Terms of Use

Effective October 13, 2026 · Version 2026-10-13

The short version. The Playbook is a free reference tool. It is not professional advice, a code review, a design, or a certification. Always confirm requirements with your health department, building and fire officials, and licensed professionals before you build, buy, or open. You use it at your own risk.

1. Who we are and what these Terms cover

These Terms of Use ("Terms") are an agreement between you and STL Food Service Equipment LLC ("STLFSE," "we," "us," or "our"), St. Louis, Missouri. They cover the Kitchen Opening Playbook website at stlfse.com/playbook and any related pages, tools, checklists, calculators, printouts and emails (together, the "Playbook").

By creating access, checking the agreement box, or using the Playbook, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Playbook.

2. Who may use the Playbook

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter a binding agreement. If you use the Playbook for a business, you confirm you are allowed to accept these Terms for that business, and "you" includes that business.

3. Free reference tool only — not professional advice

The Playbook gives general educational information about planning a foodservice business, including menus, equipment, space planning, front-of-house setup, and codes and regulations. It is provided free of charge.

Not professional advice. Nothing in the Playbook is legal, engineering, architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire-protection, accounting, tax, insurance, financial, or food-safety advice. No professional relationship is created by your use of it.
Not a code review, design, inspection, or certification. STLFSE does not review, stamp, approve, or certify any plan. Results such as "pass," "fits," "OK," warnings, measurements, nozzle positions, occupant loads, fixture counts, BTU totals, utility notes, and checklists are rough estimates to help you ask better questions.
Codes vary and change. Requirements depend on your state, county, city, building, equipment and the edition of the code your jurisdiction has adopted. Your local authority having jurisdiction (health, building, fire, zoning) always has the final word. Code references and links may be outdated or incomplete.
Equipment information. Dimensions, ratings and specifications come from public sources and may be wrong or out of date. Always confirm with the manufacturer's current spec sheet and installation manual. Brand, model and software names are examples only, not endorsements, and those companies are not affiliated with STLFSE.
Hire licensed pros. Hoods, fire suppression, gas, electrical, plumbing, grease interceptors, refrigeration, structural and life-safety work must be designed, installed, and inspected by properly licensed professionals as your local laws require.

4. Your responsibilities

You are solely responsible for your decisions, purchases, plans, permits, construction, operations, food safety, staffing, and compliance with all laws.
You will verify information independently before relying on it.
You will give accurate information when you create access.
You will not misuse the Playbook: no scraping, reselling, copying it into a competing product, reverse engineering, attacking or overloading the site, or submitting false or harmful information.

5. Your plans stay on your device

Plans, checklists, logs, lines, layouts and notes you build in the Playbook are saved in your own browser on your own device. We do not receive or store them. If you clear your browser data or switch devices, they may be lost. Keep your own copies (the Playbook offers print and copy options). See the Privacy Policy for details.

6. Equipment purchases are separate

The Playbook is free and you are never required to buy anything. If you choose to buy equipment or services from STLFSE, that purchase is governed by the terms of sale, warranty and return policies shown at checkout or on your invoice, not these Terms. Nothing in the Playbook is a quote, price guarantee, or offer to sell.

7. Links to other websites

The Playbook links to government agencies, code publishers, software companies and other third-party sites for your convenience. We do not control them and are not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, or privacy practices.

8. Our content

The Playbook, including its text, design, graphics, tools and code, is owned by STLFSE and protected by copyright and other laws. You may use it and print it for your own business planning and share links to it. You may not copy, republish, sell, or create derivative works from it without our written permission. "STL Food Service Equipment" and "STLFSE" are our names and marks.

9. Disclaimer of warranties

THE PLAYBOOK IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND CODE COMPLIANCE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLAYBOOK WILL BE ERROR-FREE, UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR THAT ANY PLAN WILL PASS INSPECTION OR BE APPROVED.

10. Limitation of liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, STLFSE AND ITS OWNERS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, FAILED INSPECTIONS, PERMIT DELAYS, FINES, CONSTRUCTION OR RE-WORK COSTS, OR EQUIPMENT COSTS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PLAYBOOK OR YOUR RELIANCE ON IT, EVEN IF WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE POSSIBLE. BECAUSE THE PLAYBOOK IS FREE, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATED TO THE PLAYBOOK WILL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100).

Some places do not allow certain limits, so some of these may not apply to you. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.

11. Indemnity

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless STLFSE and its owners, members, managers, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, fines, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Playbook, your plans, purchases, construction, or operations, or your breach of these Terms or any law.

12. Changes and ending access

We may update, change, or stop offering the Playbook, or any part of it, at any time. We may update these Terms; the version and effective date at the top will change, and continued use means you accept the new Terms. We may suspend or end your access if you misuse the Playbook. Sections 3 through 15 survive.

13. Governing law and where disputes are heard

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. Before filing any claim, you agree to email us at the address below and give us 30 days to try to resolve it informally. Any lawsuit must be brought only in the state or federal courts located in St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis, Missouri, and you and we consent to those courts. Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court instead.

14. Other terms

These Terms and the Privacy Policy are the whole agreement about the Playbook. If any part is found unenforceable, the rest stays in effect. Our failure to enforce a term is not a waiver. You may not transfer these Terms; we may transfer them with our business.

15. Contact

STL Food Service Equipment LLC
St. Louis, Missouri
heard@stlfse.com

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