CASE STUDY Levy Restaurants
With Coldtainer portable refrigerated units we are able to assure the integrity of the cooked food and fresh ingredients we transport and use at an off-site catering operation. We could purchase food from outside vendors or invest in a refrigerated truck but Coldtainers give us better control over schedules at a lower cost. The units made more sense because they’re perfect for what we do, and they give us the peace of mind that we’re providing the highest quality service.
Steven Maak, Executive Chef , Levy Sports and Entertainment
Levy Sports and Entertainment, a leader in entertainment and convention center hospitality, provides all food and beverage services at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The sports and entertainment complex hosts approximately 100 events a year and is home to the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues. Founded in 1978, Levy operations can be found at sports and entertainment facilities and convention centers.
Challenge
To prepare and serve high quality food at an off-site practice facility for the St. Louis Blues, Levy required a solution that provided temperature control capabilities in transit and at the location’s satellite kitchen. The team practice facility is approximately 25 miles from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The off-site catering operation takes place during team practices coinciding with its 41 home games each regular season.
Solution
Beginning with the 2018-2019 NHL season, Levy began using Coldtainer portable refrigerated containers to transport fresh ingredients and prepared food from its main kitchen at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis about 25 miles to the St. Louis Blues practice facility. Installed in a company-owned van, each of the two 720 NDN units has a 190-gallon (25 cu ft) capacity and is capable of providing precise temperature control and freeze protection down to 32°F.
Coldtainers, a highly versatile solution for the transportation of perishable goods, are available in front opening or top loading models in a range of capacities and with numerous cooling, freezing and heating options, Coldtainers can use battery, shore and solar power sources on vehicles and at facilities to operate on AC or DC power.
Equipped with refrigeration units designed to withstand vibrations related to vehicle use, Coldtainer stand-alone containers are made from highly durable molded polyethylene and food-grade materials, are easy to clean and are in compliance with health and safety standards.
All Coldtainer temperature controlled models feature an integrated battery monitor and a user-friendly digital display to view temperature and status, and for precise temperature set point control. The portable cooling containers also record temperatures and have a mobile Bluetooth option for downloading data to meet recordkeeping requirements.
Results
With Coldtainer portable refrigerated containers, Levy has the assurance that the cooked food and fresh ingredients it transports to an off-site practice facility for the St. Louis Blues is maintained at the highest quality and is delivered on schedule.
For the new catering program, Coldtainers provide Levy with a less expensive alternative to a refrigerated truck, estimated at a savings of $10,000.
