Despite the focus on healthy food and homemade meals in recent years, fast food restaurants are still going strong and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
So if you’re considering investing in your own fast food restaurant, you may be wondering what the essential equipment items you absolutely need to get started. The following fast food restaurant equipment list can help you decide with confidence whether it’s your first restaurant or your fifth.
Kiosks
The self ordering kiosk is one of a few ways fast-food restaurants appeal to customers who don’t want to wait for their food. While some customers prefer speaking with an employee about their order, others like ordering through a touchscreen kiosk or tablet. You’ll find that these devices are quite simple and easy to use. In most cases, you’ll be able to choose between two or three options for customization.
Prep Tables
Fittingly, prep tables are a requirement to prepare food. By setting up a prep table right near your grill and having ready-to-cook ingredients handy, you’ll be able to save time and speed food prep along. Prep tables also work well if you are making grilled dishes that call for things like sliced onions and tomatoes as toppings—all of which can be done in advance so that once it’s time to cook burgers or chicken or fish, everything is ready.
Refrigeration Equipment
Walk-in coolers are important for any restaurant to ensure food is kept at safe temperatures. We recommend you also have a separate walk-in freezer for storing frozen foods such as ice cream and other specialty items. In addition, look into equipment like blast chillers that freeze food quickly, making it possible to store fresh produce over an extended period.
Fryers and Griddles
In addition to a commercial cooking range, you’ll need one or more flat-top grills and deep fryers. Don’t forget to buy baskets and an appropriate amount of oil.
Back of House Utensils
You should keep your back of the house stocked with plastic cutlery, tongs, spatulas, scoops, and kitchen sponges. If you’re using disposables, always have enough on hand. Also, remember to stock up on salt and pepper shakers.
Commercial Kitchen Hood
If you’re planning to start a fast-food restaurant, you need to make sure that your commercial kitchen has a commercial hood. This unit helps your cooking area stay clear of smoke, heat, and steam as it rises through an exhaust duct. It also reduces fire hazards and improves energy efficiency by forcing heat out of your kitchen with minimal effort from your blower motor.
Commercial Sinks
These sinks are ideal for wet work, such as washing and storing dishes. They can also come in handy when dealing with messy or greasy substances like raw meat. Make sure to check that your sink comes with a stopper or plug since you’ll want to keep it closed while it’s not in use to prevent bacteria from growing inside.
Shelving
You can’t run a fast food restaurant without all your ingredients ready to go. Whether you’re serving sushi or seafood tacos, that fresh fish has to come from somewhere. Shelving comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but there are three things to look for when choosing: durability, safety, and displayability.
Having a well-thought-out plan for opening a fast food restaurant can make all of the difference in whether your business succeeds or fails. It’s important to know what you need, how much it will cost and how long it will take to get your restaurant up and running. With careful planning, you’ll be on your way to success.
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