Old and outdated equipment can be very costly to maintain. If you find yourself having to call a technician every month to fix something, it is definitely time for an upgrade. Bakeries often operate on slim profit margins, meaning constant repairs can seriously hurt your business. New equipment may also provide additional functionality that opens up alternative revenue streams. Not only that, new equipment tends to use less energy, which can save you on your power bill over the long term. Here are a few more reasons upgrading your equipment is worth the investment.
Better Food Quality
The quality of your food depends on a few different factors, and properly functioning equipment is undoubtedly one of them. For your kitchen staff to produce consistent, high-quality food, they need the necessary tools. Consult with your kitchen staff to determine which items need to be replaced and what other equipment they could use to make things more efficient. There may even be items that you typically get premade from a distributor that could be made in-house with the right equipment purchase, which can help save on inventory costs.
Streamlined Operations
Whether it is a new POS system, a convection oven, new knives, or more countertop space, investing in new equipment can streamline operations, saving both time and money. There are many moving parts in a bakery's operations, so anything that makes that job easier can increase revenue, table turnover, and employee morale. Speak with your FOH and BOH employees to determine which things will enable them to do their jobs more quickly, accurately, and efficiently.
What Equipment Should Be Upgraded:
Ovens - When ovens get old and degrade, they can cause uneven cooking, poor food quality, and longer cook times. If an oven breaks down in the middle of service, this could be catastrophic to your bottom line, making this an essential investment for your kitchen.
Ranges And Ventilation - Another staple of any commercial kitchen is ranges and ventilation. Ranges take a lot of abuse, and their functionality is as important as any other piece of kitchen equipment. Proper ventilation ensures the health and safety of your staff and guests.
Freezers And Refrigerators - Cold storage is essential in the restaurant business, and a breakdown of this equipment can be costly, not to mention the potential health risks. Freezers and refrigerators are a major investment and one that needs to be made before a breakdown occurs.
Food Prep Counters - Food prep counters can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your kitchen. If your staff doesn't have enough room to operate, it can cause service delays. If your counters are old and degraded, it could impact food quality and safety.
Safety Equipment - Not only is safety equipment necessary to ensure the well-being of your staff and guests but there are also many pieces that are required by law. Ensuring each piece of equipment is up to date and functioning properly could make or break your business.
POS System - Upgrading your POS system can enable you to keep better track of your finances, enable digital ordering from home or at the table and bring all of your financial and operations functions and reports under one roof.
Small Equipment - Other essentials such as food processors, mixers, slicers, knives, cutting boards, and other utensils need to be replaced and upgraded periodically. This is both an efficiency and safety issue and can also impact food quality.
If you'd like to upgrade your equipment but don't have the cash on hand, Quikstone can help. Since 2005, Quikstone has helped thousands of restaurants like yours grow and prosper with easy, fast, and flexible working capital for all their business needs.
A cash advance from Quikstone is not a loan; it's a purchase of a small portion of your future credit card sales. There's a simple one-page application, and no collateral is needed. If you process credit cards, you could qualify for as much as $250,000. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and 80% of our merchants are repeat customers.
For additional tips to grow your bakery business, download our guide today!
