Opening a restaurant can be a lucrative business venture, but it requires a significant investment. The average cost of starting a business in the UK ranges from a few thousand pounds to a few million, depending on factors like the size and location of the restaurant.
You will have multiple startup costs to consider such as renting a premises, hiring catering staff, and paying for advertising. One of the main startup costs to plan for is kitchen equipment and food machinery. You will need to ensure that your back-of-house team has the tools and equipment they need to run a successful kitchen.
Here is some basic food machinery that you will need to kit out a small restaurant kitchen:
Table Top Machines
Table top vacuum packers are ideal for packing small products or for small quantities. A tabletop machine could be the solution if you run a small restaurant or manage another type of catering business like a cafe or a farm shop.
Vacuum packing food is a cost-effective way to store products and it will also lower carbon emissions by reducing the amount of plastic packaging waste. A vacuum packing machine seals food items in a secure plastic film package and then removes all of the air from the package. This process extends the shelf life of food products, particularly meat and dairy.
According to grutto, vacuum packing extends the shelf life of meat by around 3-5 times when compared to meat that is stored in standard packagings such as plastic containers or bags. Vacuum packaged meat will stay good for even longer if it has been frozen.
Bowl cutters
Bowl cutters (also known as bowl choppers) can be used to produce a large variety of food products including sausage mixture, burger mixture, ground meat, chopped vegetables, processed cheese, and more.
Bowl cutters come in various sizes and designs, from table top machines to large industrial solutions. Most small kitchens would benefit from investing in a table top bowl cutter. The machine will make it easier and quicker for your kitchen staff to complete various food prep and cooking tasks.
Slicing machine
Slicing machines are a great tool for cutting products like meat and cheese. Not every kitchen requires a commercial slicing machine, but it will definitely be useful if your kitchen serves items like sandwiches or grazing boards with cold meat cuts and sliced cheese.
A slicing machine will automate food slicing, saving your food prep team valuable time. Your kitchen team will have the tools to prepare sliced foods quickly while minimising waste. There is a wide range of slicing machines available including automatic or manual and light or heavyweight equipment. Do your research and choose a machine that meets the needs of your restaurant.
Electric mixer
You should invest in an electric mixer if you are planning on preparing baked goods like bread or cakes in your kitchen. An electric mixer can also come in handy when preparing other food items like sauces, soups, and desserts.
The best mixer for your restaurant will depend on the volume of food you’re planning to make and how often you will use the mixer. Check out this blog for tips on how to choose the right commercial mixer for your business.
Here are some of the different types of mixers to consider:
- Hand mixer - Hand mixers are ideal for mixing or blending small quantities.
- Floor mixer - Floor mixers have a high capacity and are ideal for mixing large quantities of food in a small amount of time.
- Tabletop mixer - Tabletop mixers are often the preferred choice in small kitchens as they can handle a decent amount of input and don’t take up much space.
Burger making machine
If you plan on serving burgers, then a burger making machine is a great investment for your business. A burger making machine will allow you to prepare fresh hand-made burgers quickly and efficiently. Most machines can produce a wide variety of burger patties in different sizes and shapes and have a large capacity.
What next?
Launching a restaurant business is not cheap and startup costs can add up quickly. Kitchen equipment is one of the biggest startup expenses that you will need to plan for when starting a restaurant business. Food machinery is designed to improve the efficiency of cooking tasks, reduce labour time, and extend the shelf-life of food.
Above, are examples of food machinery that most small kitchens will need. These tools will ensure that your kitchen team runs smoothly and efficiently. Research what food machinery is required in your business and budget for these items accordingly.