If you’re reading this, chances are that you work in a restaurant and need to purchase new kitchen appliances. It’s an exciting time for a business, but it can be overwhelming when you’re trying to decide what type of equipment to buy for your operation.
This blog post will walk through the most important decisions that go into buying a new piece of equipment and the best ways to implement them into your menu.
When deciding on a piece of kitchen equipment for your operation, it’s important that you consider more than just the price.
- How does the equipment fit into your menu?
- Can you make it work?
If you’re thinking about purchasing a new oven, do your research. You might think that gas is better than electric, but in reality, most ovens operate on a standard 110V or 220V circuit. The difference between the two is how they heat: gas heats with natural gas while electric relies on electricity to operate.
Most outdoor, commercial and residential ovens operate on the same voltage. The most important aspect of a kitchen appliance is its ability to heat. While electric ovens are becoming more popular in commercial kitchens, gas ovens have been around for years and offer a better way to cook your food.
Gas ovens have more precise temperatures that allow you to cook foods from start to finish without under or overcooking them.
Once you decide on which type of kitchen appliance you want for your business, the next area of consideration is price and looks. While you don’t want to go into business thinking that your restaurant will be a Jack-of-all-trades, when you decide on a piece of equipment, think about how it needs to fit into your current menu.
If it’s something that’s not going to make or break your business, then you might want to opt for a more affordable package. But if you’re looking for a gadget that could bring in more customers in a positive way, you might want to invest in the aftermarket equipment.
After you decide on what type of equipment you’re looking for, the next biggest decision is the cost. There are going to be many different costs and options when it comes to purchasing kitchen equipment. When you purchase a new piece of equipment, it’s important that you consider the cost of labor.
Most daily restaurant operators have employees that will have to install or service the appliances and this can be very expensive depending on your location and current level of business. You may also want to consider the profit that you will be making from these new kitchen appliances.
With the above in mind, you can determine which type of equipment you need for your restaurant and what price range you have to work with. Once you know what type of equipment you’re looking for, it’s time to shop around. When approaching a manufacturer, don’t expect a salesperson or an employee to answer all of your questions.
Most manufacturers have sales representatives on the phones who will have answers to the most common questions and installers who can service your equipment. If you’re a large restaurant chain or you run multiple locations, you’ll want to hire a professional kitchen designer, who can help you find the perfect equipment for your operation.
So what type of equipment are you going to need? Your current menu is key in determining which type of equipment will be best for your operation. If you have a pizza oven on the menu, there’s no need to invest in purchasing a full-scale oven. Nor do you want to try and purchase too many kitchen appliances that don’t fit together. If you’re looking for a certain type of look and feel, consider purchasing equipment with similar colors.
Some of the most common kitchen appliances that restaurants own include:
Most kitchen appliances can be found at your local hardware stores or at restaurant supply warehouses. You can also find used equipment online at websites like Craigslist.
Before you decide on what type of kitchen appliances to purchase, do your homework. Talk to other restaurant owners in your area, read blogs and ask questions. There are also many different resources online that can help you learn more about the process and make sure that you buy the right equipment for your operation.
Whether you’re a new restaurant owner, or you’re just looking to purchase new kitchen equipment for your current operation, it’s important to do your research and make sure that you purchase the right equipment to fit into your business.