SilverChef

SilverChef: finance and equipment for hospitality

SilverChef presents itself as a company specialising exclusively in equipment finance for the hospitality sector. According to its own website, it has been operating globally for 40 years, has served almost 100,000 customers and has invested more than 2.6 billion dollars to help businesses in the industry. The company also identifies itself as a Certified B Corporation.

Rent-Try-Buy finance model

The core product is Rent-Try-Buy, a finance arrangement with low weekly payments and 12-month agreements that, according to the company, do not require long-term commitments and allow equipment to be changed or upgraded whenever the business needs it. The firm highlights that finance approval is completed in 5 minutes and that payments are 100% tax deductible.

In addition to Rent-Try-Buy, the range of finance solutions includes Lease-to-Keep, Buy Back, Custom Equipment Lease, Community-Equip and Change of business ownership. It also offers a calculator to estimate costs before deciding to purchase equipment.

New, certified used and third-party equipment

The company sells three categories of equipment. New equipment comes from trusted dealers nationwide and carries a manufacturer warranty backed by the supplier or dealer. Certified used equipment is mostly ex-rental, fully refurbished and comes with a three-month parts and labour warranty. The third category, Third Party Stock, covers runout, used, ex-demo and scratch-and-dent equipment, with a minimum three-month parts and labour warranty. In all three cases, delivery is estimated at between 1 and 8 business days.

The catalogue is organised by product type: beverage, coffee, cooking, dishwashers, food display, food preparation, stainless steel, laundry, refrigeration and restaurant furniture. It also allows searching by brand.

Customers it serves

SilverChef directs its services to bakeries, cafes, coffee roasters, not-for-profits, takeaway outlets, restaurants, microbreweries, franchises and bars, pubs and clubs. The company has a partner programme for dealers.

International presence

The company operates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada —where it uses the EconoLease brand— and the United States. On its website it acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands of Australia.

Current promotion on the website analysed

The website showed a seasonal promotion with up to 50% off certified used equipment, with the option of outright purchase or finance through Rent-Try-Buy with low weekly payments, subject to stock availability and terms and conditions.