Conceptual Model for Establishing a Service Company from Scratch

This paper presents a conceptual model for establishing a service company from the ground up, exemplified by the maintenance of refrigeration equipment. The relevance of this study is driven by the rapid expansion of global markets for commercial refrigeration equipment and associated service offerings, where maintenance costs have become a strategic tool for minimizing operational losses. The objective of this work is to develop a conceptual model for launching a service company dedicated to the maintenance of refrigeration equipment in the HoReCa segment, capable of ensuring the uninterrupted and energy-efficient operation of client installations, with minimal unplanned downtime and predictable expenditure. The novelty of the suggested model lies in the integration of digital dispatching, predicted IoT monitoring, and a more effective SLA setup into a single value-added subscription offer, as well as the creation of an operational plan based on small hubs, multi-use groups, and an RACI chart. For the very first time, a money value step has been tested, including checks of small ads and where costs equal benefits; also, a simple product start case with step-by-step growth based on 14 trade sources. The main findings demonstrate that by starting in the restaurant and hotel sector—characterized by high sensitivity to downtime and dense geographic clustering—it is possible to rapidly achieve investment payback and establish service operations through route optimization and agile parts replenishment. A product line structured from reactive repairs through preventive contracts and IoT monitoring to equipment modernization transforms the revenue model into a sustainable stream of recurring high-margin payments. A digital core with predictive analytics and stringent service-level agreements (SLAs) creates a self-learning system in which each service call drives continuous process improvement. This paper will be useful to startup leaders of service companies, field service managers, and researchers in service management.