Opening a restaurant is an exciting venture filled with passion, creativity, and the dream of serving unforgettable meals. However, new restaurant owners often encounter unexpected challenges that can threaten their success. Among the many operational considerations, proper waste management—particularly the disposal of used cooking oil—is often overlooked.
Did you know that used cooking oil has become a valuable commodity, leading to an increase in theft from restaurant collection tanks? Restaurants without a secure oil disposal system risk losing money, facing fines, and even encountering legal issues if stolen oil is improperly disposed of.
At Mopac, we help restaurant owners establish a secure, efficient, and profitable system for collecting and recycling used cooking oil. Below, we highlight common pitfalls new restaurant owners face—and how our services help avoid them.
Underestimating the Importance of Waste Management
Many new restaurant owners focus heavily on kitchen equipment, food sourcing, and staffing but fail to plan for proper waste disposal. Without a structured plan, used cooking oil can become a liability, leading to clogged drains, environmental violations, and costly plumbing repairs.
How Mopac Helps: Mopac provides reliable and routine used cooking oil collection that ensures your restaurant stays compliant with local regulations. Our set-it-and-forget-it approach means you never have to worry about missed pickups or overflow issues.
Choosing the Wrong Collection Tank Size
Selecting an oil collection tank that does not align with your actual oil usage can result in inefficiencies. A too-small tank may require frequent servicing, leading to extra costs. A too-large tank takes up unnecessary space.
How Mopac Helps: We help determine the right collection tank size based on your restaurant’s oil usage. Whether you’re a high-volume fryer or a lower-usage kitchen, we provide containers that fit your needs, ensuring smooth operations.
Not Protecting Your Oil from Theft
Used cooking oil is no longer just a waste product—it’s a valuable resource used in biodiesel production, making it a target for theft. Criminals often siphon oil from unsecured collection tanks and sell it on the black market, depriving restaurants of rightful rebates and causing property damage in the process.
How Mopac Helps:
- We provide secure collection tanks that help prevent unauthorized access.
- Our routine collection schedule ensures your oil is removed regularly, reducing the risk of theft.
- We offer transparent rebates, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your used cooking oil.
Pro Tip: If your restaurant has experienced oil theft, report it to authorities and work with a trusted collection partner like Mopac to implement security measures such as video monitoring, locked containers and strategically placed tanks.
Not Understanding the Value of Used Cooking Oil
Some restaurant owners are unaware that used cooking oil can generate revenue. Prices fluctuate based on market conditions, and a reputable collection partner ensures you get a fair return on your recycled oil.
How Mopac Helps: We provide transparent rebates so you know exactly what your used oil is worth. Unlike some competitors who offer unclear pricing, Mopac ensures fair compensation and honest service.
Failing to Plan for Used Tallow Collection
If your restaurant also works with animal fats or tallow, you need a trusted and knowledgeable recycling partner. Some rendering companies handle only used cooking oil, leaving restaurants struggling to find a separate solution for tallow disposal.
How Mopac Helps: We collect and recycle both used cooking oil and tallow, making waste disposal easier for restaurants that use multiple types of fats.
Partnering with an Unreliable Collection Company
Some restaurant owners choose an oil collection service based solely on price, only to experience missed pickups, hidden fees, and lack of transparency. Poor service can lead to overflowing tanks, operational headaches, and even health code violations.
How Mopac Helps: With a heritage dating back to 1906, Mopac is known for dependability, transparency, and top-tier customer service. We offer scheduled pickups tailored to your needs and prioritize customer satisfaction. Our reputation is built on trust and reliability—we do what we say, and we say what we do.
Final Thoughts: Secure Your Restaurant’s Success from Day One
Opening a restaurant comes with many challenges, but waste oil management doesn’t have to be one of them. By avoiding these common pitfalls and partnering with a reliable collection provider like Mopac, you can focus on growing your business while ensuring compliance, sustainability, and financial returns.
Whether you need used cooking oil collection, tallow recycling, or guidance on securing your oil from theft, Mopac has you covered. Contact us today to learn how we can support your restaurant’s success!
