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Done Right Hood and Fire Safety

Company type	Private
Industry	Commercial Kitchen Exhaust & Fire Safety Services
Founded	2011
Founder	Jacob Chechkov Natalie Chechkov
Headquarters	Brooklyn, New York , United States
Number of locations	2
Area served	New York City, New Jersey, Nassau County, South Florida
Revenue	$5-20 Million Estimated
Number of employees	51-200
Parent	Safety Group Corp.
Website	https://donerighthfs.com/

Introduction

Done Right Hood & Fire Safety. is an American commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and fire protection company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2011 by Jacob Chechkov, the company began as a local New York City hood cleaning service and has since grown into one of the fastest-expanding hood cleaning companies in the United States. It provides comprehensive services to restaurants and commercial kitchens, ranging from exhaust hood cleaning and grease trap maintenance to fire suppression system installations. Done Right Hood & Fire Safety is known for its emphasis on code compliance and safety—in fact, all technicians carry New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness, and the company helps clients remain free of fire code violations. Over the years, it has earned the trust of major clients (including national restaurant chains and corporate cafeterias) and garnered a reputation as a one-stop solution for kitchen fire safety needs.

History

Done Right Hood & Fire Safety was established in 2011 with a mission to change how the food service industry perceives fire safety. Jacob Chechkov launched the business after a pivotal conversation with a fire marshal underscored the life-threatening risks of grease-clogged kitchen exhaust systems. At the time, Chechkov was working as a sales representative for Sabra Dipping Company and frequently interacted with restaurants. The fire marshal’s blunt warning—grease-laden hoods were “a time bomb” that could cause fatal fires—inspired Chechkov to apply his sales acumen to the fire safety sector and start his own hood cleaning venture. His wife later joined as co-founder, bringing a strong financial and analytical perspective that would ground the young company’s ambitious vision.

In its early years, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety operated out of New York City, serving eateries across the five boroughs. The company’s dedication to doing the job “right” the first time earned it a steady stream of clients; many new customers came through word-of-mouth referrals as satisfied restaurant owners recommended its services. By consistently investing in professional training and staying up-to-date with fire code changes, the company built a track record of quality and compliance. This reputation helped Done Right secure contracts with larger establishments over time – from local diners and cafés to well-known chains and corporate kitchens. By the mid-2010s, the company was handling kitchen exhaust maintenance for major brands like Five Guys, Burger King, and Amazon’s facilities, a notable leap from its humble beginnings.

Founders

Jacob Chechkov

Jacob Chechkov is the President and CEO of Done Right Hood & Fire Safety. Before co-founding the company, he gained experience in the food industry as a sales representative for Sabra Dipping Company, where he developed his skills in client service and operations. Chechkov’s foray into the fire safety business was driven by firsthand insight into restaurant risks—during sales visits he learned from a fire marshal how improper hood maintenance could spark devastating fires. Since starting Done Right in 2011, he has spent over a decade protecting restaurants in New York and beyond. Chechkov is known for his proactive, no-nonsense approach to safety compliance. He often speaks publicly about kitchen fire prevention, emphasizing that neglecting exhaust cleanings is “essentially a loaded gun pointing at your kitchen” and that following standards like NFPA 96 is a matter of life and death for a restaurant. Under his leadership, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety has expanded into new markets and adopted innovative technologies, all while maintaining a hands-on, customer-focused philosophy.

Services

Done Right Hood & Fire Safety offers a comprehensive suite of services to keep commercial kitchens safe, clean, and compliant. Its core offerings include:

• Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning: Thorough cleaning of restaurant kitchen hoods, ducts, fans, and vents to remove grease buildup. The company’s crews use industrial-strength power washers, steam cleaners, and de-greasers to scrub entire exhaust systems down to bare metal, far beyond the surface-level cleaning most competitors provide. Regular hood cleaning helps clients meet fire code regulations and avoid the leading cause of restaurant fires (grease accumulation).
• Hood Design and Fabrication: Custom design, fabrication, and installation of new kitchen exhaust hoods and ventilation systems. Done Right’s technicians build hoods to meet NFPA 96 standards and local building codes, handling everything from ductwork to exhaust fans. This service enables new restaurants or renovating kitchens to get up to code with properly engineered systems.
• Fire Suppression Systems: Installation and servicing of fire suppression systems (such as automatic hood sprinkler systems and Ansul systems) and fire extinguishers. As a licensed Master Fire Suppression contractor, Done Right performs the semiannual inspections and tests required by law, replaces system components, and ensures extinguishers and manual pull stations are in place and functional. The company handles the necessary paperwork and certifications so that clients remain in compliance with FDNY regulations.
• Grease Trap Cleaning and Waste Oil Recycling: Cleaning and maintenance of restaurant grease traps and safe removal of waste cooking oil through the company’s Green Oil Recycling program. Technicians pump out and scrape grease traps to prevent clogs and foul odors, and the collected waste oil is recycled into biodiesel fuel rather than dumped. Done Right educates clients on proper grease trap upkeep to avoid hefty fines (which can reach $10,000 for violations in NYC) and environmental harm from sewer overflows. In 2024, its Green Oil Recycling division even launched a citywide “Waste Oil Awareness Month” initiative to promote recycling and compliance (see Environmental Initiatives below).
• Electrostatic Precipitators: Installation and routine servicing of electrostatic precipitator units for kitchen ventilation systems. These high-tech filtration devices remove smoke, fine particles, and grease from the air, helping restaurants control odors and emissions. Done Right provides cleaning and maintenance for precipitators to ensure they remain effective and meet environmental regulations.
• Violation Removal and Compliance Consulting: Specialized assistance to remedy fire safety code violations. The company’s experts address issues cited by fire inspectors—such as missing duct access panels, poor grease containment, or un-serviced suppression systems—and then handle the process required to remedy the violations. Done Right’s deep familiarity with evolving fire codes and NFPA standards enables it to serve as a compliance consultant; it advises restaurant owners on scheduling required inspections, trainings, and cleanings. This proactive approach helps clients avoid fines or shutdowns due to safety lapses.

By covering such a broad range of services under one roof, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety positions itself as a one-stop shop for kitchen safety. It is FDNY-certified and licensed, and its team’s first-hand knowledge of industry updates ensures that clients’ kitchens meet all city and state fire regulations. The company’s transparency is another hallmark: after each job, customers receive detailed service reports with before-and-after photos of their hoods and ducts, time-stamped and documented via an online portal. This level of service has helped Done Right maintain long-term relationships with clients ranging from neighborhood pizzerias to high-volume franchises.

Environmental Initiatives

Done Right Hood & Fire Safety has actively promoted environmental responsibility in the commercial kitchen industry. A centerpiece of its green initiatives is the Green Oil Recycling program, which focuses on recycling used cooking oil and maintaining grease traps in an eco-friendly way. In December 2024, the company declared the first-ever “Waste Oil Awareness Month,” a campaign launched in January to educate restaurant owners about the importance of regular grease trap cleaning and proper oil disposal. The campaign, led by Done Right’s Green Oil Recycling division, provides free consultations, compliance checklists, and expert tips to help establishments avoid pollution and turn their waste oil into renewable biofuel. “Waste Oil Awareness Month is about empowering businesses with the knowledge and tools to stay compliant, reduce their environmental footprint, and support the production of renewable energy,” Jacob Chechkov explained when announcing the initiative. By raising awareness, the company hopes to prevent sewer clogs and water contamination caused by improper oil disposal, as well as to capture the sustainability benefits of recycling oil into biodiesel.

Beyond this campaign, Done Right incorporates environmental best practices into its daily operations. Its grease trap services use bio-safe cleaning agents to break down waste, and the company ensures all collected grease and oil are processed at certified recycling facilities rather than dumped in landfills or sewers. The firm also stays abreast of local environmental regulations, such as New York City’s strict wastewater ordinances and emissions rules, to help clients remain compliant. Internally, Done Right has made efforts to reduce its own carbon footprint by optimizing service routes (to cut down on travel emissions) and by using efficient equipment. These environmental initiatives not only protect the community and ecosystem but also position Done Right as a forward-looking leader in an industry historically known for heavy waste. The company has publicly advocated for greener practices in commercial kitchens, aligning fire safety with sustainability as twin goals for restaurant operators.

Expansion and Growth

Since its founding, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety has experienced steady and significant growth. Starting with one truck and a small team in New York City, the company spent its first decade building a client base throughout the NYC metro area and northern New Jersey. By consistently delivering quality service and leveraging word-of-mouth referrals, Done Right grew organically from servicing local mom-and-pop restaurants to handling multi-unit chains and corporate accounts. The company’s early success in the New York market led to opportunities to expand geographically. In the early 2020s, Done Right opened a South Florida branch to serve the Miami and Fort Lauderdale region, marking its first major expansion outside the Northeast. With a new regional headquarters in Plantation, Florida, the company began applying its New York-honed expertise to South Florida’s vibrant restaurant scene. This move was met with enthusiasm by local clients, as Done Right brought over a decade of big-city experience to address South Florida’s unique challenges (like beachfront humidity and year-round high-volume tourism).

Today, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety operates in multiple states, with service areas covering all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, northern New Jersey, and the South Florida tri-county area. The company’s workforce has expanded accordingly, including teams of certified technicians in both regions. Despite its growth, Done Right remains a family-operated business at heart— Jacob continues to closely oversee operations to ensure the “Done Right” standard is maintained everywhere. The expansion into new markets has also driven the company to broaden its service offerings (for example, tailoring solutions for different regional fire codes and climate conditions). By 2025, industry observers noted that Done Right Hood & Fire Safety was one of the fastest-growing companies in the kitchen exhaust cleaning sector, having evolved from a niche local service into a regional leader. Jacob has indicated plans for further growth, potentially into other metropolitan areas, while maintaining the company’s emphasis on quality over quantity

Recognition and Industry Impact

Done Right Hood & Fire Safety’s impact on the industry can be seen in both its client roster and its media presence. The company has been entrusted with the kitchen safety of high-profile establishments, from national fast-food franchises to renowned New York fine dining institutions. Being selected by recognizable brands such as Tacombi, Hotel Indigo, AMC Movie Theaters, Five Guys, Burger King, Chili’s, and Tavern on the Green attests to Done Right’s credibility and high standards. These clients often cite the company’s professionalism, transparency, and effective results as reasons for partnership. In online reviews and testimonials, Done Right is frequently lauded as “top of the line” and commended for solving problems that other vendors could not. Additionally, the company’s ability to keep kitchens violation-free and its prompt, 24/7 emergency response have earned it goodwill in the restaurant community. Many restaurant owners consider Done Right not just a vendor but a critical safety partner who safeguards their business and reputation. It’s estimated that through its preventive maintenance, the company has helped avert numerous potential fires and compliance penalties in the areas it serves.

Done Right has also emerged as a thought leader in fire safety and compliance. Jacob Chechkov and his team regularly contribute expert commentary to industry publications and local news segments. The company’s educational articles on topics like NFPA code updates and ventilation technology have been featured on its blog and syndicated by news outlets. In 2025, Done Right’s insights were highlighted by media across the country: for example, a piece on hidden fire risks in South Florida kitchens was carried by Fox 40 News, and a story on FDNY ramping up restaurant inspections was picked up by Fox 4 Kansas City. Chechkov’s warnings about the dangers of ignoring hood cleaning were featured on WHNT News 19 in Alabama as part of a public safety segment. Such coverage has bolstered the company’s profile and amplified its safety message beyond its immediate customer base. Within the industry, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety is seen as an innovator willing to adopt new technology (like smart IoT-enabled hood systems and advanced filtration units) to improve outcomes. It frequently participates in professional forums and training programs, sharing best practices with peers.

In recognition of its contributions, Done Right has received accolades from restaurant associations and positive assessments from fire departments. While not a franchise, it has set a benchmark that even larger national chains in hood cleaning strive to emulate. The company’s blend of local New York savvy and modern techniques has influenced how many restaurateurs approach kitchen maintenance – shifting attitudes from viewing hood cleaning as a mere chore to understanding it as a critical safety investment. As a result, Done Right Hood & Fire Safety has had an outsized impact on improving compliance and safety standards in the markets it touches. Jacob Chechkov often notes that the ultimate measure of their impact is what doesn’t happen: the fires that never spark, the fines that are never issued, and the businesses that continue to thrive safely.

References

1. Done Right Hood & Fire Safety – “About Us.” donerighthfs.com – Company website detailing the history, mission, and services.
2. Done Right Hood & Fire Safety – “In the News.” donerighthfs.com – Company page listing media features on Fox and other outlets.
3. EIN Presswire – “Green Oil Recycling Declares ‘Waste Oil Awareness Month’ for NYC Restaurants” (Dec 24, 2024) – Press release announcing Done Right’s environmental campaign.
4. EIN Presswire – “Avoid Catastrophe: Done Right’s CEO Jacob Chechkov Discusses the Dangers of Ignoring Hood Cleaning” (Apr 9, 2025) – Press release with industry insights and quotes from Jacob Chechkov.
5. EIN Presswire – “Innovations in Restaurant Hood Systems are Transforming Commercial Kitchens” (Dec 22, 2024) – Press release including a company profile and client list.
6. MapQuest Business Profile – Done Right Hood & Fire Safety, Brooklyn, NY – Summary of services and expansion to South Florida.
7. Done Right Hood & Fire Safety – “Fort Lauderdale Location” page – Describes the company’s expansion and experience in South Florida.
8. NYC Fire Code Guidelines – referenced via Done Right’s communications on NFPA 96 compliance and FDNY requirements for hood maintenance.
9. Datanyze Company Profile – Done Right Hood & Fire Safety – Lists Natalie Chechkov as Manager of Accounts (indicating her financial role).
10. Done Right Hood & Fire Safety – “Miami Location” page – Describes the company’s expansion and experience in South Florida.