Read time: 5 minutes
Did you know that start up costs for a restaurant can easily reach half a million dollars? Good news is that you can save money without cutting corners by finding affordable restaurant equipment and software.
In this article, we offer practical advice for finding affordable restaurant equipment, hardware, and software that fits both your needs and your budget. We’ll start by assessing your needs, then discuss where to find affordable restaurant equipment and software, and wrap up with some tips to help you save even more!
Let’s dive in.
Assess Your Restaurant Equipment and Hardware Needs Before You Buy
It’s easy to get caught up wanting top-of-the-line equipment or the latest tech, but first, ask yourself: What equipment and software are absolutely necessary for you to operate efficiently?
Walk through a typical service and consider every piece of equipment and tech you’ll need to accept orders, track tickets, and execute those orders. Then, think about what you need for setup and breakdown before and after service. Finally, list the business services you’ll need to stay on top of things, from accounting to marketing.
Next, categorize all these needs based on urgency:
- What do you need right now to operate?
- What’s nice to have but not essential?
- What can wait for a later purchase?
Your priorities will depend on your specific business. For example, a food truck may prioritize a compact POS system, while a quick service restaurant might need durable kitchen equipment.
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Where to Look for Affordable Restaurant Equipment
Now that you’ve got your list, it’s time to start searching for affordable restaurant equipment. If you’re planning on getting everything brand new, you might want to reconsider. Used and refurbished restaurant equipment can offer the quality you need at a fraction of the cost.
Sadly, the restaurant industry can be tough, and many restaurants don’t make it past their first year. This means there’s often plenty of gently used equipment available at lower prices.
Here are four places to look for affordable restaurant equipment:
- Restaurant Auctions: When restaurants close, owners typically try to sell equipment to recoup some of their investments. Check local listings for auction houses, as well as private auctions and sales.
- Wholesale Retailers: Think of places like Costco but specifically for restaurant and kitchen supplies. You may need to travel to a restaurant wholesaler, but the inventory and savings could be well worth the drive.
- Local Suppliers: Your local restaurant or wholesale kitchen stores may have limited inventory, but they can offer personalized advice and installation services to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need.
- Online Suppliers: If you know exactly what you’re looking for, online marketplaces like WebstaurantStore or Restaurant Depot are great places to start.
If purchasing equipment is out of your budget, ask about leasing options. Some suppliers may offer lease-to-buy plans, helping ease the upfront costs of new equipment.
Affordable Software Solutions for Your Restaurant
When shopping for restaurant software, it’s tempting to go for the cheapest options. However, this approach can be short-sighted. Here’s how to find affordable solutions without sacrificing the functionality your business needs.
- Focus on essential technology first: Start with the basics and scale up as needed. For example, a new quick service restaurant needs a POS system to process payments and accept online orders, plus a Kitchen Display System (KDS) to track orders. Things like a complex inventory or reporting systems aren’t needed right away and can be added as the business grows.
- Choose technology tailored to your business: Different types of restaurants have different needs. For example, a food truck won’t need the same software as a full-service fine dining restaurant. But figuring out if a POS system – or any technology for that matter – is right for your specific business will require a little investigating on your part. Take time to read through websites and review sites, schedule a demo, and ask questions before deciding.
- Learn from other restaurant owners: When in doubt, talk to your peers. There is so much power in networking and becoming friendly with fellow business owners. Find out what worked for them, what challenges they faced, and how they selected their tech stack.
Wondering how to choose the best POS System for you restaurant?
Read: 9 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a POS System
The Benefits of Bundling Hardware, Software, and Services
One of the best ways to save money and streamline your restaurant’s operations is by bundling hardware, software, and services with a single provider. Phil Stevenson, owner of K’s Japanese Kitchen, has been a longtime Table Needs customer. He shares:
“What I really like is that the online ordering system, the in-house system, kitchen display system, and pick-up—all of it—is on one platform. Table Needs is a great product for a very reasonable price.”
Here’s why simplifying your restaurant tech stack is so beneficial:
- Streamlined Setup: Save time and reduce integration hassles by getting everything from one provider.
- Cost Savings: Bundling can often lower expenses compared to purchasing from separate vendors.
- Peace of Mind: With one point of contact for customer support, problems get resolved faster.
With just one phone number for tech support, one bill to track each month, and one system to maintain, consolidating your services with a single provider can save you both time and money.
Ready to Build a Successful, Profitable Restaurant?
Table Needs can help! Our all-in-one Restaurant Operations Platform is designed to help your quick service restaurant, coffee shop, or food truck run smoothly and profitably. Book a hassle-free demo with Table Needs today to see our platform in action!
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