Kelsius temperature monitoring is a cut above the rest for management and staff at Rio Steakhouse

Rio Steakhouse is a premium steakhouse group with eight locations across the UK, offering an authentic Brazilian dining experience. Guests enjoy a unique rodizio-style service, with premium meats served by expert chefs. Across its venues, Rio delivers an immersive culinary journey, blending exceptional hospitality with the rich flavours of Brazil.

 

 

The Challenge 

Rio faced challenges in managing food safety and HACCP records across its eight locations. Ensuring compliance and maintaining up-to-date records was a complex task for head chefs, particularly ahead of EHO inspections.

Additionally, as the business expanded, rising costs highlighted the need to reduce food waste and improve control over kitchen operations.

 

Introducing FoodCheck2.0 from Kelsius

Recognising these challenges, the new Operations Director Rodrigo saw an opportunity to introduce the Kelsius digital HACCP system across the Rio estate. The benefits were significant:

  • 2 hours saved per day per property, on average saved by all food staff.
  • £1,000 per year per property estimated saved on wasted food.
  • 4 hours per week saved by management using automated reports.
  • Paper, ink and folders usage reduced to zero.
  • Food safety training time reduced by half.
  • 90% estimated reduction in mistakes due to human error.

 

A streamlined audit process

Commenting on using FoodCheck2.0 in Rio Steakhouse, Managing Director Rodrigo Grassi Duarte said, “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere that didn’t have the Kelsius system implemented. A big part is being able to streamline the audit process. We have been able to provide EHOs with full visibility of our records which gives them huge confidence in our processes.”

 

Barbara Alves, Executive Chef, Rio Steakhouse

“I wouldn’t want to work anywhere that didn’t have the Kelsius system implemented. A big part is being able to streamline the audit process. We have been able to provide EHOs with full visibility of our records which gives them huge confidence in our processes.

 

“Automated appliance monitoring is also so important to us. It saves our team roughly two hours a day, whilst also saving us £1,000 in stock alone in the last year from notifying our team of faulty appliances”

 

 

Nisa stores to save up to £10k a year with Kelsius food safety management tech

Nisa retailers stand to save thousands annually as the group progresses with a new technology trial in partnership with Kelsius. The cutting-edge food safety management system is currently being tested in selected stores. Kelsius undertook a three-month trial with independent retailer Gary Batten across his two Nisa stores in Cornwall. During the pilot, Batten saved up two hours of staff time per day at his store in St Stephens Cornwall, amounting to £10,000 a year.

His other Nisa store, based in Pentewan, Cornwall, allowed him to optimise up to one hour of colleague labour a day, saving £9,000 in annual costs. The innovative digital solution offers automated temperature monitoring and HACCP compliance tools via wireless sensors and probes. Retailers can access real-time data and generate reports that streamline audits and compliance processes, while digital checklists support consistent completion of daily hygiene and safety routines.

Danielle Guy, UK food retail sales manager for Kelsius, emphasised the value the system delivers, particularly amid the ongoing challenges in the retail sector. “With rising costs and persistent labour shortages, retailers are under more pressure than ever to find efficiency gains,” she said. “The Kelsius system empowers teams to ensure food safety is managed efficiently and consistently, without the burden of manual checks.”

Initial feedback from Nisa retailers suggests strong interest in rolling out the technology more widely following the trial phase, citing time savings, enhanced traceability, and reduced risk of human error.

In May 2018 Co-op Wholesale completed its acquisition of Nisa Retail Limited. Working with the Co-op, Nisa Partners still have the freedom to operate independently. They have the flexibility, insight, and tailored support they need to thrive, backed by Co-op’s industry-leading own-brand range, supply chain expertise, and buying power.

 

Read The Grocer article covering this story here.