Opening a new restaurant or refitting a kitchen? It's easy to forget something when there are a hundred moving parts. Use this checklist as a starting framework, then adjust it to your menu, your space, and your local health code.
1. The cooking line
Build your cooking line around your menu. Common pieces include ranges, ovens, fryers, griddles, and charbroilers. Decide gas vs. electric based on your space and ventilation. Start with our cooking equipment collection.
2. Refrigeration
Cold storage protects your inventory and your health rating. Most kitchens need some mix of reach-in refrigerators and freezers plus refrigerated prep tables, and higher-volume operations add walk-ins. Browse refrigeration and ice.
3. Food prep
Equip your prep area with stainless work tables, colour-coded cutting boards, and quality knives, plus any slicers, mixers, or food processors your menu calls for. See food prep and processing and work tables.
4. Warewashing and sinks
This is where health code is strict. Plan for a multi-compartment sink, a separate hand sink, and dish tables to manage soiled and clean dishware, plus a grease interceptor where required. Start with sinks and warewashing.
5. Storage and shelving
Keep inventory organized, ventilated, and off the floor with commercial shelving and racks. Browse shelving and racks and cabinets.
6. Smallwares
The everyday tools add up fast: cookware, utensils, food storage containers, and bakeware. Stock up from smallwares and utensils.
7. Front of house
Don't forget the guest side: tableware, drinkware, trays, signage, and furniture. See front of house.
A few buying tips
Choose NSF-certified equipment where it touches food or sanitation, since most health departments require it. Size equipment to your real peak volume, not an average day. And buying from a single supplier makes delivery, support, and warranty far simpler.
Let's build your list
EastFair outfits commercial kitchens across Canada from a single source. Order online for Canada-wide shipping, or visit our Scarborough showroom and our team will help you build a complete equipment list for your space and menu.