The excitement of planning a new food catering business can tempt you to buy items that are not the best for your exact needs. So, before you start buying catering equipment, save yourself time and cash by keeping a few helpful tips in mind.
Prepare a business plan.
Define your goals and budget scope, and create a strategy to keep them aligned. You can avoid overspending by striking a balance between your needs and your resources, and finding a way to boost your business’ efficiency and profitability.
Never skip homework.
This will be a substantial investment and you can’t rely on substandard equipment just to save a few bucks. Quality equipment, while not always cheap,will work better, last longer and produce the best results.
Know what specific equipment or type of equipment you need.
What you serve will, of course, affect your choices. Do you need any specialty catering equipment or just the usual? Can you buy a certain piece of multi-function equipment that offers savings as opposed to buying several items separately? Are you thinking of buying commercial stainless steel benches that is easy to use and maintain?
Consider your kitchen layout.
Among the first steps you should take prior to purchasing catering equipment is the physical design or layout of your kitchen. Your new equipment should blend in perfectly with the rest of the area - for instance, it should not cause traffic issues and be strategically positioned for utility connections (gas, water, electricity, etc.). It is absolutely necessary to take measurements to avoid having to return an item and get it replaced. Be sure to see page here!
Address any health and safety concerns.
Know what regulations are in place and applicable and comply. Catering kitchens are legally required to use commercial grade equipment so they can handle large workloads without posing safety issues for workers and patrons. Be sure to watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3qfnoP9vqw for more info about catering.
Ask about warranties.
Will they give you an extended warranty or just standard warranty? What are the maintenance needs of the equipment and what conditions can void the warranty? What is the warranty’s exact coverage?
Invest in equipment that has a high energy rating.
If you buy appliances with higher star ratings, your utility bills will surely drop. Seek pro advice and buy only from a vendor who has a reputation for selling quality products and offering quality customer service.
A catering business typically requires huge initial costs, and some business owners consider buying pre-owned secondhand appliances as a way to save money. However, this can lead to costly issues early into the business, problems that investing in brand new, high-quality equipment could have prevented from the start. On the other hand, when you go brand new, your investment can last much longer and repair and maintenance costs will even be much lower in the long term.
