Opening and running a restaurant is a huge commitment of time and money. Building a successful restaurant is similar to assembling an enormous puzzle. From outfitting your space and designing a menu to hiring the best staff and assembling a commercial kitchen, there are many pieces to the puzzle. Time, thought and money will be required to ensure that all pieces fit together. One of the most important pieces of your restaurant puzzle will be your kitchen equipment.
Major items like freezers and ovens will be the backbone of your kitchen and will require a large investment. Smaller items like mixers, pans, and prep tables will also play a crucial role in the success of your kitchen, however. To prepare delicious dishes for your guests and turn a profit, you must have a quality kitchen setup. When opening a restaurant there are many things to think about and do before opening. Purchasing the best kitchen equipment will be a major factor for early success. Let’s take a look at some tips for purchasing restaurant equipment.
1. Select a quality retailer.
Since your restaurant’s equipment will be a significant investment, you’ll want to make sure that it’s backed up by a reputable retailer. Working with a responsible restaurant supply store dealer that provides quality equipment and stands by its products can make a real difference.
When you’re making such large purchases that your restaurant will depend on, you shouldn’t feel like you’re on your own. A retailer like The Restaurant Warehouse will provide you with a variety of options and can offer good advice. A large restaurant warehouse will also be able to provide low warehouse prices and even offer free and fast delivery. Don’t be afraid to be picky when selecting a retailer to provide your restaurant equipment.
2. Make an equipment plan.
When you’re purchasing equipment, you’ll need to prioritize your purchases. The major factor that will drive your purchases is your menu. A pizza restaurant that is into traditional cooking, for example, will obviously need a good quality wood fired oven and will need to be the priority. No matter if you are starting a food truck or a five-star restaurant, however, you’ll need a clear strategy of how you plan to allocate your funds.
Without an equipment plan to prioritize your spending, you could end up with a price tag much larger than you anticipated. You can make an equipment list that ranks your most essential items to help you decide which pieces you need the most.
3. Consider your kitchen’s processes.
The processes and flow of your kitchen will dictate the equipment that you need. The equipment that you purchase for your kitchen has to compliment your food service activities. To understand this, it will be best to consult with your chefs and kitchen staff to help you design the flow of the kitchen. With that information, you can select pieces of equipment that will maximize the kitchen activities.
Restaurant equippers will be able to provide the best advice for the equipment that fits your needs. As an example, a standard oven might be best for heating fully plated dishes. For a quick-service restaurant serving dishes in an assembly line type layout, however, a conveyor oven might be needed to keep the food moving. For each piece of equipment in your kitchen, you’ll want to consider how it will aid your staff in turning out the best dishes most efficiently.
Starting a restaurant is expensive and you’ll need to ensure that you set yourself up for success. From caterers and food truck operators to owners of large restaurants, certain equipment will be required to operate efficiently and successfully. When considering equipment, it’ll be best to choose a quality warehouse store, develop an equipment plan, and consider the needs of your kitchen. With some thought and planning, you can create the best kitchen for your restaurant