Responsive and effective service, knowledge and appreciation of the QSR industry are key to the longstanding relationship between Tec Line and a leading Burger King Franchisee

In the early-1970s Mr. Leon Kennedy as a Wimpy franchisee was a trailblazer, introducing the NIECO Broiler to the UK. In 1989 the WIMPY brand rebranded as BURGER KING as did most of its franchisees, including Leon. The key ingredient of the BURGER KING model centred around a broiler which achieved the flame-grilled taste – making NIECO the ideal partner. Leon Kennedy Ltd now operates a BURGER KING franchise group with his sons Jason and Justin across Sussex and Hampshire. Having been a QSR lifelong loyal customer to NIECO, Leon was awarded the 2019 International Best in Class ‘Visionary of Flame-Broiling Technology’ award.

It was this move to bring the first NIECO Broiler into the UK which started a relationship between Leon Kennedy Ltd and Tec Line Ltd – a relationship that continues to thrive almost four decades later. On the relationship with the service and maintenance provider, Mr. Jason Kennedy, Company Director, states:

“When my father decided to use the NIECO Broiler at the WIMPY restaurant in the UK, Tec Line Ltd was the nominated service agent. As a business, we’ve contracted to work with Tec Line ever since for our service. From preventative maintenance contracts to reactive callouts on broilers and toasters, we put a significant amount of trust in the service that Tec Line Ltd provides, especially given the equipment plays such a crucial role in the smooth operation and overall success of our business.”

When it comes to something as important as quality service, BURGER KING franchisees need to be able to rely on a trusted partner to ensure the equipment is working properly or can be fixed as soon as possible with engineers and parts being available. It’s this level of trust and the consistent standards that have been achieved that have resulted in such an enduring, long-standing relationship according to Jason:

“First and foremost, Tec Line Ltd has always had a network of fantastic, knowledgeable engineers who have reacted to callouts in a timely fashion. Jason Krebs [Tec Line Director] is always available when needed and he’s in a great position to be able to get equipment procured or fixed or escalate issues to the manufacturer if required. Throughout all the recent challenges of Brexit or the Pandemic, we’ve always received a very high standard of service from Tec Line.”

It’s more than just service and maintenance though. Tec Line also supports the franchise with equipment purchasing, delivery, installation and commissioning for NIECO Broilers and Antunes Toasters.

“Commercial kitchen equipment such as our NIECO Broilers is expected to work under some of the most demanding use and operate continuously in what can only be described as challenging conditions –breakdowns and faults occur. Working with Tec Line, we’ve purchased a spare broiler which is on each site so it can be used where necessary to keep a kitchen operational and a site open. Tec Line works alongside us to preserve the equipment, based on an agreed preventative maintenance schedule that we have in place.”

Concluding, Jason comments on how impressed he’s been with the service from Tec Line:

“What impresses me to this day is how Jason and the Tec Line team will go above and beyond to support our business. I’ve lost count of the number of times that they have been able to bail us out when we’ve needed it most. From spare parts to last-minute and out-of-hours calls, the team has consistently excelled. I would have no hesitation at all in recommending Tec Line to other BURGER KING franchisees in maintaining their NEICO broilers when they looking for quality, consistent service and maintenance support for their business.”