86 Repairs—a platform that streamlines and optimizes equipment repair and maintenance for restaurants—has announced that it has closed a $2 million round of seed funding from multiple investors including TDF Ventures, HAVI, Gordon Food Service (GFS), GHS Holdings, Tamarind Hill, Invest Detroit Ventures, Network Ventures, and the Cleveland Avenue State Treasurer Urban Success Fund (CAST US).
The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s aggressive growth and product development.
“86 Repairs harnesses the power of technology to create a real and innovative solution for the restaurant industry. We’re impressed with 86’s ability to tackle R&M and other back-of-house pain points in a proactive way,” said Will Rayner, Principal, TDF Ventures. “We see big potential for this data-focused approach, especially as we enter a new phase for restaurants in a post-pandemic world.”
Founded by entrepreneurs Joe Gallagher and Daniel Estrada, 86 Repairs is a subscription service that manages the entire end-to-end repair process and provides actionable insights to improve back-of-house operations.
“Since its launch in 2018, 86 Repairs has partnered with 700+ restaurant locations, saving them an aggregate of $1,775,506 and counting through a streamlined, data-driven approach to service management, preventative maintenance, and on-demand equipment repairs. In 2020, 86 Repairs experienced 93 percent growth,” according to a statement made by the company.
“86 Repairs brings a visionary approach to this often overlooked, yet critical back-of-house aspect of the restaurant sector,” said Don Thompson, Founder of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, a privately-held venture capital firm that accelerates and strategically invests in innovative food, beverage, and restaurant concepts and emerging brands. “We see application and scalability across the industry and are extremely enthusiastic to invest in their concept, proactive solution, and pioneering technology.”
“Restaurants have faced immense challenges since the start of the pandemic. Keeping kitchens up and running is essential to bouncing back, but too often it’s an expensive and time-consuming headache,” said Estrada, CEO and co-founder, 86 Repairs. “Our secret sauce has been to create efficiencies, synthesize data and reduce costs. This infusion of capital will accelerate our innovation and insights so we can continue to best serve our customers and save them money—allowing them to focus on what matters most to them—their guests.”
“COVID-19 has presented unprecedented obstacles for restaurants, however 86 Repairs has been a constant asset for us in managing our kitchen operations,” said Al Hank, COO, Famous Dave’s (BBQ Holdings Inc.). “As the industry starts to stabilize, even more operators will seek 86 Repairs’ service and realize the value to operators and managing costs.”
The Chicago-based restaurant tech company previously raised $1.5 million in a round of pre-seed funding led by Tamarind Hill, with additional investments from MATH Ventures and Gordon Food Service (GFS).
Arya has been a part of the Content & Research Team at Hrnxt.com. She is a keen observer of economic developments, emerging businesses, people in business and keeps a tab on latest happenings in the business environment.