Quick service restaurants (QSRs) rely on a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment to prepare and serve food quickly and efficiently.
From grills and fryers to refrigerators and mixers, each piece of equipment plays an important role in the kitchen. And good quality, commercial-grade equipment, although it comes with a bigger upfront cost, will last longer to offer better value in the long run.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the most essential commercial kitchen equipment for QSRs, and explain why each one is necessary for the success of the restaurant.
9 essential pieces of commercial kitchen equipment
If one of these pieces of restaurant kitchen equipment were to break down mid-service, you have a big problem on your hands. That’s why it’s important to think about the quality and durability of your commercial kitchen equipment, as well as the cost.
Here are nine of the most common pieces of kit a QSR relies on:
1. Grill
A grill is one of the most essential pieces of equipment in any QSR kitchen. Whether you’re serving burgers, sandwiches or chicken, a grill is necessary for cooking and charring food quickly and evenly.
2. Fryers
A fryer is another important piece of equipment for QSRs. Whether you’re serving fries, onion rings, or fried chicken, a fryer is essential for cooking food quickly and efficiently.
3. Refrigeration
Keeping food fresh and at the proper temperature is crucial for any restaurant. That’s why commercial refrigeration equipment is an essential part of any QSR kitchen. Walk-in coolers, reach-in refrigerators, and prep tables are all important for storing and preparing food.
4. Mixer
A mixer is another essential piece of equipment for any QSR kitchen. Whether you’re making dough, batter, or sauces, a mixer is necessary for combining ingredients quickly and evenly.
5. Convection oven
In the QSR kitchen, a commercial convection oven is a versatile piece of equipment that allows you to roast, bake, broil and dehydrate food. The convection oven can cook food faster and more evenly than a traditional oven, which is a huge plus for a busy QSR kitchen.
6. Prep tables
Prep tables are essential for QSRs because they provide a large surface area for chopping, mixing and preparing ingredients. They also keep food at the proper temperature and have built-in refrigeration.
7. Dishwasher
In a quick service restaurant, speed is key, and one of the best ways to speed up the cleaning process is to have a commercial-grade dishwasher. These machines are specifically designed to handle large volumes of pots and utensils and can clean them quickly and effectively.
In addition, the high temperatures inside a dishwasher means it also sanitises your equipment to reduce the risk of a food safety incident.
8. POS system
Point of sale systems have become a vital part of quick service restaurant. It can help in tracking orders, payments and kitchen management. With these systems in place, orders can be taken automatically and then displayed directly to different parts of the kitchen.
10. Food storage equipment
In a quick service restaurant, food storage plays a crucial role in keeping the kitchen organised and hygienic. A variety of food storage containers, shelving and racks can help in keeping the food safe and easily accessible.
Quality commercial kitchen equipment will pay for itself in durability and efficiency
These are some of the most essential pieces of commercial kitchen equipment for QSRs. By investing in proper equipment, quick service restaurants can improve their efficiency, speed up service times and provide customers with consistently high-quality food.
However, the equipment you choose to invest in ultimately depends on the type of food you serve and the specific needs of your restaurant. It’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of your kitchen’s operations before investing in new equipment.