When you’re looking for restaurant equipment to buy, it’s likely that you will have a budget in mind. Many people opt to buy or even lease equipment that they know will work well and won’t harm their bank account. However, this is often easier said than done.
When it comes to buying the right restaurant equipment you might need to choose between those items that you need and those that you want. This can be a difficult choice in itself. However, this article will help you choose the right restaurant equipment for you.
How to Work out What you Need
One of the first things you need to do is to look at your restaurant’s menu. What type of food will you be offering and how large are your portion sizes? When you know what is on the menu you’ll know if you’ll need a deck oven, food processors, fryers, and more.
– Create a spreadsheet
A great way to work out what equipment you’ll need is to create a spreadsheet. In the spreadsheet, list everything that’s on your menu. Then, list all of the equipment you’ll need to cook those items. Make sure you consider the utensils, the ovens, measuring cups, a refrigerator, and so on.
The next step is for you to alphabetize the list of equipment and remove any duplications. Of course, there might be times when you need to use more than one skillet, for example, but you might not need ten of them. Once you have done this you will have a list of all the restaurant equipment you’ll need in your kitchen. Now it’s time to make another spreadsheet for those front of house items and the bar.
Do you Buy New or Used Equipment?
While it would be nice if you could afford to buy brand new equipment, it’s worth considering purchasing equipment that’s already been used. Doing so can help to save you quite a bit of money now and in the long-run. In some cases, used equipment could be just as good as its newer counterpart.
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of buying used equipment:
– Advantages
Used equipment can cost a lot less than you think. If you opt to buy some equipment from an independent seller you could get some items for free or find that there’s more room to negotiate.
Another advantage is that you can usually find restaurant equipment that hasn’t been used too often. Many eateries only last a few years before they have to close. This means you could get a nearly new oven, for example, for a lot less. However, you should make sure that they come with a certificate to show they are safe to use.
Finally, some warranties might still apply. This means that if something should go wrong with the equipment the manufacturer is responsible for paying for the repairs
– Disadvantages
One of the disadvantages of buying used equipment is if it’s out of warranty you’ll have to pay for the repairs.
Another disadvantage is that it can be hard to find good quality kitchen items. This means you might have to settle for something a little less than perfect if you don’t want to pay a high price.
Read Also: What It Means to Run A Successful Restaurant
Have you Considered Leasing the Equipment?
If you don’t want to buy your own restaurant equipment you could consider leasing it. You will have the oven, for example, for a specific amount of time while you make payments for it. Leasing can be ideal if you don’t want to pay out a lot of money in one go. In addition to this, your payments are likely to begin when you start to make money.
When you lease equipment you can set money aside for starting up your business. This can prove to be vital during your business’s early days.
Did you know that if your leased equipment was to break down you will not have to pay for repairs? This means you can save the money or spend it on something else that your restaurant needs. While many people are slightly afraid of leasing restaurant equipment, it works in almost the same way as leasing a car.
Finding the right restaurant equipment need not be as daunting as it seems. When you know what you need and how you’re going to pay for the equipment you’ll find the whole process is so much easier. Consider whether you want new or used equipment, work our whether it would be better to lease it, and don’t forget to make a list of everything you need.
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