Starting a fast food restaurant is an exciting adventure, but it can also be a daunting task. There is a lot of necessary equipment to set up a successful restaurant kitchen, and it can be overwhelming to figure out what you need. Fortunately, the essential items for a fast-food kitchen are relatively few and straightforward.
From fryers to grills to pizza hot holding cabinets, here are 8 essential pieces of kitchen equipment you need to get your restaurant up and running! With the right tools, you can create delicious meals that customers will love.
So, if you’re ready to embark on your restaurant journey, let’s get started.
1. Grills
You’ll need a grill if you’re serving up any kind of grilled food. You can find various grills, but most fast food restaurants use a charbroiler or flat-top grill. Charbroilers have an open fire and are designed to cook multiple food items. They’re good for frying, grilling, and toasting sandwiches. Dollar-wise, flat-top grills are the most cost-effective for a quick-service restaurant. They are not as versatile as charbroilers, but they are easier to maintain and clean. Flat Top grills are great for fried chicken, hamburgers, and toasting sandwiches.
2. Deep Fryers
If you’re serving fried foods, you’ll need a deep fryer. You can also use a deep fryer for fish, shrimp, and french fries. Fryers come in two basic types: oil-in-water and water-in-oil. Oil-in-water fryers are used for foods with high water content, like potatoes and fish. Water-in-oil fryers are used for foods with low water content, like chicken nuggets. You’ll need to clean out your fryer regularly, and it’s important to keep it well-maintained by having it serviced by professionals.
If you plan on serving fried foods like french fries or chicken tenders, then a deep fryer is a must-have piece of equipment for your kitchen. This appliance will help you achieve perfectly crispy fried foods every time!
3. Furnaces
You’ll need a sandwich oven or bun warmer if you’re serving up sandwiches or hot dogs. You can also use an oven for warming and baking food items like pies. While sandwich ovens and bun warmers provide a dedicated space for baking and warming, ovens are flexible cooking and holding tools. To get food to the right temperature, you need to know how long it takes for each item, and you’ll also need to factor in the maximum temperature your oven can reach.
4. Mixers
You’ll need a mixer if you need to mix dough, batters, or sauces. There are two kinds of mixers: dough mixers and bowl-lift mixers. You’ll need to decide which type of mixer is best suit to your kitchen. Dough mixers are great for mixing dough but are not as efficient when mixing other dough ingredients. Bowl-lift mixers are designed to be versatile and efficient in a range of kitchen tasks, but they don’t mix the dough as thoroughly.
5. Refrigeration
You’ll need a refrigeration system if you’re serving up any cold food items. Refrigeration units come in various types and sizes and are often combine with other kitchen equipment. You can use a refrigeration system with a display case if you’re serving up cold sandwiches, hot dogs, or drinks. You can use a countertop refrigeration system for cold salads and other cold food items.
6. Dishes and Utensils
You’ll need plates, bowls, spoons, and forks if you’re serving up hot or cold food items. You’ll also need plates with lids or bowls with lids for serving hot food items. You’ll need serving containers, like cups and bowls, for cold foods. You may also consider purchasing a few high-quality plastic knives and spoons. You’ll also want to consider investing in dishwashing equipment. You can either buy specialized equipment for your restaurant or use the dishwashing equipment from your home. You may also consider buying janitorial equipment, like mops and brooms.
7. Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need a way to clean your plates and bowls if you’re serving hot food items. You can use regular household dishwashing equipment or buy specialized restaurant dishwashing equipment. You’ll also want to consider purchasing some cleaning supplies, like paper towels, wipes, and sprays.
8. Janitorial Equipment
You’ll need janitorial equipment if you’re serving up any kind of hot or cold food items. You can choose from various machines, including floor squeegees, vacuum cleaners, and floor washing sweepers. You may also consider buying a few brooms, mops, and dustpans.
Bottom line:
Food is one of life’s basic necessities of life and what better way to make a living than to serve delicious food to other people? Starting a fast food restaurant is a wonderful way to earn a living, but you need the right equipment to succeed. We hope the above-mentioned tips about the equipment will help you take a good start in the restaurant industry. Good luck!
