Fast Food Restaurant Equipment List

While national fast food restaurant chains are seemingly everywhere, that doesn’t mean there’s not also room for smaller operations. They might require more work, but success is certainly possible if you have perseverance. If you’re thinking about opening a fast food restaurant but aren’t quite sure what equipment you’ll need, then you’ve come to the right place. This post features a fast food restaurant equipment list that includes the most important appliances you’ll need.

Fryer

Fast food restaurants are perhaps best known for their fried offerings. As a result, commercial fryers place high on our list of essential fast food restaurant equipment. Fish, French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks are the most popular types of fried food. But that doesn’t mean you can’t also deep fry things like ice cream, bananas, dough, and even Oreos.

Since not all kitchens are the same, there are a variety of different types of fryers on the market. Some take up minimal space and conveniently fit atop counters. These types are ideal for smaller commercial kitchens found in concession stands. Other fryers are bigger in size and require floor space. These commercial deep fryers can have as few as 2 tanks and as many as 6, which makes them perfect for frying large volumes of food. In the event that you don’t have access to a gas hookup, an electric fryer is your best bet. And if you prefer something that will fit seamlessly into your countertop, consider a drop-in fryer.

Griddle

Commercial griddles are must-haves for any fast food restaurant. Whether you’re cooking burgers, eggs, sausages, pancakes, steak, chicken, or fish, a griddle is up to the task. Countertop commercial griddles are as compact as 12" wide and as large as 72" wide. So if you have some spare countertop space, this type of griddle is the perfect solution. If you’d prefer something a little more permanent, drop-in griddles fit securely into countertops. If you want something like a griddle that will leave beautiful grill marks on your burgers, then a  commercial charbroiler is for you.

Refrigeration Equipment

Fast food restaurants preserve food so it tastes delicious as possible. That’s why every restaurant needs to outfit its commercial kitchen with refrigerators and freezers. Glass-door refrigerators offer better visibility, while solid door units provide superior insulation. For kitchens that crave versatility, commercial refrigerator-freezer combos are the perfect solution. These units come in a range of styles. Whether you prefer drawers, full-size cabinets, or half-size cabinets, there is a refrigeration unit for you. If your fast food kitchen could use a commercial chef base that doubles as a refrigerator or freezer, we have plenty available.

Hood

A commercial kitchen hood is imperative to the safety of you and your kitchen staff. Especially important in fast food restaurants, a hood helps rid your kitchen’s air of unwanted smoke and grease. This process keeps your kitchen’s air fresh and, more importantly, reduces the risk of fires. If you’re opening a smaller fast food restaurant, a ventless hood system might be your best option. These units require minimal space and provide kitchens with more versatility when it comes to design. Commercial exhaust hoods are the other option. Mounted directly to your wall or ceiling, these units become fixtures in the kitchen and are best-suited for high-volume fast food restaurants.

Prep Table

Before you cook your meals, you’ll to have to do some meal prep. Stainless steel work tables are popular for their durability. Coming in a range of styles and sizes, there is a perfect prep table for every operation. Some have built-in sinks, while others only feature just table top space. All units have undershelves that offer extra storage space.

If you want a prep table that can multi-task, a refrigerated prep table is perfect for you. Especially great for kitchens that make a lot of sandwiches, salads, or pizzas, these units have easy-to-access storage bins that hold ingredients. Cutting boards come standard and allow your chefs to quickly slice and dice food. The refrigerators located underneath these prep tables come in the form of doors and drawers. So no matter your preference, there’s an option for you.

Sinks

Maintaining a sanitary environment is not only important for the health of your staff and customers, but it’s also the law. That’s why every fast food restaurant needs commercial sinks. Whether you’re using a sink to wash hands, rinse supplies, or dip a mop, there is a sink that suits your needs. Compartment sinks have as few as 1 compartment and as many as 4. Drop-in sinks fit conveniently into countertops, while hand sinks can be mounted to walls. The type of sinks you need will largely depend on the layout of your kitchen, so it’s best to know your design before browsing options.

Shelving

When opening a fast food joint, it’s easy to get caught up in all the commercial restaurant equipment. But also remember that you’ll need space for storage. Restaurant shelving offers a compact solution that works seamlessly within your kitchen’s layout.  casters to the bottom of your shelving.

Getting the proper equipment is just one step toward opening a fast food restaurant. After all, starting a restaurant business is a complicated process that requires months on planning. So don’t rush into buying equipment until you have the rest of your restaurant’s foundation in place. But when you’re finally ready to start looking at equipment, this fast food restaurant equipment list can be a helpful guide.