An Orange, Texas inventor working through InventHelp's 123Invent program has unveiled the SMOKE MATE, a grill mat engineered to eliminate grill marks on proteins and vegetables while cutting post-cook cleanup time. The product, filed under InventHelp reference HOF-903, is aimed at grilling and smoking applications where surface char patterns are undesirable or where throughput-driven cleanup is a concern.
No unit sales figures, AUV data, or commercial pricing have been disclosed at this stage. The invention remains in the prototype and patent-prosecution phase, meaning foodservice operators evaluating the concept would be engaging at the earliest point in the product development cycle — well ahead of any area development agreement or broadline distribution partnership.
From a unit-economics standpoint, back-of-house labor tied to grill cleaning is a tangible line item for high-volume QSR and fast-casual operators, particularly those running daypart-heavy breakfast and lunch sets on flat-top or open-flame equipment. Any accessory that credibly compresses that labor step carries at least conceptual appeal in a market where hourly wage pressure remains elevated across most major metro markets. Whether a mat solution translates from residential barbecue use to a commercial kitchen environment — where NSF certification, heat tolerances, and food-contact compliance are non-negotiable — is the central question operators would need answered before any trial.
The broader grilling-equipment and accessories segment has seen steady innovation pressure as fast-casual chains anchor menu identity around flame and smoke cues. Concepts in the better-burger and smash-burger space have leaned into visible char as a brand signal, which would actually cut against a mark-free value proposition. Conversely, operators running catering or off-premise barbecue programs — where presentation consistency across a full tray matters more than individual char aesthetics — may find the cleanup efficiency argument more compelling.
InventHelp, headquartered in Pittsburgh, positions its 123Invent service as a commercialization bridge for independent inventors, connecting concepts with licensing opportunities and manufacturer introductions. The company does not manufacture or distribute finished goods itself. Operators or equipment buyers interested in the SMOKE MATE at this stage would be engaging directly with the inventor through InventHelp's licensing pipeline rather than placing a purchase order through a broadline distributor.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.