Cory Yates knows what it takes to keep a restaurant running—and it’s not just about fixing broken equipment. It’s about showing up fast, doing the job right, and making life easier for chefs and owners who are already doing everything they can to stay afloat.
As Managing Partner at Alpha & Omega Restaurant Equipment & Repair, Yates leads a team of expert technicians across Phoenix who are on call 24/7. They’re problem-solvers. Fire-putter-outers. The people you hope you don’t need—but are grateful for when you do.
“I’m not the one fixing the fryer,” Yates says. “But I’ve hired some of the smartest people in the business who do. My job is to make sure our team can move fast, communicate clearly, and deliver service that builds trust.”
The Power Of Communication
That trust is everything to Yates. He’s been in the hospitality world since the ’90s—long enough to know how demanding, stressful, and underappreciated the work can be. After founding and selling multiple businesses, he started Alpha & Omega with one goal: to be the repair partner restaurant operators could rely on when it mattered most.
That mission clicked. Within 90 days of launching, Alpha & Omega had over 100 active clients.
Still, even with a sharp team and a strong foundation, communication can make or break a repair call.
86 Repairs
That’s where 86 Repairs comes in.
“We’re good at what we do,” Yates says. “But 86 Repairs makes us better.”
He first started working with 86 Repairs through a shared client. At the time, it seemed like a helpful service platform. But it quickly became something more—a true operational advantage.
“They’re the lubricant in a process that’s normally clunky,” Yates explains. “They smooth out every step—communication, coordination, even prep before the call. That saves time, and time is everything in this business.”
Before his techs arrive on-site, they already know what the issue is, what parts might be needed, and who to talk to. That preloaded context, Yates says, changes the game.
“We charge by the hour. If we’re wandering around trying to figure out what’s broken or who’s in charge, that’s wasted money—for us and the client. With 86 Repairs, we roll up ready to work.”
The efficiency isn’t just about the field team. Yates says other facility management platforms often create double work for his admin staff. In contrast, 86 Repairs makes things easier—on both ends.
“We’ve fired clients before because they refused to switch from other systems that were just a nightmare to use,” he says. “With 86, it’s frictionless. They help us do our job better, and they help restaurant owners get back to doing what they do best.”
That mutual respect is a big part of why the relationship works.
“They get both sides—vendor and operator,” Yates says. “They know what it takes to run a restaurant, and they know what it takes to support one. That’s rare.”
And while 86 doesn’t charge Alpha & Omega to be part of their trusted network, the benefits are clear.
“They’re not just sending us work—they’re making sure we’re set up to succeed when we get there. That makes us look good. It makes our clients happy. It’s a win all around.”
The People Make A Difference
Yates is quick to point out that Alpha & Omega’s growth isn’t because of 86 Repairs—it’s because of their people, their process, and their commitment to being the best. But 86 Repairs has absolutely helped sharpen the edge.
So would he recommend the platform to others?
“If you’re good at what you do, yes—100%. If you’re not, don’t waste their time. They only work with pros.”
At the end of the day, Yates isn’t just running a business. He’s championing an industry he deeply respects.
“Restaurant owners are some of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met,” he says. “They don’t have time for excuses. They need partners they can count on. That’s who we try to be.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More
