Workspace
Overview
The equipment / technology you need will obviously vary depending on your restaurant concept. However, local requirements for your equipment / technology may also vary by location. Since all restaurants must satisfy local health codes (e.g. standard refrigeration levels), always make sure you clearly understand such local requirements before doing any shopping.
Similar to inventory, there is an abundance of equipment / technology suppliers in the market. Such an abundance of options can make purchasing or leasing the right equipment / technology a big headache. Thus, it is also very important to clearly identify your budget and what you actually need in advance.
Below are the 2 main topics that this section will provide additional guidance on. Make to also leverage the Equipment Budget Tool.
I. Equipment Needs
II. Technology / Software Needs
I. Equipment Needs
Below are common categories to keep in mind when identifying your restaurant’s equipment needs. Again, note that relevant categories and the items that fall within them will vary greatly depending on your restaurant.
To help you organize your options and generate an initial equipment budget, make sure to leverage the Equipment Budget Tool.
1. Cooking Equipment
- Commercial Ovens / Ranges
- Commercial Grills
- Deep Fryers
- Microwaves
- Food Warmers
2. Refrigeration
- Freezers (Reach-in or Walk-in)
- Coolers ((Reach-in or Walk-in)
- Ice Machines
3. Storage / Preparation
- Shelving / Storage Racks
- Transportation Racks / Carts
- Item Display Cases
- Prep Tables / Counters
- Cutting Surfaces
- Slicers / Presses
- Mixers / Food Processors / Blenders
- Packaging / Storing Accessories
- Thermometers
4. Smallwares / Tabletop
- Commercial Cookware (e.g. pots, pans)
- Kitchen Cutlery / Utensils
- Tablecloth
- Tableware
5. Cleaning Equipment / Janitorial Supplies
- Commercial Dishwashers
- Bussing Equipment (e.g. bus tubs)
- Detergents
- Restroom Supplies
- Other Cleaning Equipment / Janitorial Supplies
6. Other Equipment
- Safety Equipment
- Delivery Equipment
II. Technology / Software Needs
There are so many new technologies and software specifically created to facilitate certain restaurant functions. However, which should you choose when first launching your restaurant? With a limited budget, you have to carefully consider how each technology would impact your operations and whether the benefit of using it outweighs the associated costs.
As such, below are some of the most relevant restaurant technologies categorized by their general level of necessity:
Tier 1 (absolutely necessary)
- Point of Sale (POS) System
- Accounting Software
- Inventory Management Software
- Social Media / Information Platforms
Tier 2 (necessary depending on restaurant concept)
- Table / Reservation Management Software
- Employee Management Software
- Delivery Service Applications
- Kitchen Display Screen (KDS) Technology
Tier 3 (beneficial depending on restaurant concept and budget)
- Tableside Ordering Kiosks
- Mobile Ordering Applications
- Digital Customer Loyalty Programs / Coupons
- Customer Engagement Technologies
- Electronic Games “While-You-Wait”
General
Good luck with starting your business and we look forward to working with you.
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