It can be tempting to immediately decide that you’re going to purchase all items brand new, and it can be exciting to want to walk through the store and get your items right there, but you should consider all your options first. Although buying all your restaurant equipment new may seem like the only option, buying used restaurant equipment is an option that isn’t considered as often as it should be.
When you first start making lists of the restaurant equipment that you need, things can add up when you’re thinking about the fridges, dishwashers, ovens, freezers, and more. When it comes to buying used equipment instead of brand new equipment for your restaurant, it can save you money, which is often exactly what you need when you’re first starting your business. However, there are also benefits to buying new equipment, so it can be difficult to know which to choose, and first-time owners want to make sure that they explore all their options.
If you’re in this position and wondering whether you should purchase used or new equipment, this article can help you. Here we’ll look at all the pros and cons of used restaurant equipment versus new equipment.
There are many benefits to buying new restaurant equipment and reasons why you may want to consider it for your business. The biggest advantage of buying new restaurant equipment when you start your business is obvious; it’s new.
When you buy things new, you’re guaranteed that they’ll work exactly as they should, which is critical for a well-operating restaurant. Most of the time, there will also be a warranty that comes with purchasing new equipment so that, if for any reason, the equipment doesn’t operate as it should, you can get your money back. Buying new equipment will mean that it’s free from defects and that it will be fully operational from the point of when you get it.
In many cases, when you buy new equipment, it will have a longer equipment lifespan, and in the long run, it’ll last you longer. When you’re first starting with a restaurant, the last thing that you want is equipment breaking down or there being risks of it failing. With equipment that’s bought brand new, there are fewer chances that it will need any repairs at all within the first few years of use. Although this is true, you still want to make sure that you establish a relationship with a trusted repair company that you can depend on if anything does go wrong.
Although there are many advantages to purchasing new equipment, there are also some cons that you want to keep in mind before you make your decision. The biggest, and perhaps the most obvious, disadvantage is that it can be a huge financial burden for your business if you decide to purchase new equipment. This is usually the reason why restaurants think about buying used. Instead, since when they get started with deciding what they need, it usually shrinks their budget. At this point, you want to see if it’s worth the financial investment to purchase new equipment or if you want to go with used restaurant equipment.
Determine the total cost of ownership, everything from how much the new appliances cost to how much the maintenance is. Once you have this information, you can decide if it’s worth the investment that you will be making. It’s also important to remember that you’ll be paying higher initial upfront costs and, in many cases, this equipment will be only slightly newer than the used equipment you can get. You want to decide if it’s worth the money that you’re going to pay and if you can afford it at the time for your restaurant.
Now that we’ve talked about why new equipment is a good choice for your restaurant, we should also take a look at why you may want to consider used equipment for your business. The same as with new equipment, there are many benefits to opting to purchase used equipment. There are many advantages to buying used equipment for your restaurant and many reasons why you might want to think about it before you opt to buy your restaurant equipment brand new.
The biggest advantage, and the most obvious, is that you’ll save money when you buy used equipment. Since new equipment can be very expensive, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that used equipment is considerably less. Many times you’ll be able to find equipment that is almost as good or even as good as the new equipment that you would have bought. It may be a little more work, but you’ll be surprised to find that you can save a lot when you opt to buy used instead, and save money when you’re just starting your business.
Many people have the idea that when they buy used equipment it’ll come damaged, but you want to keep in mind that like new equipment does exist if you’re willing to look for it. You might be able to find equipment that has only been used slightly and still looks new and works fine. It’ll be just like new, only less expensive and having been used previously. If you’re environmentally friendly, it’s also something to consider that you’ll be choosing an option that encourages less waste by buying used.
Even though there are many benefits to buying used equipment for your restaurant, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some disadvantages to buying your equipment used. One of the biggest disadvantages of buying used equipment is that most restaurant equipment is sold “as is”. However, occasionally preview days are offered. Some liquidation services, such as restaurantequipment.bid, will liquidate used restaurant equipment that comes directly from operating locations.
If you find out that the equipment doesn't work with your kitchen or that you want to return it for any reason, you may not be able to. When you buy used equipment, there’s always the chance that the appliance could be near the end of its lifespan. You’re taking a risk with how long it’ll last and if it’ll have any major maintenance issues.
There’s also the problem that you’ll likely be purchasing older equipment that is considered outdated. When you’re running a restaurant, you want to offer your customers the best possible results, and if you have outdated appliances, you may not be able to give them the best results. Then, perhaps the most obvious worry when you’re buying a used appliance is that the condition of the equipment is unknown. By deciding to buy used, you could very well just be taking on someone else’s issue and the appliance is below standard.
This is why we always recommend bringing a qualified professional with you when you’re looking at used equipment to look it over and make sure that it’s fully inspected. They’ll inspect it to make sure that everything looks good and to help you determine if it’s a good investment. This way, you’ll be sure that what you’re buying is in good condition and that it’ll last you for years to come.
At the end of the day, the decision of whether to buy new or used equipment depends on your business and your needs. There are pros and cons to both options, and it depends on your financial situation and what you need when you’re first starting. If you’re deciding between the two, the best thing that you can do is to make a list of necessary equipment for your restaurant and estimate how much it will cost.
You also need to look at your budget and decide if it’s worth it to spend the money on brand new equipment when you’re first starting your business. There’s a big difference between buying used and new equipment, so make sure that you do your research, get the advice of professionals, and have a thorough list of what you need before you make your decision. It’s entirely up to you, and it specifically depends on your business needs and your financial situation at the time.
]]>If you’re one of these entrepreneurs that has a dream of opening their own restaurant then there’s a good chance you’ve already been planning how to make this dream a reality and are trying to figure out how you can take the next step then the article is the right place. It can be overwhelming when you sit down and start making plans and it can easily get more complicated than you could’ve anticipated.
One of the first things that any potential restaurant owner does is make a list of what equipment they need to get started. There’s essential restaurant equipment that’s needed to open a restaurant and if you don’t have these installed when you first open the restaurant then you won’t be able to create and deliver high-quality results.
When you start to calculate the costs for this equipment alone, without even thinking about the building or hiring staff, things start to get pretty expensive quickly. Once you start thinking about a budget it’s quick to tell that opening a restaurant is not easy or cheap at all.
However, there’s no need to worry because although things may be expensive, there are ways that you can cut down on the cost and make it more budget-friendly. In this article, we’ll talk about restaurant equipment for sale, starting a restaurant, used restaurant equipment for sale, and how to start a restaurant.
We’ll talk about not only what equipment you need when starting a restaurant but where you can get it and how you can get started.
To start with, you must know what type of equipment you need before you even start buying anything. Knowing what equipment you need and making sure that you have it and can buy it is the start to opening any restaurant. It’s more complicated than merely knowing that you need an oven, you need to do research on the best ovens possible and how you can install it in your building.
Having efficient equipment is critical to saving money and getting the best possible results for your restaurant. When you’re thinking about the restaurant equipment that you need it can be broken down into just a few areas that you want to focus on.
You’re already familiar with the kitchen equipment that you find in your own home, but when you’re opening a restaurant you’re going to need specific restaurant-grade kitchen equipment. It won’t work to merely look at what you have in your own home and copy that, instead you’ll need to make sure that you have a variety of equipment that will work in your kitchen and give the best results. When you start, you don’t need the very best there is and you don’t have to worry about getting huge quantities of everything.
Start with the necessities that you can’t do without and then you can build on them as your restaurant grows. But you want to be sure that you’re including the basics and what you absolutely cannot do without.
Here’s our list of the kitchen equipment that you can’t do without when you first open your own restaurant.
Perhaps the most obvious thing at the top of our list is the ovens. The oven is the most important piece of equipment in your kitchen and the first thing that you need to purchase before you even move into your restaurant.
When it comes to what type of oven you need it’ll depend on a few different factors, especially the type of restaurant that you own and what food you’re serving. There’s a variety of options when it comes to ovens and you want to make sure that you’re not only getting the correct one but you’re also getting the best one for your money.
Don’t rush the process of choosing ovens for your kitchen, even if it starts to feel like it’s taking a while. It can be tedious but if you take the proper amount of time in the beginning then it’ll save you from errors later on. You want to make sure that you’re getting high-quality ovens and ones that will last. Make sure that you think about the size and quality before you make any purchase decisions.
Do the proper measurements for your commercial kitchen so that you know exactly how much space you have to work with and look at the quality to make sure that the ovens will last for years and through a lot of use.
Having the proper prep tables, cutting surfaces and food prep counters is critical for any kitchen and something that you need to focus on. Your staff is going to be using these pieces of equipment constantly and for a long time so you want to make sure that you get the right things. In a kitchen, you’re going to be doing a lot of cutting, chopping, and other prep work and you want to make sure that the equipment is versatile and will withstand the test of time.
When you’re thinking about prep counters, usually you’ll want to settle on stainless steel. This is because stainless steel counters won’t absorb bacteria and they’ll stay in good condition regardless of the constant cleaning and use. Instead of using wooden cutting boards, opt to use plastic ones to lessen the bacteria on them. The key is that you get high-quality equipment since these are things that your staff will be using every time that they’re in the kitchen.
The food in your kitchen needs to be kept fresh and that means you want to invest in quality refrigerators and freezers for your restaurant. When you’re thinking about this the first thing you want to do is examine the sizing of your kitchen and see exactly how much space you have for equipment. The best option is usually installing a walk-in cooler, but there’s not always enough space in a commercial kitchen for that.
Think if you have enough space for a walk-in cooler and if you have enough food for it to be a necessity. Reach-in refrigerators are always a good idea as well. Make sure that you do your research on these since it’s critical for ensuring the quality and freshness of your food. Making sure that this is right at the top of your priority list and doing your research in the beginning will benefit both you and your restaurant in the end.
In any kitchen, you need to make sure that you have the proper storage and shelving racks for drying and storing equipment. This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s not something you’ll want to have to replace so you want to put serious thought into it the first time.
Your storage racks and shelving need to be durable and strong so that they’ll hold up well and so that you don’t have to replace them. However, when it comes to the material and what options you choose you can be a little more relaxed with what material you choose. Depending on your budget and what’s important to you with storage then you can choose specific equipment.
If you’re working on a budget then you can always start by buying used restaurant equipment for your kitchen. It’ll save you a significant amount of money on the bigger purchases and it can even make the process easier. If you’re interested in starting a restaurant but are working on a tight budget, buying used equipment can be the solution you’ve been looking for. When most entrepreneurs hear about buying used restaurant equipment their first question is where they can buy it.
If you’re thinking about purchasing used restaurant equipment and are wondering how you can get started then here is a list of where you can buy used restaurant equipment.
You might not think so at first, but online stores can be one of the best places where you can find used restaurant equipment. There are online stores that offer used equipment and they’re easy to use if you know what you’re looking for.
When you go into a physical store and are looking for a specific piece of restaurant equipment you’ll spend a lot of time trying to find the exact model. Typically with online stores, you’ll just be able to simply look for the specific model whether it’s with certain dimensions or a brand, and purchase it online.
There’s always the option of using auctions to buy restaurant equipment. Auctions are where restaurants that have gone out of business will often put up their used equipment that they don’t need anymore for consignment.
This is one of the best ways that you can get matching and high-end equipment that will still be in fairly good shape. You can go to in-person auctions or you can even have the ease of online auctions. This can be a great source for getting equipment and supplies at a good price.
Of course, you can opt to go the traditional route and simply go to a brick-and-mortar store to find the restaurant equipment that you need. There are commercial kitchen equipment stores that have a selection of items available including used equipment.
If you’re looking for great deals on restaurant supplies, be sure to check out our dynamic, online store.
]]>A lot of people might think that this time isn’t the best for restaurant owners. However, there are other ways to keep food businesses afloat. One example is by making the most of surplus restaurant supplies.
Surplus restaurant supplies refer to overstocked or second-generation equipment and tools. Usually, these supplies are sold by food businesses that have too much of the supplies or are no longer in operation. It’s an ideal option for these restaurants to regain a bit of the capital that they spent on the equipment. It also allows them to help other restaurateurs.
Here at RestaurantEquipment.Shop, we serve as a marketplace for close-out restaurant and food-related supplies. Whether you’re looking for glassware, kitchen equipment, or furniture for your restaurant, or are planning to open a food business, we’re your best bet for cutting back on expenses.
Surplus restaurant supplies are disrupting the food industry because they offer business owners more bang for their buck. These are some of the reasons overstocked or second-generation equipment and tools can help restaurants save money.
The primary benefit of these supplies is that they cost significantly less than their brand-new counterparts. On average, every piece of equipment or tool featured on our website is priced at 40% below the retail price. This means more savings for new and current restaurant owners, which can be used to purchase more equipment or for other revenue-generating projects.
You can liken buying restaurant equipment to purchasing a car. Once you’ve driven your brand-new vehicle out of the dealership, its value drops right away. The same thing happens to new restaurant equipment. Use them even once and they depreciate in a snap.
Although the value of second-generation or surplus restaurant supplies still depreciates, you won’t feel the immense impact since the equipment has already changed hands at least a couple of times. You don’t feel the loss because you’re not the original purchaser. As a result, you’re getting more value for your money.
Buying second-hand items is also more eco-friendly. Imagine dumping chunky restaurant equipment in landfills. It won’t be a pretty sight. Not only are you giving new life to second-generation and surplus restaurant supplies but you’re also taking care of the environment by recycling and reusing them.
Another key benefit of surplus supplies is that you can solve your urgent operational demands right away. With the ongoing pandemic, businesses have battled with problems in the equipment-manufacturer supply chain, which entailed delays in the shipment of some components.
If these parts are crucial to your daily tasks, such as fryer and refrigeration components, you should find them as soon as possible to avoid delays and, in turn, profit losses. You may be able to stumble upon the parts that you need on our marketplace and get your equipment to work immediately.
You can deduct used or surplus restaurant equipment from your taxes, too, which means even more savings. They qualify under the Section 179 deduction, which enables businesses to deduct the full purchase price of equipment. The deductions are applicable in their current tax year, which can help you immensely even though Omicron continues to rage.
As with any other purchase, you should have a set of criteria for your supplies. Safety is a top priority since the tools and supplies might be used to handle food directly. Here are other factors to consider when purchasing surplus restaurant supplies:
Just like shopping for clothes and other items, you shouldn’t buy restaurant equipment just because it’s on sale. You have to make sure that your business actually needs it and the tool would be a valuable part of your inventory.
Create a priority list of the equipment that your restaurant needs so that you can purchase them once you see them on our site. This way, you can ensure a return on your investment.
Check the history of the equipment. Will you be the second owner, or has it been passed down from a lot of different owners? You don’t want to purchase a tool that only has a short lifespan left. Determine how many years it has served its previous owners so that you can assess if it’s worth buying or not.
Another way to evaluate the lifespan of kitchen equipment is by asking whether it was serviced regularly. If it was maintained properly, it’s highly likely that the device is still in pristine condition.
Moreover, check if it still has a warranty. Sometimes, there are equipment and supplies that still have a brand warranty, so you won’t have to worry about repairs and maintenance.
You may also want to opt for branded equipment. Most of the time, these manufacturers have gained a reputation for being the best in the industry. Don’t sacrifice quality for the price. Imagine buying non-branded equipment that breaks down after a month. You have to shell out money again to replace it. This can put a large dent in your monthly budget.
Another advantage of buying branded equipment is that their parts are readily available if you need them. Sometimes, people sell kitchen equipment for very low prices without telling you how challenging it is to repair. If the components are difficult to find, you may have to spend more on them, which voids the deal that you got when you bought it.
You should also remember to check the energy certification of the equipment that you plan on buying. This rating shows whether the device uses energy efficiently, which has a direct effect on your utility bills. You want a tool that won’t add too much to your restaurant’s energy consumption.
Before you purchase surplus restaurant supplies, make sure to follow these tips:
Always do your research before buying equipment or tools for your restaurant. Again, you want to make sure that you’re getting a good deal and will be enjoying a high return on the money that you’ll be spending.
Don’t be afraid to ask your questions and raise your concerns about the item. You don’t want to end up spending more on repairing or, worse, replacing a piece of equipment that you bought for a very low price that had damages you didn’t know about.
Make sure to find reputable dealers and online stores. Visit their websites to look for certifications and licenses to prove their legitimacy. Reviews on their domain and third-party sites can also help you determine if they’re credible.
RestaurantEquipment.Shop has been around for decades. We started on eBay and also helped move food service equipment in and out of restaurants and supermarkets. Since then, our business has expanded to offering surplus, clearance, and used restaurant and food service equipment, smallwares, and disposables.
Gas ranges, ovens, tableware, fryers, refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, and other small appliances can all be bought used since they usually have a long lifespan.
Surplus restaurant supplies are equipment and tools that are overstocked or no longer being used. They can help food business owners save on operating costs because purchasing them entails lower prices than brand-new equipment.
If you’re thinking about buying surplus supplies, check out our marketplace for items that will be useful for your restaurant.
]]>Giordano's, which set up shop downtown less than two years ago to sell its Chicago-style affront to pizzas everywhere, has closed.
The windows at its 1224 Randolph location were covered in paper and a metal security door had replaced Giordano's front entrance as of July 1, but it's unclear when the Detroit outpost of the Illinois-based national chain had officially called it quits.
The latest review of the restaurant on Yelp, where it garnered a lukewarm three stars, was posted on June 26. A representative from the company replied to a previous comment on June 25.
Calls to the location Monday resulted in a long hold set to island-swept acoustic music featuring the bongos, but no human to speak with. A voice mail was left after the tone.
At press time, Giordano's list of locations on its website no longer included Detroit. The Holland location was listed as the only remaining Michigan store among dozens of other locations in eight other states.
Former "Daily Show" host and lifelong New Yorker Jon Stewart famously exposed the Windy City's take on his beloved 'za in an epic on-air rant a few years back, though Detroiters already know better.
In addition to being on hostile territory, Giordano's was located around the corner from homegrown marinara-pie slinger Pizza Papalis, which remains a popular option for local traitors.
A separate emailed request for comment to a Giordano's representative was not immediately returned.
Giordano's is the latest in a spate of recent restaurant closures, including the short-lived Izakaya Katsu in Woodbridge and Cameron's Steakhouse in Birmingham.
Article Written by Mark Kurlyandchik of Detroit Free Press https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/mark-kurlyandchik/2019/07/01/chicago-style-pizza-shop-giordanos-shutters-downtown-detroit-location/1621403001/
Photo Courtesy of Detroit Free Press
]]>Among the eight restaurants closed were units in Indianapolis and Tucker, Ga., near Atlanta, according to local media reports.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 200 census, the chain had previously closed 12 restaurants between 2016 and 2018. A company spokesperson on Monday confirmed the most eight weekend closures but did not provide a reason for shuttering the locations.
These were not the first closures for the chain in 2019. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the brand closed a central Florida location in mid-April.
“The restaurant came to Orlando in 2005 and at the time there were plans to open as many as 100 O’Charley’s in Florida,” the article said.
O’Charley’s is owned by Nashville-based American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Cannae Holdings Inc. American Blue Ribbon also owns the Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, Village Inn and Bakers Square brands.
O’Charley’s reported systemwide sales of $469.2 million in fiscal 2018, down from $498.1 million in the prior year, according to NRN’s Top 200 census. In 2018, the brand had 201 units, down from 213 in 2016.
Article Written by Nancy Luna of Nation's Restaurant News https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/o-charley-s-shutters-8-restaurants-one-day
Photo Courtesy of Nation's Restaurant News
]]>When Artista opened in August 2018, the marketplace offered products like cheese, wine, beer, coffee, tea, etc. whereas the restaurant aspect operated under the “everything but the kitchen sink” method: there were Italian small plates, tacos, sandwiches, crepes, cannolis, etc., etc. Co-owner Mohit Mehra and chef Jennifer Coffman opened another restaurant within Lamar Union in February: the Connection Pizza + Bar, in the former Vox Table space, which remains open. (1100 South Lamar Boulevard)
DOWNTOWN — After the death of Moonfire Lounge owner Ian R. Weightman on June 17, the downtown cocktail bar closed several days later. Because the passing and shutter were sudden, there is a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for the now-unemployed bar staff. (310 Colorado Street)
ALLANDALE — Gluten-free chicken and waffle restaurant Wild Chix & Waffles is still closed as of late April. The reason for the seemingly temporary shutter is because the restaurant wanted “to improve the quality of our menu,” as noted in its last Facebook post on April 29. According to Yelp, it is aiming to reopen in December.
This isn’t the first time the Burnet Road restaurant closed for changes. It was originally known as coffee shop and waffle bar the Factory when it opened in October 2016. It added the Wild Chix aspect to the Factory space in October 2017. The Factory portion was completely nixed in September 2018, and then Wild Chix temporarily closed in mid-November 2018 in order to become a completely gluten-free restaurant in December 2018. (7714 Burnet Road)
Article Written by Nadia Chaudhury of Eater Austin https://austin.eater.com/2019/7/2/20679151/austin-restaurants-closed-artista-rosso-moonfire-lounge-wild-chix
Photo Courtesy of Eater Austin
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