Opening a new restaurant comes with several initial costs. In addition to hiring staff, getting licenses and permits, and leasing commercial space, you’ll also need to purchase appliances.
The right appliances can enable your staff to perform their duties effectively and even allow you to offer quality service. But what appliances are must-haves?
Well, the answer isn’t clear-cut. The appliances you’ll need will depend on the type of restaurant you’re opening. For example, the needs of a fast-food restaurant will differ from those of a fine dining restaurant. However, some appliances are crucial regardless of the type of restaurant you’re starting. That said, here’s a list of 5 essential appliances you’ll need to run a small restaurant business.
Ovens
The oven is arguably the appliance that comes top of mind. While you may want to buy a residential oven to save on costs, don’t skimp on an oven. Ensure you get a commercial oven. Unlike residential ovens, commercial ones are built for heavy use.
Also, before you purchase an oven, bear in mind factors like oven size, quality, and purpose. For example, if you’re opening a bakery, look out for convection ovens.
Refrigerators and Freezers
No matter the type of restaurant you’re opening, you’ll need to purchase a freezer or refrigerator for several reasons.
First, freezers will allow you to preserve food and ensure your restaurant complies with food safety and health regulations. Additionally, freezers can help you to save on costs. It’s more economical to buy ingredients in bulk than to buy them daily.
When looking for a freezer, you’ll need to consider your floor space. If you have plenty of space, walk-in-freezers are an excellent choice since they offer ample storage space. Alternatively, you can opt for a reach-in freezer. Reach-in freezers like a used stainless steel three-door commercial freezer are an excellent option if you’re opening a small establishment and you’re on a budget.
Cooking Tools
You’ll need cooking tools to prepare meals. While the tools required vary from restaurant to restaurant, some essentials include:
- Pots and pans in various sizes
- Knives
- Tasting and mixing spoons
- Tongs
- Whisks
- Spatulas
- Mixing bowls
You’ll also need more than one of each of the items listed above. The last thing you want is your patrons to complain about slow service because your staff was busy washing bowls.
Tableware
You can’t run a restaurant if you can’t serve food. You’ll need to stock up on plates, cups, glasses, spoons, knives, and forks in various sizes. When shopping for tableware, think about your storage space and the number of guests you intend to serve to help you decide how much tableware you need.
Preparation Surfaces
Last but not least, you’ll need preparation surfaces like cutting boards and prep counters. For your cutting boards, you can opt for plastic or wood. Plastic boards are easier to clean and less susceptible to cross-contamination. But even if you pick plastic boards, consider color coding your boards to prevent cross-contamination. For example, you can use red for red meat and green for vegetables.
Get the Necessary Appliances
Every restaurant is unique, and appliance needs vary from one establishment to another. But, if you’re opening a new restaurant, the appliances listed above are must-haves no matter the type of restaurant you’re starting.