What’s the new trend in Minibars these days? Outsourcing (Let the experts do it)
Many smaller to mid-sized hotels (200-400+ rooms) in several key markets across North America have discovered ways to increase incremental guestroom revenue and guest satisfaction scores by signing up for the new Minibar Outsource Program. Previously this program was only offered to large city hotels with more than 750 rooms, but recent “clustering” trends in several markets have opened up the door to the vast majority of full service hotels, regardless of room size.
These key markets across North America include New Orleans, Nashville, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. There have been over 24 new installations in these markets of the Outsource Program by Minibar Systems according to Walt Strasser, Executive Vice President of Minibar Systems. “We are very pleased of the success of the clustering approach to outsourcing where a manager can oversee 3 hotels in close proximity. It’s a great way to keep costs down and ensure higher payout to all the hotels”, says Strasser.
Under the Outsource Program, all details and costs are managed by Minibar Systems and not the hotel which include equipment, staff, maintenance, cost of goods and other direct costs. “It’s great for the hotel because ownership has literally zero investment, yet are guaranteed a payout of sales each month” says Strasser. Hotels love the program because it allows the “experts” to ensure the department is run efficiently and turns a profit.
This new trend in minibars is heating up in 2017 with dozens of new hotels joining the program in these key markets. Dale McCarty, General Manager of the Le Meridien New Orleans states: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Minibar Systems at a couple of hotels, the outsource program really works. Their dedicated team provides a level of service that we wouldn’t be able to, if we were doing it on our own.”
For more information on outsourcing in your city click here and be sure to visit us at HITEC in Toronto in booth # 135 June 27-29.
