Consider Buying Used Restaurant Equipment when Opening a New Restaurant

When thinking about starting your own restaurant consider buying used restaurant furniture and equipment. Restaurants come and go with such regularity, that it is not hard to find "gently used" equipment.

The biggest benefit of buying new equipment is the warranty. If anything breaks on your new six burner range, you can rest assured it will be covered by the warranty. Keep in mind that new kitchen equipment doesn't often break, at least not within the first year or two. You may end up having to pay for repairs anyway.

Used restaurant equipment is well worth the investment, if you choose certain brands. My preference is Viking. Viking stoves can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. Lesser known brands are lesser known for a reason: they don't hold up as well. No matter if you buy new or used, if you are open for more than a few years (and that is the plan isn't it?) you will inevitably have to have something repaired, just like owning a car. Up to three years of hard service in a restaurant kitchen is more or less "gently used."

Contact your local auction house and usually they will have a list of upcoming auctions for closed restaurants. These auctions usually take place on site, so do your homework and find out how long the place was in operation. Also try to find out if the equipment that is being auctioned off was bought new or used. Sometimes you will get the answers you need, other times you may have to guess. Be sure to show up early, or better yet, the day before if you are able, to get a good look at what you are bidding on. Make a concise list of what you want, and how much you are willing to pay. Also, pack a lunch and plan on making a day of it, because these types of auctions usually last most of the work day and auctioneers often save the big pieces for last.

Big equipment to bid on are: stoves, reach-in refrigerators and freezers, walk-in compressors (those are what keep a walk -n fridge and freezer cold), dishwashers (machines, not people) tables and chairs. Chairs are notoriously expensive when bought new. Be sure to check if the chairs you are bidding on are worth it. Make sure the legs don't wobble and the finish still looks good. Also look if they will be easy to clean. Small grooves or a lot of spindles are wonderful places for crumbs to build up if not washed properly after every shift. Fabric covered chairs should be stain free, and preferably treated with a stain guard.

It is tempting to bid on smaller, cheaper items, such as napkin holders, bread baskets, serving ramekins, table tents, ect... Just like shopping at a store, these small purchases add up, so bid only on things you know you will need. Yes, those plastic red lobster baskets are a steal at only $5.00 for fifty, but what if you aren't serving lobster? Can you really find a use for tacky red baskets? Most likely they will end up stuffed in a forgotten cupboard in the wait station.

If you can find used dinner dishes and glasses and silverware that you like, and think would fit with your decor, than go ahead and pick some up. I have never been this lucky and have had to buy most plates and silverware new. Keep in mind that you can often get pint glasses for free as promotions through your beer distributor.

If you don't want to buy at action, there are many places that sell used restaurant equipment, along with new equipment.

Used equipment can save you thousands of dollars when you are preparing to open. New is nice, but not always a necessity.