Running a restaurant is not an easy task because it takes a lot of time, dedication and money to create an establishment which offers excellent services and a consistent menu to its customers. This is actually the best way for the place to build a brand for itself and stay ahead of the competition.
Generally speaking, the kitchen is considered the driving force of any restaurant. It is where the magic really happens, ensuring that every meal coming out of there is of the highest quality. That’s why restaurant owners and managers should do their best to increase the productivity and efficiency in the kitchen to best serve customers’ expectations.
One way of achieving this is to make some improvements around. Whether it is building a new commercial kitchen from scratch or renovating a few things, here are five practical ways that will keep your customers happy and help your business run smoothly.
1. Improve the working conditions
Probably the biggest thing that can disrupt the workflow of any commercial kitchen is the staff. Unhappy employees can have an impact on the productivity in the kitchen especially if they don’t have a suitable working environment where they can perform their tasks.
Therefore, your first step to having an efficient kitchen is to improve the working conditions. One way of doing so is to install anti fatigue flooring tiles to provide ergonomic support and improve safety and comfort while working. These tiles have the ability to make standing for hours on end more bearable and reduce any pain symptoms chefs may be feeling in their backs or knees.
Choose a format that best serves your employees’ needs and place them below every kitchen counter to create a suitable working environment.
2. Reface your kitchen cabinets
If your commercial kitchen has had the same look since you opened your restaurant, then you should start considering changing its appearance. The great thing about this improvement project is that you don’t have to rebuild a new kitchen from scratch, but instead you can opt for a simpler act such as refacing the kitchen cabinets.
If you want to achieve a high-end look doing this, you should consult trusted contractors who can give you their expert advice on what the best options are for you. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from a wide range of colors and styles that will best suit your current commercial kitchen design and are within your budget.
Some popular choices among restaurant owners are sturdy steel cabinet doors and custom lacquered cabinets.
3. Create efficient workstations
Another practical improvement project you can engage in is creating efficient workstations. You probably have kitchen staff employees who perform different tasks so building their own designated workstations can certainly help your restaurant run more smoothly.
This will also minimize the movement chefs usually make to complete the tasks as they won’t need to run from one part of the kitchen to another during preparation or service.
Every efficient kitchen typically needs five different workstations and these are preparation, cooking, cleaning, food storage and non-food storage. Each workstation should be placed in a specific part of the kitchen which corresponds to its purpose.
For example, the cleaning station should be installed near the sink and dishwasher, the preparation station near the fridge and so on.
4. Increase storage space
The kitchen of a high-ranking restaurant is the center of activity and potential chaos. With so many cooks around, there is a great possibility that some items could become misplaced, things could get cluttered and goods wasted. One way of dealing with these issues is to redesign the layout of your kitchen and maximize its storage space.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can increase the storage space in your restaurant. Some of the most practical options include installing shelving and stand-alone units.
For example, shelves, whether single or fixed, are often considered the staple of every modern, professional kitchen. They can hold almost anything and can be placed anywhere even in your walk-in fridges and similar storage rooms where you keep your goods.
5. Provide the right tools and equipment
If your chefs use the wrong equipment or worn-out tools, that can also disrupt the workflow of your restaurant. Not only will your customers be unsatisfied because their orders are late, but it will further cause lots of frustration among your employees. Plus, old or broken tools can cause injury among staff members and even leave your establishment open to legal risks.
Therefore, providing the right equipment is an effective way of improving the productivity and efficiency of your commercial kitchen. Depending on your chefs’ needs, you may need to purchase specific appliances that enable them to do their job better.
For example, if you plan on serving toast or bagels, you should look for a high-quality commercial toaster as it is much easier to use and more efficient.
Final thoughts
Although running a restaurant is very challenging, it isn’t impossible to do it. All it takes is dedicated owners and staff members who will find different ways to improve the kitchen’s dynamic and enhance productivity and efficiency in the establishment.
Whether it is through updated layouts and workstations, maximized storage space or improved working conditions, there are several changes you can make to upgrade your commercial’s kitchen organization and structure for the better.
If you need help, borrow some of the tips mentioned here and run your restaurant more smoothly.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
