It’s crucial to consider ‘what equipment do I need for a restaurant?’ if you are setting up a new restaurant venue from scratch. Without all the correct equipment, you won’t be ready to serve customers or get your restaurant properly up and running. Before you start purchasing kitchen equipment it’s essential to write a list and think clearly about what you need, by considering brand, price and the space you have.
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Consider the space you have and your budget
The amount of space you have in your restaurant kitchen will help you decide exactly how much equipment you need to invest in. Before purchasing anything, you should calculate how many people your restaurant can host at any given time, you will then be able to work out the number of tables and chairs needed. Step by step you can finalise a budget plan and source your equipment from an affordable provider.
What equipment do I need for a restaurant?
The equipment needed for a restaurant can vary depending on the size of the establishment, and of course, the type of food you are cooking. For example, if you are a Chinese restaurant you will need different kitchen equipment to a Japanese or Italian restaurant. If you are equipping an Italian restaurant, you will likely need pizza cutters, pizza boards, unlike an Asian restaurant where you might need to buy chopsticks and soy sauce dispensers.
Here are some ideas to consider when writing your list of equipment for the restaurant kitchen:
- Cooking equipment – ovens, stoves, grills, fryers, steamers.
- Refrigeration equipment – refrigerators, freezers, walk-in coolers, and ice machines.
- Food preparation tools – mixers, slices, food processors, blenders.
- Washing equipment – dishwashers, sinks, drying racks.
- Serving equipment – plates, glasses, trays, cutlery.
- Storage equipment – shelving units, containers, jars or pots.
- Sales systems – registers, card readers, tracking software for orders, inventory, sales.
- Basic furniture – tables, chairs, booths, bar stools.
- Kitchen tools – pots, pans, utensils, knives, food preparation machines.
- Safety equipment – fire systems, first aid kits, safety signs.
Your personal restaurant equipment list will vary depending on the menu you decide on and in the future, you might need to gradually invest in more equipment if you make changes to the menu. Most new restaurants find it beneficial to consult equipment suppliers or restaurant consultants to guide them in the right direction when it comes to answering the question ‘what equipment do I need for a restaurant?’. Asking for help in the process will work in your benefit and save you time, it is usually affordable too.
How to ensure the equipment you purchase is right for your restaurant
Trial and error isn’t an option when opening a new restaurant, the equipment you choose will need to be right the first time around as it’s expensive and must to be reliable. Going for the best quality and most efficient is pivotal for top performance and customer happiness. The better the kitchen equipment, the faster the preparation time and better the meals. There will of course be other dependants too, such as, how experienced the chefs are. Not only will equipment buying decisions need to be made, but also, restaurant kitchen design decisions; asking the design professionals can be a useful step to take and will be worth the cost in the long run.
Why is the right restaurant equipment important?
Investing in the correct restaurant equipment from the beginning is important as when opening a new venue, it’s crucial to make a great first impression to customers so they keep coming back. If a customer visits your restaurant and you have run out of cutlery or plates, they might have to wait longer for their food and this could cause aggravation and lead to complaints. The aim from the beginning is to get amazing reviews for your restaurant, and having the right equipment can play a big part in this.
Get ready to organise your restaurant kitchen
Now you have the answer to the question ‘what equipment do I need for a restaurant?’ you can begin to write your list and order exactly what you need. It can take some time to find the specific products and furniture you need, but it is always worth it in the long run. Purchasing brand new equipment can be a long journey but once you have everything and your staff ready to roll, there will be no better feeling than opening your very own restaurant!
