Your Go-to Guide to Equip Your Restaurant Kitchen

Katie Fleming

Katie Fleming

Co-founder and COO of Owner Actions

A variety of utensils and equipment are shown in a restaurant kitchen

When you’re starting a restaurant, you’ll need to set up your kitchen with tools and equipment so your team can be fast, efficient, and effective at creating delicious meals. Sometimes, hundreds of items are needed to make this happen. So where should you start when you’re ready to equip your restaurant kitchen? We’re glad you asked.

In this guide, you’ll find some of the most common items restaurant owners need when equipping their kitchens. This list won’t be all-inclusive. You may find that you need some specialized tools that we don’t list here. With that in mind, use this list as a solid foundation, and add in the items you know you’ll need to be ready for your opening day.

A row of open ovens

Cooking machinery

  • Gas or electric ranges
  • Ovens
  • Grills
  • Griddles
  • Deep fryers
  • Broilers or salamanders
  • Holding/warming cabinets
  • Toasters
  • Coffee machine
  • Microwaves
An empty walk-in cooler

Refrigeration machinery

  • Walk-in cooler
  • Reach-in and prep refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Ice machines
  • Beverage dispensers
Kitchen knives lay on a board

Food prep equipment

  • Food processors
  • Mixers
  • Blenders
  • Spice grinders
  • Graters
  • Zesters
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cutting boards
  • Chef knives
  • Kitchen spoons
  • Portioning tools
  • Prep tables
Two stacked frying pans lay on a table

Cookware

  • Stockpots
  • Double boilers
  • Pasta cooker pots
  • Sauce pots and pans
  • Saute pans
  • Braising pans
  • Frying pans
  • Food pans
  • Whisks
  • Tongs
  • Turners
Plastic containers of pasta are arranged on shelves in a kitchen

Storage equipment

  • Shelving for dry ingredients
  • Storage racks for cookware
  • Shelving for dinnerware
  • Racks for sheet pans
  • Food storage containers
  • Drying racks
  • Dunnage racks
A variety of cleaning solutions and cleaning tools are arranged on a table

Cleaning supplies

  • Trash cans
  • Recycling bins
  • Cleaning and sanitizing chemicals
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Cleaning rags
  • Brooms and dustpans
  • Mops and mop buckets
  • Wet floor signs
  • Scrubbers and sponges
  • Three-compartment sinks
  • Restroom supplies, including paper and hygiene products, urinal cakes, soap, and cleaning solutions

 

What other equipment and supplies do I need for my restaurant kitchen?

Take some time to build your supply list. A great way to do this is to work through your recipes and keep a running list of the tools that would help your team work more effectively. Simple tools can simplify the work, and they can be a great add to your kitchen.

 

Where can I find the tools and equipment I need?

There are lots of great retailers that sell restaurant equipment and supplies. You can run a quick Google search to find some located near you, or you can check out these popular online stores:

 

 

You can also find used equipment on sites like Burkett, The Restaurant Warehouse, and ATX Restaurant Equipment or through local distributors.

 

What’s next?

Looking for some more easy-to-follow strategies? Check out our guide to opening restaurants.

Then, log into your owner’s portal for guides on how to get the business side of your operation running smoothly.

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