Restaurant Equipment Cost: 6 Things to Plan For

Opening a restaurant is no small feat; it’s an endeavor that comes with specific considerations and challenges exclusive to the food service industry—one of them being the high startup costs. You can’t run a restaurant without the right equipment, and this expense alone can make restaurants very expensive businesses to start.
Restaurant equipment is a broad term encompassing appliances: ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, pots, pans, and utensils, and software like your point of sale system.
Your overall restaurant kitchen equipment cost will depend on several factors, the most important being what kind of restaurant you plan on running. A quick service burger restaurant will require different equipment than a fine dining establishment. Restaurants that serve a specific type of food, like a pizza place, coffee shop, or ice cream parlor, will require specialized equipment. The size of your restaurant will play a role as well. If you are doing a high-volume business, you may need larger, or multiple items.

Restaurant Equipment Basics

Here are 6 restaurant equipment costs every potential restaurant owner should plan for when budgeting for a restaurant.
1. Cooking Equipment
Ranges, ovens, grills, flattops, and/or fryers are fundamental to your business. The cost of these items varies widely based on size, capacity, and brand. According to restaurant supply companies, commercial ranges and ovens can cost between $1,500 and $10,000; grills and griddles between $1,000 and $8000; fryers between $500 and $3000.
2. Refrigerators and Freezers
Commercial refrigerators, freezers, and walk-in units are pivotal investments. Refrigeration units can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, while walk-in units can cost as much as $30,000. Freezers will run you between $1,500 and $8,000.
3. Food Preparation Equipment
The prices of small appliances like food processors, mixers, and slicers can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

4. Dishwashing Equipment
The cost of a commercial dishwashers can be as high as $20,000. You’ll also need dish tables and racks.

5. Smallwares

Smallwares is a restaurant industry term that describes everything from the pots, pans, and utensils needed in the kitchen, to the glasses, dishes, and cutlery used in the dining room. While the individual items aren’t expensive, the collective investment can be substantial. You will also need to account for replacement costs due to wear and tear and breakage.

6. Software
Tools like a point of sale system, kitchen display system, and employee management system will help your business run more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.

Ways to Save Money on Restaurant Equipment

One way to lower your restaurant equipment cost is to buy used. But be careful. While a barely used stove from a restaurant that went out of business may be a good deal, you need to be careful you aren’t buying an item that is near the end of its lifespan.
But one way to save money in the long run is to spend it up front. Well-known brands often come at a premium but offer reliable performance and durability, so it won’t need to be repaired, or replaced as often.
Buying a franchise, instead of starting your own business, can also help you save on restaurant equipment costs. When you opt for a franchise, aspects like equipment needs and costs are often delineated clearly in the initial investment, providing a clearer financial picture from the onset. This is especially helpful if you are new to the restaurant industry and aren’t sure which equipment to buy.

How The Toasted Yolk Café Equips its Franchisees

At The Toasted Yolk Café, our priority is serving high quality food in a timely manner. In order to do that, our restaurants have a supersized kitchen to allow for quick preparation of orders. Our hot line measures about 30 feet, with a matching cold line and separate prep area. We provide our franchisees with complete equipment lists with exact specifications as well as pre-approved suppliers. That way, new franchisees can be sure they are getting all the right equipment at the best price. Of the total franchise cost, our franchisees should expect furniture, fixture, and equipment costs to run them between $250,000 and $300,000.

Contact The Toasted Yolk Café Today

If you are ready to start your culinary journey as a Toasted Yolk franchisee, contact us today. We’ll explain not only our restaurant kitchen equipment costs, but the full initial investment including franchise fees, so you understand your financial obligations, and start on the path to making your restaurant ownership dreams come true.