Kitchen Equipment Your Restaurant Needs: The Ultimate Checklist

Launching a new restaurant kitchen is exciting and stressful at the same time. As a restaurant owner, you’ve got a lot to think about: regulatory compliance, hiring front and back of house staff, facility renovation and construction—the list goes on. 

One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is figuring out what equipment you need in your new commercial space. That’s why we created this convenient, comprehensive restaurant equipment checklist! So you can save time planning your commercial kitchen space, and focus on launching a successful food service business. 

For the most part, restaurant kitchen equipment fits into one of four categories:  

• Food storage
• Food preparation
• Cooking
• Maintenance & special equipment

Most restaurants will need equipment from all four categories to have a fully functional kitchen. However, that doesn’t mean you need to invest a lot of money in equipment up front. Some restaurant appliances, like commercial ice machines, can be rented, which saves your business a chunk of change in upfront expenses.

Note: If you’re interested in restaurant rental equipment, you can read our roundup of the pros and cons of leasing a commercial ice machine here.

Whether you’re looking to rent or buy commercial kitchen equipment, it’s crucial to the success of your business that you outfit your kitchen with only the right appliances. Without a definitive checklist of commercial kitchen equipment to base your decisions on, you can end up wasting time, kitchen space, and money on equipment you may never need.

The best way to use this guide is to check off the restaurant equipment you’ll need on the list. Once you’ve identified the essential restaurant appliances you’ll need, you’re ready to research specific equipment brands, models, and features. Keep your list handy—it’s a great place to make notes and write down specific requirements you have for your restaurant’s equipment. 

Researching equipment online is a great starting point, but remember that your local restaurant supply store or commercial equipment distributor is a valuable resource. They can guide you toward the best choice for your restaurant, and you’ll develop a solid relationship with a local restaurant equipment expert that will come in handy later when you need parts, maintenance, and repairs.