess the ventilation if the room feels warm or damp. Read the lease with your lawyer to see who owns fixtures and who pays to repair or replace them. Ask what happened the last time a freezer or blender failed, and how quickly the shop recovered its menu and its stock.

Key takeaways

• Run the blenders under load and listen for strain.
• Look for frost, worn seals and uneven temperatures in cold storage.
• Ask for service records and any temperature log.
• Check ventilation around the compressors, and who owns each unit.