What you need to know when shopping for restaurant equipment

A restaurant is like any other business - you want to maximize your profits by having all aspects of the operation working efficiently at once. If one aspect of the operation is out of sync, it can throw off all the others - limiting efficiency and thereby limiting profit potential.

One aspect of the restaurant industry that's incredibly important in ensuring your business works at peak capacity is having quality, reliable equipment. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for restaurant equipment and used restaurant equipment:

1. If you're eyeballing used restaurant equipment, consider bringing in a third-party, technical expert who can give a good, thorough inspection of the gear before you purchase it. This way, you'll get a better idea of how well it's been maintained, how old it is, its working condition and how much life it has left in it, which can be big deciding factors in your decision to buy. Remember, equipment malfunctions are likely to cause downtime, which can be detrimental to your operations.

2. You may want to ask if the equipment has been approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Although NSF approval is not required, some people prefer it because it can help ensure a passing score by the health inspectors.

3. Consider the brand: You certainly want to decide on a credible brand for your equipment, but also consider the seller. How accessible is the person if you need them today, or in the future to assist in repairs? Working with a quality seller, like ACityDiscount.com, can be beneficial in terms of getting you the support and parts you need.

4. Consider buying things like tables, chairs and kitchen tools used. You often can get these more basic items much cheaper than they would cost brand new. For larger items, such as freezers, fryers and grills, explore your options. For instance, while you can purchase such items used or new, some manufacturers also offer the ability to lease these appliances.

5. Make sure that you're not buying too much equipment. For instance, know the dimensions in your kitchen and only buy items that will fit in those spaces. Also, search for multi-functional appliances that can do more than one thing. These can save money and conserve space in your kitchen.

6. Warranties: Look to see if any larger equipment comes with warranties, as these can come in handy for appliances that are more prone to malfunction.