Ways to save on restaurant equipment purchases

Restaurant equipment is really expensive! As a restaurant owner, you can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars on restaurant equipment, just for an average kitchen. But, do you really need to spend that kind of money?

There are lots of ways you can save big dollars on your restaurant equipment.

  1. You don't have to buy everything brand new

You can buy tons of used restaurant equipment and the quality will still be very good! Most restaurant equipment is designed to be durable. Lots of restaurant owners get upgraded equipment before they need to, and end up having perfectly fine used equipment that isn't being used. You can find lots of restaurant owners advertising their used equipment online. If you decide to go that route and buy some used equipment, make sure you go look at it before you buy it. You need to make sure its quality is still good, and some isn't ripping you off. Most of the time, though, owners are honest and are going to sell you good equipment.

  1. However, some things do need to be new

Some types of restaurant equipment do need to be new. If you buy all used equipment, you probably aren't saving money in the long run, because you will need to buy new equipment sooner than later. Depending on how "used" the used equipment you buy is, you might have to go shopping within five years, which is too soon. You shouldn't need to upgrade any kitchen equipment under five years or so unless something breaks in an accident. So, the items that are bought new, will actually save you time and money in the long run.

  1. Look for sales

There are restaurant equipment sales all the time! It just might be hard to scope them out. Check the ads at your local restaurant equipment store, and take notice if they're having a sale. Stores usually have big sales around holidays, like memorial day or the 4th of July, so make sure you go to stores around those times. Also, look online and see if you can find any sales that way. You might find a sale at a faraway store, and maybe you can order some equipment from them online, and save yourself some money.

  1. Buy equipment that is more cost-efficient

It's important to think about what equipment can do for you before you buy it. For example, if you need a lot of refrigerator space in your kitchen, plan from the get-go that you will need a buy a large fridge. Don't buy several small refrigerators that will just sit next to each other in the back of your kitchen. You will save money buying one big one versus buying several smaller ones, and you will save time by planning ahead.

  1. Only buy what you truly need

Lots of times, our eyes get a little bigger than our budgets. Think about what you truly need in your kitchen, and just buy that equipment, for now. Eventually, as your restaurant grows, you can buy more. If you're trying to save money right now, it's very important to stay focused and make a list of what your kitchen can't live without. You will be surprised at how well you can manage with just the basics.

There are just a few ways you can save on restaurant equipment! You will be shocked at how much money you can save just by following these few tips. Owning a restaurant can be very costly, but if you can save big on equipment, the less money stress you will have, and your business will thrive.

Save even more by joining us for our weekly restaurant equipment auction! If you see something you like, bid on it and it can be yours! We also have online auctions that you can join. Check it out today!