Back to Blog
Ann Holtzapple
Research
02.5.18

Why It Makes Sense to Spend More on Commercial Kitchen Equipment

 

Running a restaurant is both expensive and risky. It’s hardly a surprise that most restaurant owners do everything they can to trim costs. While many of these efforts are worthwhile, others may end up costing more over the long run. At the top of this list? Skimping with cheap, low-quality kitchen equipment.

Here’s a closer look at why buying the best commercial kitchen equipment you can afford is a savvy strategy when it comes to stretching your dollars.

How long should your commercial equipment last? We crunched the numbers in our Average Product Life Cycles Guide.

 

Spend Now to Save Later

Commercial restaurant equipment prices vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. But if your aim is merely to find the cheapest deal out there, you are selling yourself — and your restaurant, operators, and diners — short.

Rather than short-changing your business, invest in it instead with high-quality appliance purchases. In doing so, you’ll see benefits across a number of measures, including energy efficiency, output, and ease of use. And because better equipment is more durable, you can also expect to recoup more of your initial cost by cutting back on service, parts, and labor expenses. Buying the right equipment is even a smart staffing solution thanks to everything from reduced training time to improved employee satisfaction and retention.

 

Plus Better Performance Along the Way

The same concept applies to replacing old kitchen equipment. Saving a few dollars now by deferring an inevitable purchase is a short-sighted perspective when upgrading now means you’ll get more out of a piece of equipment for longer. Furthermore, you also immediately begin benefiting from the superior performance and productivity found in higher-quality equipment.

Still not convinced? Think of it this way: While Volvos may cost more than comparable cars, they’ve distinguished themselves for their safety, reliability, and durability. This not only means they handle better and stay on the road longer than other vehicles but also that their owners benefit from fewer repairs and replacement costs over the course of time. The takeaway? The Volvo is ultimately the better purchase, even if the upfront price is higher.

While, “a penny saved is a penny earned,” may be words to live by, the saying doesn’t translate to buying commercial kitchen equipment. Investing in equipment upfront will benefit your customers and your business in the long haul.

 

Related Posts

What Does it Mean to be a 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year?

Vulcan has proudly been an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 16 consecutive years alongside our ITW Food Equipment Group sister companies. We’ve earned this by providing a range of ENERGY STAR® certified product series.
Read More

Consumer Preference Towards Fast Food Trend

The term “fast food” is usually associated with words like greasy, junk and unhealthy. From the rise of food delivery/expanded ordering to the demand for more plant-based and vegan menu options, the future of fast food is looking brighter than ever.
Read More

ENERGY STAR® Certified Commercial Food Service Equipment Buying Guide

Read More

Cut Cook Times in Half with the Vulcan Clamshell

Read More

Restaurant Menu Trends: Cold Weather Comfort Foods Your Customers Will Love

Read More

Commercial Gas Range Comparison

Read More

Choosing a Deep Fryer for Your Commercial Kitchen

There’s a reason why fried foods are beloved by diners: They taste delicious! Fried foods have practically become a staple in the world of commercial kitchens; but not all fryers are created equal.
Read More

Should You Buy New or Used Restaurant Equipment?

Read More

A Guide to Griddle Controls

From breakfast to dinner, late-night menus to snack items, commercial griddles are an essential part of a kitchen to keep every daypart running smoothly.
Read More

VC5 Ovens Q&A

Read More

The Guide to Purchasing a Restaurant Range

Read More

Running a Commercial Kitchen: A Checklist

Read More

Small Restaurant Kitchen Solutions to Maximize your Space

Read More

VC5 Commercial Oven FAQ

Convection ovens are a go-to in many restaurant kitchens, and with good reason: They’re true workhorses. However, not all convection ovens are created equal.
Read More

PowerFry5™ FAQ

Read More