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.

	Cooking machinery Gas or electric ranges Ovens Grills Griddles Deep fryers Broilers or salamanders Holding/warming cabinets Toasters Coffee machine Microwaves
	Refrigeration machinery Walk-in cooler Reach-in and prep refrigerators Freezers Ice machines Beverage dispensers
	Food prep equipment Food processors Mixers Blenders Spice grinders Graters Zesters Mixing bowls Cutting boards Chef knives Kitchen spoons Portioning tools Prep tables
	Cookware Stockpots Double boilers Pasta cooker pots Sauce pots and pans Saute pans Braising pans Frying pans Food pans Whisks Tongs Turners
	Storage equipment Shelving for dry ingredients Storage racks for cookware Shelving for dinnerware Racks for sheet pans Food storage containers Drying racks Dunnage racks
	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:

Restaurant Equippers: Low Prices on Name-Brand Equipment and Supplies

Shop Restaurant Equippers™ huge, in-stock inventory of new, used, and scratch-and-dent commercial cooking and refrigeration equipment. You can find warehouse prices on supplies for pizza, bakery, bar, food trucks, and more. This store offers free in-store pickup and nationwide delivery, and they have options for leasing and financing.

RestaurantSupply.com: Committed to Quality Products and Customer Service

RestaurantSupply.com carries a wide selection of restaurant equipment and supplies from a variety of major brands. You can find virtually anything you need for your kitchen through this resource, and you can spread the costs over time with their simple financing program (currently provided by QuickSpark). Follow this link to explore their inventory.

WebstaurantStore: The Leading Distributor of Restaurant Supplies and Equipment

With WebstaurantStore, you can have top-quality, commercial-grade kitchen and supplies delivered to your door. Restaurant owners love this store for its wide selection and fast delivery. Click the button below to browse some of the more than 340,000 items on their site.

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.