6 Equipment Buying Tips Every Restaurant Owner Needs to Know
July 8, 2017If you own a restaurant, knowing how to purchase the right equipment is one of the key ingredients to the success of your company. Here’s a bit of advice to help you become a purchasing pro:
Our 6 Restaurant Equipment Buying Tips
1. Consider your current situation and plans for expansion. When purchasing restaurant equipment, consider not only the current size of your kitchen, but also any plans to grow in the future. What you currently need and what your present space can accommodate may be different than what you will need later; a larger or more upscale model may be in order.
Make a list of your current restaurant equipment needs, and note alongside it what you may need later on. Another thing to think about while you write your list is your current menu and any changes you might make to your menu. Consider all the cooking tools you might need to cook your current and future menu items. Try to leave room for new ideas.
2. Make a budget. Have a good look at your finances and decide how much money you can allocate to each aspect of your business. How much money do you plan to spend on your restaurant equpiment? Keep in mind that if you are a new business owner you should be very aware of your budget, as this can quickly make or break your business.
Although you may save money by purchasing more advanced equipment right away, some purchases and upgrades might be best left to when you are making more profits.
3. Find the balance between high quality and an affordable price. If only we had an unlimited pocketbook, we would all choose top-of-the-line restaurant equipment. However, we must keep our budget in mind. Choose quality equipment but be mindful of the cost.
Remember, the cost of restaurant equipment is not just in the price tag. For one, high-quality equipment will help you create better food. Certain equipment, especially heat-producing items like ovens, can use a lot of energy, so energy efficiency is an important consideration. Good equipment also last longer as a rule and cost you less in maintenance and repairs. In many cases, you really save money when you buy a better-quality piece of equipment.
4. Ensure compliance. The first thing you should do before buying any restaurant equipment is to check all government regulations, including building, health, fire and other local codes. When making your purchases, ensure the equipment meets all the codes. Remember, inspectors will likely check your equipment when they visit your restaurant. You don’t want to waste money on replacing a new purchase that’s not up to code!
5. Buy something efficient and practical. Ensure the restaurant equipment you buy is easy to use, clean and maintain. Consider the amount of time it will take to train your staff to use the equipment, and how much time cleaning and upkeep will take
6. Consider the warranty and post-purchase service. Be sure to ask if there is a warranty for the restaurant equipment you’re thinking of buying, as well as what is covered under that warranty. If you’re buying a model you haven’t used before, some companies offer training on installation and use, so inquire about this as well.
4 Money-Saving Strategies You Can Use in Your Restaurant NOW
Running a restaurant is one of the most interesting and lucrative businesses one can engage in with the right money-saving strategies. However, it also poses to be one of the most difficult. Many factors have to be put into consideration in order to make sure that...
Businesses that Should be Selling Frozen Beverages in 2017
Adding a frozen beverage machine to your slate of money-making channels is great way to drum up additional sales. Since there is low overhead cost associated with selling frozen beverages, whether it is an FCB (Frozen Carbonated Beverage) or FUB (Frozen Uncarbonated...
Start Preparing Your Restaurant for Summer!
As a restaurant owner, you may have noticed that weather has affects the number of customers that walk through your door. It is widely understood, for example, that rain drives customers indoors as they seek shelter from the storm. Snowstorms, of course, discourage...
Create a Memorable Dining Experience with the Right Flatware
According to Will Rogers, “you will never get a second chance to make a first impression.” In a restaurant, flatware is a small but essential part of making a great impression. Flatware is a particularly important design element because customers won’t just look it;...
Cleaning Your Commercial Deep Fryer Made Easy
A commercial deep fryer requires daily cleaning to keep the appliance in perfect working condition. However, cleaning the restaurant’s deep fryer is one of the most dreaded tasks for many restaurant workers. Who could blame them? The process of cleaning a deep fryer...
The Top Chefs Use Cast Iron. Do You?
From pots to pans, restaurant cookware has been made out of all kinds of materials. What kind do you use? It’s time for you to use cast iron. Cast iron cookware has many benefits. Let’s take a look at why you need to be using cast iron in your professional kitchen....
How to Crash the Dine and Dash
Any business that sells physical products is subject to the occasional theft. So do restaurants, but it's just called dine and dash. Those who dine and dash take advantage of the fact that they receive their purchase before they pay, rather than after. In many...
Preparing for Your Restaurant’s Grand Opening
Starting a restaurant is an adventure, especially with the Grand Opening. There will have been months of planning, preparation, purchasing and hiring for your grand opening. When you finally have everything ready, your grand opening is a big deal. If everything is...
Guide to Buying the Perfect Knives
Knives are arguably one of the most important tools in any kitchen. Your chefs are the heartbeat of your restaurant and they deserve quality knives that ease the task of cooking great food. When buying the perfect knives for your chefs, keep in mind that the most...
Equipment Buying Tips for Restaurant Owners
If you own a restaurant or you’re starting a new one, you will need the right equipment. It is important to choose quality equipment that will not only get the job done well but also cost you less in the long run. However, it can be hard to know where to start. Here...
5 Decor Ideas for an Inviting Restaurant Feel
Great food and customer service are important parts of the equation that keeps customers coming, but the restaurant experience is not just about the food. The best restaurants cater to every aspect of a customer’s experience. The right ambiance is a must. This means...
5 Tips for an Ergonomically Sound Restaurant
The physical environment of your restaurant should not only be appealing to customers but also be comfortable and safe for your employees. Due to the repetitive motions that characterize the job description of restaurant employees, there is a potential for...
How to Make Your Silverware Sparkle and Shine
No one wants to eat off of dirty or tarnished silverware. While it’s easy to clean silverware of leftover food, the tarnishing will still linger unless you take steps to make your silverware shine. To make the best impression on your guests, your silverware should not...
Top 6 Movies for Restaurant Owners
The movies that connect with us on a personal level are the ones that linger in our memories forever, especially when it deals with food and the drama in a commercial kitchen. Achieving that level of intimacy in the fictional world of movies is easier said than done....