Opening and running a restaurant involves a lot of things. It requires a great amount of time and careful thought to make everything work in your favor to achieve desired results. Out of all the things, the kitchen equipment plays an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of the restaurant. The quality of food and service you offer to your customers is largely dependent on the type of kitchen equipment you use. From big items like ovens and refrigerators, to small appliances, such as mixers and food processors, each equipment plays a crucial role in delivering delicious food. With right kitchen equipment, you can prepare food promptly and serve your customers on time.
Since buying restaurant kitchen equipment is a big undertaking, it is essential that you conduct intense research and seek out enough information that will help you make the right decision. Therefore, we have curated a list of some important considerations that you need to make before purchasing large kitchen equipment.
#1 Prepare a list of equipment and set priority
Going to buy equipment without having a clear idea of where you wish to invest funds can quickly leave you paying more than you planned for. Hence, create a list of equipment that you wish to purchase. Alongside prioritize equipment by which are most significant to you and how frequently you are going to use it. If the equipment is not that important, you may go for a second-hand option that will save you money. Also, find out what can be avoided by investing in a multipurpose equipment.
#2 Consider available space
The huge size refrigerator you are looking for may be an ideal option, and may even fit in your budget, but will it actually fit in your restaurant’s kitchen? Therefore, when you are planning to buy kitchen equipment, you should always consider how much space it will occupy. Otherwise, the oversized equipment may hinder staff movement and prevent them from working at their full efficiency.
#3 Arranging funds to purchase the equipment
When you want to get your hands on top-of-the-line, advance commercial kitchen equipment, it is important that you have access to adequate funds. One surefire way to arrange a large sum of money is by opting for equipment financing. With equipment financing, the lender agrees to lend the amount you need to purchase the equipment or lease the equipment for a specific period, which you pay back in regular instalments along with interest. There are companies like BizFi that offer easy lending and leasing options, so you can get the equipment you need to continue business operations.
#4 Check energy efficiency
When working on the equipment budget, more than the upfront cost, you should consider the cost of running the equipment, including the energy it will consume. This factor is particularly important when operating equipment that requires maximum energy, such as refrigerators that run around the clock. Hence, choosing a model with better energy-efficient rating will certainly benefit you in the long run, even if it means spending a little more now.
#5 Choose the all-in-one service provider
The best restaurant kitchen equipment suppliers are those that not only help in installing your new equipment on site, but also offer post-installation maintenance and repair services. Such services will ensure smooth operation of the equipment over a longer duration, and therefore, ensure customer satisfaction. There are a number of suppliers available in the market today, so you should conduct a detailed research before purchasing.
#6 Know about warranties
While shopping for restaurant kitchen equipment, don’t get tempted by flashy features. Make sure you read the fine print and know about the equipment’s warranties. Learn about the duration of the warranty, repair covered under warranty and what instances will void your warranty. Warranties can save you considerable money down the road, so ensure you consider them before buying the equipment.
Final Words
The kitchen is the heart of any restaurant, so equip it with the best appliances you can buy. Moreover, customers expect to receive their orders as quickly as possible, and this is possible only when you have the right equipment placed conveniently in the kitchen. This will help you deliver high-quality food with fast turnaround times.
