distraught chef dealing with restaurant walk-in failure

What to Do When Restaurant Walk-In Failure Happens

distraught chef dealing with restaurant walk-in failureWhat to Do When Restaurant Walk-In Failure Happens

A restaurant walk-in failure can throw your entire kitchen into chaos. Whether it’s a slow temperature rise or a total shutdown, it puts your inventory, food safety, and revenue at risk. If you’re a restaurant owner or manager, having a game plan for this kind of failure can be the difference between a minor hiccup and a major loss.

Here’s what to do when a restaurant walk-in failure happens—and how Cool Movin Trailers can help.

Step 1: Confirm the Failure

Start by checking:

  • Power Supply: Ensure the walk-in is still receiving power.
  • Breaker or Fuse: Reset if necessary.
  • Thermostat Settings: Double-check that the temperature controls haven’t been accidentally changed.
  • Door Seals: Make sure the door is fully closed and the seals are intact.

If these quick checks don’t solve the problem, it’s time to move fast.

Step 2: Call Your Repair Technician

Get a qualified technician on-site as soon as possible. But keep in mind—repair services aren’t always available immediately, especially after hours or on weekends.

Step 3: Protect Your Inventory

This is where timing really matters. The USDA recommends discarding perishable food if it has been above 40°F for more than two hours. That means you have a very short window to act.

Don’t risk thousands in lost food.

Cool Movin Trailers provides mobile refrigerated trailers that can be delivered quickly to your location. Our units plug into a standard 110 outlet or generator and provide immediate, reliable cold storage for your perishable goods.

Step 4: Maintain Business Continuity

With a refrigerated trailer on-site, you can continue to operate while your walk-in is repaired. Your kitchen team can access ingredients as needed, and your customers won’t even notice there was a problem.

Be Ready Before It Happens

You don’t need to wait for a failure to take action. Build a backup plan now so you’re not scrambling later. Add Cool Movin Trailers to your emergency contact list, and know that your food, service, and reputation are protected.

When a restaurant walk-in failure happens, we help you stay cool and stay open.

Call 386-453-8484 to set up a standby plan or request immediate delivery.

Contact us here for more information.

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