In restaurant equipment sales, the smartest moves create value on both sides of the transaction. And when you connect your customer with a better solution, you can strengthen the relationship and grow your margins at the same time. Hatco’s Chef LED Light Bulb gives you that opportunity. This highly efficient, durable bulb replacement for strip heaters, merchandisers, or anywhere else incandescent bulbs are used is a simple upsell that delivers higher profits for you and lower operating costs for your customers.
What Sets the Chef LED Apart
Today’s customers expect performance, efficiency, and long-term value from their food warmers and holding stations. If you're quoting Hatco Glo-Ray or Ultra-Glo equipment, recommending the Chef LED is a simple but impactful way to deliver all three.
The patented Chef LED is a long-lasting, high-performing bulb specifically engineered for demanding foodservice environments and available exclusively through Hatco. It features a heat-strengthened glass lens that protects the LED and an exterior made of rugged aluminum to prevent breakage. Unlike off-the-shelf LED bulbs that can flake and degrade quickly, Chef LEDs are specially designed to hold up to heat, humidity, and daily wear for consistent, dependable performance.
The Value of the Chef LED to Customers
Chef LEDs come at a higher upfront price than standard bulbs, but the long-term savings make them a wise investment. And because Chef LEDs screw into any standard E26 socket with no rewiring required, installing these upgrades in existing equipment is fast and frictionless.
The Chef LED supports your customer's goals by helping them:
- Lower utility bills through more energy-efficient lighting.
- Extend bulb life and reduce maintenance interruptions and replacements.
- Improve presentation with consistent, high-quality illumination and 184% more light output than a 40W incandescent bulb.
- Operate safely over steam tables and in other high-heat settings.
- Direct light exactly where it's needed with 320-degree rotation and 90-degree pivot.
The cost comparison speaks for itself:
- Wattage: 3.5 watts compared to 40 or 60 watts for incandescent bulbs.
- Annual energy cost: $1.79 for Chef LED versus $20.44 (40W) or $30.66 (60W), based on 3,650 hours per year at 14¢/kWh.
- Lifespan: 25,000 hours versus 1,500 for halogen or 2,000-3,000 for incandescent, with 167°F ambient air temperature.
These savings add up quickly, offsetting the higher upfront cost and delivering even greater value over time. They also eliminate the hassle of storing, replacing, and sourcing fragile incandescent bulbs, especially important in high-volume operations with long hours and multiple fixtures.
The Value of the Chef LED to Dealers
With the Chef LED, you’re offering a clear upgrade that delivers measurable value—one that’s easy to justify to any customer requiring reliable, long-lasting lighting for their hot food equipment. And it’s a win for you, too:
- Earn a higher margin per sale. The Chef LED is priced above traditional bulbs, giving you more revenue on each unit.
- Offer a longer-lasting solution. Fewer changeouts mean less product support and more satisfied customers.
- Differentiate yourself. While others fall back on standard bulbs, you can stand out by offering the advanced, modern alternative.
The Chef LED is compatible with a wide range of Hatco equipment, including Glo-Ray and Ultra-Glo warmers and heat strips, fry holding stations, buffet warmers, merchandisers, and carving stations.
How to Lead with the Chef LED
Chef LED bulbs may not be on their radar yet, but your customers will appreciate the results they deliver. Here’s how to make the case for the Chef LED:
- Use cost comparisons. Each Chef LED lasts over 12 times longer than a typical bulb and uses 91% less energy, reducing costs with every install.
- Use Hatco’s LED Cost Savings & Energy Analysis calculator to estimate your customer’s savings.
- Reframe the conversation. Position the Chef LED as the new standard, not an optional “extra.” Try leading with, “This is what most operators are switching to. It uses less energy, lasts longer, and avoids frequent replacements.”
- Tap into retrofit opportunities. Customers with existing Hatco equipment are ideal candidates. A quick bulb swap enhances performance and extends long-term value.
With these small shifts, you can make the Chef LED the easy, confident choice in any sale.
Shared Value, Smarter Sales
The Chef LED earns you higher margins and delivers real value to your customer. It’s not just selling a bulb. It’s offering a long-term solution that supports your bottom line and theirs.
Next time you're quoting lighted Glo-Ray or Ultra-Glo equipment, lead with the Chef LED. Because earning more while helping your customer spend less is exactly what smart selling is all about.
