The Ultimate Restaurant Equipment Guide

Opening a new restaurant requires a lot of planning on what restaurant equipment is needed for your business. This can easily add up to your start-up cost together with other expenses such as lease, licenses, labor, and marketing promotions.

Getting the right equipment is essential to have a fully functioning kitchen that efficiently serves your customers daily.

In comes the question: What restaurant equipment do you need in your kitchen? Here’s a list of the essential restaurant equipment that you’ll want to consider for a fully operational restaurant:

Big Equipment

1. Ovens
2. Grills
3. Fryers
4. Rotisseries
5. Breading systems
6. Display area
7. Food warmers
   1. Counter warmer
   2. Holding cabinet
8. Dump tables
9. Beverage machines
10. Carbonated beverages
11. Juices, shakes, and smoothies
12. Coffee maker
13. Ice cream machines
14. Freezers and refrigerators
15. Prep counters
16. Washing equipment
17. Ranges
18. Point of sale system

Medium-sized Equipment

1. Storage rack and containers
2. Food processors
3. Mixers
4. Microwave

Small Equipment

1. Cutlery
2. Cooking equipment
3. Cleaning supplies
4. Safety equipment

Things to Consider When Sourcing Restaurant Equipment

Industry Specific

The type of equipment you will need greatly depends on the type of restaurant you are opening. Are you running a bakery? If so, then your list will be different from a quick service concept or casual dining.

Also consider what your operational challenges will be and evaluate equipment that can reduce the number of staff on the line and improve ticket times.

Size of Restaurant

Another thing to take note of is the size of your restaurant’s kitchen. Study the blueprint and layout of your space. A well-thought kitchen will have enough room for people to move without bumping into each other. Workflow from one piece of equipment to another will maximize the efficiency and limit energy spent.

Equipment Quality

Quality is everything when choosing your restaurant equipment. When doing a quality check, consider the following: Which equipment will you be using the most? What is the expected wear life of the equipment you are purchasing? What is the cost of ownership for service and repairs?

Choosing the Right Supplier

How much can your supplier help you through your buying process? Do they cater easily to your specific requests? Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions regarding your restaurant equipment. Making sure you are in the right hands will put your mind at ease with all the planning.

Post-purchase Servicing

When the inevitable happens to your equipment, will your supplier provide you with post-purchase servicing? It is important to keep in touch with your supplier to make sure your equipment is always in top shape.

Pricing

Pricing is perhaps one of the most crucial things when it comes to buying your restaurant equipment. Make sure and understand that the equipment you are purchasing is capable of handling your projected volume. An equipment expert can match your estimated volume with the proper size of grill, oven, fryer, etc.

Another financial alternative is leasing your equipment. Instead of paying cash, leasing provides you with the equipment you need with a manageable monthly payment.

The Right Restaurant Equipment for Your Business

Getting the right restaurant equipment for your business is no easy task. It involves a lot of planning, researching, and budgeting. Make sure to evaluate your restaurant’s menu and your kitchen layout to find out which restaurant equipment works best for your business.

It will take time to cross-off items in your restaurant equipment list but having a well-planned kitchen with all the restaurant equipment that you need ensures the long-term success of your restaurant and keeps your customers coming back for more!

Remember, when in doubt, ask for advice from experts in the field of restaurant equipment. At DSL Northwest, our primary goal is to keep our client’s businesses running and their customers happy. If you want to make restaurant equipment planning easy and hassle-free, send our team a message here, and we’ll be more than happy to help you with your restaurant.