April 14, 2025

How 86 Repairs Helped This Wendy’s Operator Bring Order to R&M

27 minutes

Mike Bathurst, VP of Barney Enterprises, oversees 14 Wendy’s, locations in Northwest Indiana. With rapid growth came operational challenges—especially in repairs and maintenance. After struggling with unreliable vendors and disjointed asset tracking, Mike turned to 86 Repairs. The platform helped centralize equipment data, streamline service requests, and refine vendor management across stores. By taking an iterative approach, Mike has built a smoother, more efficient R&M process—freeing up time and reducing downtime. His engineering background and systems thinking have shaped how the franchise embraces technology. For multi-unit operators, his story offers a practical blueprint for scaling smarter, not harder.

Interview Takeaways:

Repairs and Maintenance Are a Core Operational Priority – For multi-unit operators like Barney Enterprises, keeping equipment running—especially essentials like grills, fryers, and Frosty machines—is critical to serving customers consistently. Mike Bathurst emphasized that without a structured system, maintenance quickly becomes a drain on time and resources.

Iterative Thinking Leads to Smarter Solutions – Rather than expecting an overnight fix, Mike approached 86 Repairs with a mindset of continuous improvement. From onboarding new vendors to refining communication flows, his iterative approach helped fine-tune the system for smoother day-to-day operations across all locations.

A Strategic Mindset Can Redefine Restaurant Leadership – With a background in engineering and consulting, Mike brings a unique, systems-oriented perspective to the restaurant industry. His leadership shows how blending operational know-how with a tech-forward strategy can support growth and long-term sustainability.

Episode Links:

Mike Bathurst LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bathurst-3a571120/

Barney Enterprises Management Services: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barney-enterprises-management-services-inc./

Wendy’s Online: https://www.wendys.com/

86 Repairs Online: https://www.86repairs.com/

86 Repairs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/86repairs/

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