Buying Restaurant Equipment for your Startup Restaurant Venture

The Magic Million

Did you know that there are nearly one million restaurants in the United States alone, about 945,000 to be exact, according to the industry portal Restaurant.org? They all have one thing in common and it isn’t that they all serve food. That’s too obvious. They were all startups one day. Each one of them had to procure restaurant equipment to begin operations. If you are planning to become a restaurant owner or a restaurateur, as you will soon be called, welcome to the restaurant equipment procurement club. Once you have zeroed in on your location, chosen the type of cuisine you will serve, tweaked your marketing plan for the umpteenth time and hired your staff, its shopping time!

Wall-to-Wall Choices

There are more choices when it comes to buying restaurant equipment then there are when choosing vacation destinations. There are a number of factors to consider which is precisely our focus here with a few answers thrown in. If you are planning to operate as a restaurant franchise, many if not most of your choices will be pre-determined because franchising and standardization go hand in hand. Your choice and range of options will be much less bewildering. Your franchise company, in all probability, has entered into purchasing agreements with manufacturers usually at discounted wholesale prices. All you will have to do is to sign the check. However, if yours is an independent operation which a majority of restaurants around the world are, purchasing restaurant equipment is a challenge waiting in the wings.

To Buy or Not to Buy Used Restaurant Equipment

The only reason we don’t recommend that you invest in used restaurant equipment is that because you are in the service industry where value is delivered in real time, you don’t want to take any chances with equipment failure scenarios. New restaurant equipment does not have a track record of excessive use, misuse or abuse. Except in the rarest of circumstances, new equipment holds up very well. There is also a warranty in place to protect you during your start up period.  Imagine the challenge you would face if your commercial fryer broke down right in the middle of lunch hour rush during your first week of business.  That’s a situation you will avoid with new equipment.

Set a Realistic Budget

Starting a new restaurant is a capital-intensive affair. Depending on the type of operation, size and location you have selected, you can easily exceed the six-figure mark. You don’t have to go with premium restaurant equipment brands all the way.  However, when reviewing your equipment choices, you should consider factors such as manufacturer reputation, features, ease of use and reliability. Look for product reviews on the internet and use these reviews only as one of the contributing benchmarks. Industry groups such as the National Restaurant Association or your restaurant equipment dealer can also be resources for information. The choice of cuisine you will serve will also determine the type of equipment and accessories you will purchase so that will be one of your first decisions. For instance, if you are not opening a Chinese restaurant you won’t need to invest in a commercial wok, even though it may be a piece of restaurant equipment that you would like to own someday.  Commercial kitchen products such as refrigerators, ranges, mixers, grinders, fryers etc. are standard provisions.

How to buy Restaurant Equipment

First, expect to do a lot of research and exercise a bit of patience. You may have a local restaurant supply and equipment store in your area but their selection can be limited owing to space constraints.  Your best move is to go online and shop for restaurant equipment on the internet. Move up the learning curve by visiting at several websites to make an informed decision because what you buy will eventually determine not only the quality of the food you will be serving at your restaurant but also the level of service you can deliver to your patrons. You can also compare information on manufacturer’s websites to evaluate specific models and options.  Finally, a phone call to a national dealer or email through their website can help you confirm your decisions and give you the confidence needed to make your purchases.