A Q&A on Frontline International’s Sister Company
For more than two decades, Frontline International has helped foodservice operators improve safety, food quality, and efficiency through its industry-leading oil management equipment. Now, a sister company, OilCare®, delivers a full suite of services built around Frontline’s equipment, with operators choosing as much or as little support as they need.
Here, we discuss why OilCare was formed and how it is changing the way operators think about cooking oil.
Q: How does OilCare complement Frontline International?
A: Frontline’s model is the right fit for many operators. They purchase Frontline equipment, whether it’s for fresh oil distribution or used oil collection, and then manage the surrounding services themselves like procuring fresh oil and choosing a collector and renderer for UCO. It’s a model that works well for operators who want ownership and control.
But over time, we saw a growing segment of operators who wanted a partner that could manage the entire cooking oil ecosystem. There was no comprehensive solution in the market that truly connected equipment, fresh oil procurement, used oil collections, data visibility, maintenance, and financial performance under one program. OilCare was created to fill that gap.
Q: What was missing in the marketplace before OilCare?
A: Choice. Operators had to lock into long-term, 360-degree contracts in which one supplier controlled the oil management equipment, delivered one type of bulk oil to fill tanks, managed UCO collection, and kept the rebates. Operators were subject to endless lease payments and received very little return on their investment.
Q: How does OilCare approach the problem differently?
A: We start with a simple question: How can cooking oil become a more profitable part of the operation?
We provide industry-leading Frontline equipment with no upfront equipment costs through a fixed leasing arrangement. We specify, install, maintain, and service the system. We coordinate fresh oil delivery in jug-in-box packaging that is fresher and comes in greater variety than bulk. We manage the used cooking oil collections, but operators keep the rebates. Plus, because of our national scale, we’re able to negotiate a better rate than they could get themselves. We monitor performance and we use data to continually optimize the program.
That means operators can focus on running their restaurants and maximizing the value of their business.
Q: Why is OilCare a disruptor?
A: Because it changed the conversation. Historically, operators viewed cooking oil as a necessary expense and used oil as a logistical challenge. We saw an opportunity to turn both into managed assets. OilCare challenged the traditional vendor model by creating an end-to-end solution that aligns every component of the oil program toward the objective of improving operator profitability. The shift from transactional service provider to strategic operating partner is what makes OilCare different.
Q: How does technology support that mission?
A: One of the most powerful tools is the M3 data management system. The Ms stand for monitor, measure, and manage. The system tracks oil usage, consumption trends, volumes, collections, rebates, and program performance in real time. Operators can compare stores, monitor usage patterns, and review spending with complete transparency. What makes this especially valuable is that customers see the same information we do. Operators gain the ability to make better decisions based on actual data while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability, with no guesswork.
Q: How has OilCare filled a gap for the foodservice industry?
A: The industry has become more complex. Labor is tighter. Margins are under pressure. Sustainability expectations continue to rise. OilCare was designed specifically for this environment. By bringing together equipment, service, fresh oil procurement, waste oil collection and rebates, analytics, and ongoing support under a single program, we’ve helped operators simplify operations while gaining greater visibility and control.
Most importantly, we’ve demonstrated that cooking oil management can be more than a maintenance function. It can be a measurable contributor to business performance.
Q: What’s next for OilCare?
A: Our focus remains the same as it was on day one: helping operators become more profitable. As the industry evolves, we will continue developing smarter technologies, expanding service capabilities, and finding new ways to create value for our customers. Frontline International transformed oil handling through innovation in equipment. OilCare is taking the next step—transforming the entire cooking oil lifecycle into a safer, smarter, more profitable operation.