15 Mar Five Factors To Consider When Developing A New Dining Facility
Opening a new dining facility should be a thrilling endeavor. However, unless you have significant industry experience, determining what equipment will best meet your new business’s needs and budget can be a bit overwhelming. The kitchen is the heart of any dining facility. It is where the culinary magic happens, but it is also the space that has the potential to become a significant hindrance to your business if you fail to carefully consider and plan design features.
Thoughtful culinary equipment procurement ensures that your kitchen holds the tools to your success. The kitchen must be well designed and boast efficient equipment and supplies for high-quality yet expedient food delivery. Therefore, you must take into account five essential elements when designing your kitchen. These five factors will help you create an efficient and successful dining facility!
1. Safety
Many restaurant owners may overlook this crucial element during the culinary equipment procurement process. The safety of staff, customers, and the physical building should never be undervalued or sacrificed for the sake of budget or aesthetics. Fires are the nightmare of every dining facility owner, and the kitchen is the most vulnerable space for potential fire incidents. Include ample fire safety features in the development of your kitchen, choose designs to minimize loose electrical cords or long cord routes, and select equipment with ample sensors and automatic shut-off features.
Invest in training all staff members on the protocol in case of a fire or accident. Be sure to equip your kitchen with the necessary tools to extinguish a fire as soon as possible. Remember, if your kitchen fails to comply with all the safety codes, you may face delays in opening and/or hefty fines. In considering safety, ‘an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.’
2. Space Management
The first thing one should consider is each piece of equipment you will require and the expected footprint of each. You must ensure sufficient space between work areas and storage spaces so that all staff can adequately function in the kitchen without collisions or delays. For example, a common error occurs when opening the dishwasher to unload completely obstructs the path of anyone needing to pass through. In such instances, your kitchen staff may experience unnecessary stress, delays and decreased efficiency, and even increased safety hazards.
Another factor to consider while designing your kitchen is a plan for operational efficiency. The more structured and cohesive the design, the easier it will be for staff members to find what they need quickly and proceed to next steps. During busy hours, you do not want your staff wasting time searching for supplies or backtracking from grill to pantry in lieu of quickly delivering delicious meals to your patrons. Organization is essential in the fast-paced and demanding workspace of an industrial kitchen.
3. Functional Equipment
Another essential element of a successful kitchen is functionality. High-performance culinary equipment, including flexible equipment such as combi ovens, tilt skillets and other multi-cooking technologies increase speed and product quality, while ensuring that staff members can perform their duties safely. If you purchase sub-par equipment, it could lead to breakdowns, throwing a major wrench in your operations and costing you more money in the long term. If you lose function of a major appliance, it could even cause a complete shutdown of your facility with staggering opportunity cost. Ensure that an expert has inspected every piece of cooking equipment, evaluate offered warranties, and understand the recommended maintenance process before finalizing any equipment purchases.
For the successful function of your kitchen, ensure efficient functioning of each individual piece of equipment, as well as the seamless operation of all machines together. Otherwise, you will find yourself managing crises instead of a well-honed kitchen environment! If this task feels daunting, take a deep breath and rely on a company with vast expertise in designing and implementing highly functional and successful industrial kitchens. At Atlantic Culinary Environments, we are delighted by the opportunity to provide you with the knowledge and support you need.
4. Budget Considerations
It may not be glamorous, but budget is another essential component in creating your best kitchen space. What is your financial comfort level in establishing your new dining facility’s culinary team, as well as its kitchen? While you may find areas where you can reduce costs or perhaps perform a few DIY projects, be sure that your choices will not affect the quality of your kitchen and thus the quality of your product.
When outlining your kitchen budget, acute attention to detail will limit your surprise expenses down the line. This initial task may seem dull, but it is possibly the most important building block in developing your culinary space. Keep your budget in mind during the purchasing process, noting that buying multiple appliances from the same manufacturer may possibly garner you a discount, or recognizing that choosing a less popular flooring color may free up much needed funds for higher quality tools of the trade.
5. Preventive Maintenance
Routine inspection and maintenance of your equipment is not just crucial for your budget and peace of mind. It makes sense from an environmental perspective. By taking preventative measures, even as small as checking when filters need cleaning, you can help protect against leaks and small damages that waste money and lead to larger malfunctions down the line.
Regular maintenance will prevent more significant repair costs in the future and also increase your equipment’s lifespan. When purchasing equipment, be sure to inquire about maintenance plans, warranties, and recommended upkeep. It may be worth an additional initial investment to protect your equipment against future damage.
Conclusion
It may feel daunting to consider where and how to start designing your kitchen, but the five important elements discussed above offer an essential framework in the initial planning process.
Consider efficient space management, functional equipment, budget considerations, maintenance needs, and safety in your development process to maximize your success in the long run.
Engaging the expertise of Atlantic Culinary Environments in the infancy of project development helps alleviate the ‘growing pains’ new facility owners often face in the complex design and development process. Contact Us today for more expert advice. We are here to alleviate your concerns and support your culinary dreams!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.