Restaurant Solutions Inc.

Russians Visit Restaurant Solutions

2006-06-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

Restaurant Solutions Inc.

A FRIENDLY FOREIGN EXCHANGE
June 7, 2006 8:36 AM EDT

Staff photo by Todd R. McQueen
Restaurant Solutions Inc. owner Rob Porter discusses products to the visiting Russian group.

Russians visit Marietta business for restaurant ideas
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 8:36 AM EDT
By Jon Gillooly

Marietta Daily Journal Staff WriterMARIETTA -

When 52-year-old Ivan Vasilyevich learned of a chance to fly to the U.S. and learn about its restaurant culture, he jumped at the opportunity. He lives in the Russian city of Bryansk, south of Moscow.Vasilyevich owns a wholesale food business that employs about 50, including his two sons, ages 22 and 24. He and 17 other Russians spent Tuesday at Marietta-based Restaurant Solutions, at the corner of Austell Road and South Cobb Drive.There, they examined the latest restaurant equipment, from deep fryers and blenders, to popcorn machines.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the program is called Special American Business Internship Training, or SABIT, Food Service Program. It kicked off in Washington, D.C., before heading south to metro Atlanta for a stop on the way to Las Vegas."What I really like is that the American government is making steps, very specific steps, to facilitate contacts between Russian and American businesses," Vasilyevich said.Restaurant Solutions General Manager Jim Wilmot said the group contacted him a few months ago, after finding his business on the Internet, and asked if the group could stop by for a tour.Owner Rob Porter said, "The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming,'" Wilmot recalled with a laugh.Wilmot said international sales are common for the Marietta company. It frequently sells kitchen equipment to such African nations as Nigeria.Wilmot led the group of Russians through the company's warehouse, pointing out how various machines work.Through a translator, the Russians peppered him with questions. The overall concern was how to maintain the equipment. Although it's more expensive to buy things in Europe due to the strong value of the Euro, at least vendors there provide contacts to handle maintenance.

Before he started his own business, Vasilyevich said he worked as an engineer for a defense manufacturer under the former Soviet Union."I had a very good job," he said. "I was reasonably well off in the Soviet Union, but I personally think that the country, as a whole, won more than it lost after the change."That's not to say all Russians favored the end of the Soviet Union."People viewed it very differently depending on their own attitude and culture and age because there were certain Communist Party people who worked for the party," he said. "They lost everything, and for many people it was tragic because their life was absolutely ruined. For me, it was an opportunity."But Vasilyevich said it is still much easier to do business in the United States."American life, on the whole, is better organized to start a business. You don't put in that much effort. It's natural business problems," he said. "But in our country, you know, sometimes the law is not well developed. People may not view a business positively, culturally. You know, we have more problems starting a business than Americans."When speaking about America, the subject of the Iraqi war often comes up in conversation, he said."I personally support the decision," he said, noting that he does not represent the majority of his people. "Someone should accept responsibility in this world, and it's not easy. It's really important to have a force in the world, a responsible force, and it was a very important decision on the part of the American Government."

Copyright © 2006 Marietta Daily Journal. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

FREE SHIP CHAIRS

2006-02-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

We are please to announce a new line of free ship quality commercial grade wood chairs and bar stools to our site.

Please see: http://www.restaurantsolutionsinc.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&item=WOODCHAIRINDEX.html

Thanks to many of our terrific customers.

Happy Holidays

2005-12-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

Restaurant Solutions wishes to convey a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and a special thanks to our customers.

Here is to your prosperity in the coming year.

We will re-open for business on 12-27

Price Increases

2005-12-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Note !

As of the first of the year, many of our suppliers are hitting us with price increases.

We, unfortunately, will have to pass these on to our customers.

Accordingly, if you are considering purchases, we suggest you buy before the end of the year.

Great News!

2005-12-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

We have hired additional help and as of the first of the year, we will have a live order on line "Used Equipment Page".

Shipping Costs

2005-11-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Regretfully we have had to nominally increase our shipping costs to help cover the fuel surcharges.

We held our rate and lost money on the freight for 60 days as promised.

Shipping Costs

2005-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

We had stated earlier that we would not change our freight costs for 60 days.

The first of November, this period is up and we'll have no choice, but to add an increase due to the fuel surcharges we are paying due to recent hurricane damage to refineries and increase in fuel costs.

We regret this action, but with our low margins, we have no choice.

Free Shipping Products

2005-10-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

Note that all Garland and U. S. Range products are free shipped anywhere in the contiguous United States!

Hurricane Damage

2005-10-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

For those stores, restaurants or bars damaged or destroyed by Katrina and Rita, we will offer rock bottom pricing on equipment and furniture to help you get back in business.

President
Restaurant Solutions, Inc.

Have you checked out our clothing and shoes shop?

2005-09-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Check out our fine selection at:

http://www.restaurantsolutionsinc.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&item=chefsclothingshop.htm

Thank you as always for your business,

- Restaurant Solutions Inc.

Easy Site Navigation

2005-09-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Having trouble finding what you want on our site?

Try the
Click to Search for Products!

Rising cost of fuel and transportation costs

2005-09-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Although the transportation costs are rising due to fuel price increases, we will hold our online freight calculation "as is" for 60 days and take the loss.

Katrina

2005-09-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Our hearts and prayers go out to those suffering from the devastation of Katrina.

We have many friends and customers on the Gulf Coast and are obviously concerned for their welfare.

Although we were hit by tremendous amounts of rain, wind and near misses by tornados, I'm happy to report we were fortunately spared damage and still open and in business.

Fall Special

2005-08-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Buy any three Turbo Air units and get free delivery!

New products:

2005-07-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Exhaust Vent hoods. Extremely low prices.

Click here to visit our new products:

http://www.restaurantsolutionsinc.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&item=EXHAUSTVENTHOODS.html

Manager's Specials

2005-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

For best prices, be sure to view the "Manager's Specials". Updates are coming soon.

Changes in Staff

2005-06-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

" For those of you used to dealing with Tina, our very capable smallwares manager, we have bad news. Health problems have forced her to quit.

She has been replaced by a bright young woman name Tiffany.
Tiffany can be reached at tiffany@restaurantsolutionsinc.com or 770-421-1999.

She'll be delighted to assist you."

Restaurant Solutions Inc.

2005-06-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Restaurant Solutions is an on-line restaurant supply store. It will now and always be our pleasure to serve you.
We feel we offer the best obtainable products for your money on the market!
Restaurant Solutions is a member of a 900 million dollar buying group that helps our customers get the best possible buying power.
All products at Restaurant Solutions have been tried and proven. With over 35 years equipment experience, we can help you with any problem, large or small.
We want your business! If ever Restaurant Solutions is wrong on a price, please contact us and let us know. With warehoused products all over the country, we can drop ship, as well as ship from the store to minimize delivered cost. The internet is a national resource and although our store may not be physically in your area, the bottom line is the cost of goods delivered compared to local prices. An internet search rarely produces local suppliers. That is what the yellow pages are for, but if you want to save money, shop with us.