For more than 100 years, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods has been a cornerstone of Waconia, Minnesota. What started as a local butcher shop has evolved into a full-service grocery store with three locations, celebrated for its scratch-made deli meals. But with a reputation for quality comes the need for the right deli equipment and supplies to keep up with high demand.
Growth brought both opportunity and challenge for the Mackenthun’s team. They needed a kitchen capable of serving more customers and evolving with seasonal menus without compromising on quality. For that, they turned to their long-time foodservice equipment supplier, PHT Systems.
The Challenge: Growing Without Compromise
Demand for fresh, made-to-order meals was on the rise. The kitchen staff needed deli equipment that performed, not just cooked. Mackenthun’s required a solution that could handle a diverse menu, improve workflow, and scale up production. Their existing equipment could not keep up, and Mackenthun’s needed new equipment designed for the speed and efficiency of a high-volume foodservice operation.
Why PHT Systems: A Partnership Approach
Mackenthun’s had worked with PHT Systems for years. They trusted them for breadings, seasonings, and supplies, in addition to commercial foodservice equipment. When it was time to upgrade their kitchen, they knew they could turn to PHT Systems.
PHT Systems’ approach was consultative, not transactional. They didn’t send a catalog of equipment for the Mackenthun’s team to choose on their own. Instead, they invited the Mackenthun’s team to their demonstration kitchen to test the equipment firsthand.
In the demo kitchen, the team could see precisely how Henny Penny’s state-of-the-art equipment would perform with their own recipes. They tested the Henny Penny Velocity Series open fryer, the versatile Henny Penny 320 Series open fryer with Auto Lift, and the powerful Henny Penny FlexFusion combi oven. Feeling the equipment in action gave them complete confidence. It was an opportunity to make a truly informed decision, grounded in real-world results.
The Implementation: Equipment and Training
Guidance from PHT Systems covered the entire process, from selecting and installing the new Henny Penny equipment to providing detailed, hands-on equipment training for both daytime and night shift crews. PHT Systems’ commitment continued after installation with follow-ups, re-training, and responsive service support, ensuring every staff member operated the new commercial deli equipment with confidence.
The Results: Efficiency, Quality, and Growth
The new kitchen delivered immediate results.
- Increased Capacity: The Henny Penny FlexFusion combi oven replaced a smaller unit, allowing for larger production runs.
- Ease of Use: User-friendly controls on the Velocity Series open fryer simplified operations and made training new staff easy.
- Consistent Quality: The advanced fryer filtration system on the Henny Penny 320 Series open fryer kept oil fresh, ensuring every batch of fried chicken met Mackenthun’s high standards.
- Scalable Operations: The new deli equipment allowed them to grow while preserving their scratch-made quality.
“Working with PHT Systems has helped us maintain the quality our customers expect,” shared Jessa Theis, co-owner of Mackenthun’s Fine Foods. “While Henny Penny machines are incredible, it is the hands-on training and knowledge that we have a true partner for equipment, service, and support that makes all the difference. PHT Systems helps us deliver on our promise to our customers without compromise.”
A Partner for the Future
With support from PHT Systems, Mackenthun’s upgraded its kitchen to handle growth. They did it without losing the tradition of scratch-made, fresh food — deli items, fresh baked goods, and homemade sausages, to name a few — that defines their business. PHT Systems created a long-term partnership alongside the equipment that would keep Mackenthun’s true to its brand and a step ahead of its competitors.
Ready to modernize your kitchen without compromising tradition? Contact PHT Systems to find the right solution for your operation.