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.
