Customer Stories: Verifiable Savings

Milio’s Sandwiches

Increasing Equipment Reliability and Life Span

Milio’s Sandwiches

Increasing Equipment Reliability and Life Span

About

Milio's Sandwiches is a restaurant chain specializing in freshly baked sub sandwiches, wraps, and snack-wiches, founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1989.

Company size

100-250

Revenue

$25-$50m

Case Study

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The Challenge

For owner Brian Bergen, operating 13 Milio’s Sandwiches locations meant there were many chances for a freezer, walk-in cooler, or HVAC system to fail – often at the worst possible times. A single breakdown could create an uncomfortable environment for customers, spoil inventory, and halt sales until repairs were made. Finding reliable repair vendors on short notice was another hurdle, often resulting in lost time, revenue, and even customers. Each store also had its own unique heating and cooling quirks, adding complexity to maintaining a comfortable atmosphere and consistent food quality.

The Solution

Monaire implemented a comprehensive IoT monitoring and control solution to tackle Milio’s equipment challenges head-on. Seamless Installation for Real-Time Monitoring: Smart sensors were installed seamlessly on every critical piece of equipment across all 13 locations with zero disruption to the stores. Immediately, these sensors began streaming real-time temperature and performance data to Monaire’s cloud platform, giving management a live dashboard view of equipment health at each restaurant. Proactive real-time monitoring: Monaire’s artificial intelligence algorithms continuously analyzed all sensor data to catch inefficiencies or malfunctions early. The system monitored temperatures to ensure they stayed in optimal ranges, and more critically anticipated issues before they escalated. For example, Monaire detected a malfunctioning fan in one store’s walk-in cooler and automatically dispatched a technician to fix the problem before the staff noticed. This kind of proactive maintenance prevented costly downtime and emergency repairs. Data-driven HVAC adjustments: Monaire’s platform anticipated busy periods and adapted accordingly – adjusting cooling or heating ahead of lunchtime rushes to keep customers comfortable without wasting energy. Systematic, proactive repairs: Monaire identified and resolved problems before they they impacted the business, empowering Milio’s team to move from firefighting to focusing on customers. Routine maintenance was also auto-scheduled through Monaire’s network of certified providers, ensuring fixes were prompt and consistent across all locations.

Monaire is able to predict when we’re going to be busy and make it more comfortable for our customers while saving us money. They’ve really taken all of the HVAC work off our plate and do it in a much better, more consistent way.

Brian Bergen

CEO

The Results

Within the first month of using Monaire, Milio’s Sandwiches saw major improvements: Decreased energy usage: Milio’s Sandwiches saw a 12% reduction in electricity usage across all locations, which yielded a full return on investment in under one month. Lowered repair and maintenance costs: By catching issues early, the franchise avoided expensive emergency service calls and extended the lifespan of its freezers and HVAC units through preventative care. Zero refrigeration downtime: Since Monaire’s installation, walk-in coolers and freezers have stayed online at all times, preventing food spoilage and ensuring high-quality ingredients and sandwiches for customers. More consistent comfort in every store: Monaire’s proactive HVAC adjustments keep each restaurant at the ideal temperature, greatly reducing complaints from customers and staff about indoor climate. Monaire’s solution transformed facility management for Milio’s Sandwiches. The company can now trust that all its locations are running smoothly and efficiently, without constant manual oversight or fear of surprise breakdowns.

With the savings Monaire provides, the service basically pays for itself through reduced HVAC costs. And any time we cut electricity use, it’s good for our community and our planet.