Designing a commercial kitchen can be a challenging process. From regulations to technical characteristics of appliances, there are dozens of things to consider when doing restaurant kitchen design. That’s why most restaurant and catering businesses use the services of companies that specialize in commercial kitchen planning and equipment. In the following paragraphs, we’ll share more about the main types of commercial kitchen layouts and a few ideas for restaurant kitchen design. Make sure to also read our posts on bakery design and the latest restaurant technology trends.
Key takeaway: Choosing the right commercial kitchen layout is crucial for food service businesses. Although there are a couple of main layouts, they can be changed or combined to fit the needs of a specific food service business. When doing restaurant kitchen design, it’s recommended to partner with a company that specializes in commercial kitchen equipment, design, and refurbishment services instead of handling the project on your own.
Popular Commercial Kitchen Layouts
There are five main types of commercial kitchen layouts. Each of them has its pros and cons and is suitable for different types of food service businesses. Let’s examine them.
Island
This layout revolves around the centralization of major kitchen equipment on an island in the middle of the premise. Preparation, storage, cleaning, and other support stations are located around the perimeter. This layout ensures efficiency and good collaboration between different stations in the kitchen. It’s suitable for large kitchens where multiple chefs work together and need to have excellent communication. The main disadvantage of the island layout for commercial kitchens is that it requires a lot of space and exceptional ventilation. It’s suboptimal for small food service businesses.
Assembly Line
From preparation to plating, this layout requires all stations to be arranged in a straight line and work on a linear flow. It’s primarily used in fast food joints, cafeterias, or other food service businesses where speed is a major factor. Although it offers quick service, the assembly line layout is not very flexible.
Zone-Style Layout
This restaurant kitchen design type is suitable for fine-dining establishments or other eateries with specialized menus. The layout relies on creating different zones that specialize in certain courses.
Open Kitchen Restaurant Design
This layout has been one of the most trendy ones in the restaurant sector. It can also be used in a restaurant's marketing as transparency has the potential to enhance the dining experience, build client trust, and help with restaurant customer acquisition. The open kitchen layout requires that a portion of the kitchen is visible to diners. It’s suitable for specialized or upscale restaurants. One of the drawbacks of the open kitchen layout is that it requires immaculate cleanliness and better staff training.
Galley Layout
This is one of the few (if not the only one) options for small or mobile kitchens. Small coffee shops, food trucks, and other small food service businesses usually have the galley (also called parallel) layout. It saves space as equipment and workstations are placed on two parallel walls. Although it offers optimal usage of kitchen space, the galley layout is not suitable for restaurants that wish to scale and grow.
Tips and Ideas for Restaurant Kitchen Design
From proper menu design to minimizing the effects of restaurant inflation, managers in the food service industry need to pay attention to various details. Here are a few tips that might help you on your restaurant kitchen design journey.
- Optimize storage areas by adding different shelving units and other storage solutions. Differentiate separate storage areas – dry storage, freezer, refrigerators, and storage for miscellaneous items like restaurant condiment holders and restaurant merchandise.
- Consider investing in energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Although their price is typically higher, lower utility bills in the long run make it a worthy investment. Energy-efficient equipment is also a must for eco-friendly restaurants.
- Integrate technologies that will help you increase the efficiency of your kitchen. That includes POS-connected kitchen displays, tablet ordering systems, and other innovations. Keep in mind that these technological solutions should be integrated with the restaurant’s eCommerce platform, third-party sales channels, and other software and hardware.
- Involve chefs, waiting staff, and other employees during the planning phase of the restaurant kitchen design process. These staff members can give you invaluable advice.
- Prioritize workflows and logical movement of ingredients and dishes. Minimizing cross-traffic will reduce the risk of operational bottlenecks.
- Follow the latest efficiency and safety codes. That includes things like grease-resistant flooring, avoiding porous materials, installing easy-to-clean surfaces, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restaurant Kitchen Design
The food service niche market has changed drastically over the past decades. However, the foundation of restaurant kitchen design has stayed the same. On our blog, you’ll find plenty of tips on topics like sustainable restaurants or wholesale restaurant supplies. Check out our answers to some of the common questions regarding restaurant kitchen design.
How to Pick Commercial Kitchen Equipment?
When doing restaurant kitchen design, food service businesses often need equipment as well. In most cases, companies that offer professional kitchen design services sell equipment as well. It’s best to work with the same company for equipment delivery, layout planning, and refurbishment, as their team will understand your goals and needs better. Factors such as price, quality, energy efficiency, and brand are among the most important ones when buying commercial kitchen equipment. Some restaurant businesses might choose to purchase second-hand appliances or other equipment. Although they might have some signs of usage or damage, they can be an excellent low-cost solution.
What Are the Regulatory Requirements for Commercial Kitchens?
Health codes, employee safety regulations, and fire codes are among the most important regulations for commercial kitchens. In fact, not meeting certain standards might result in an inability to get all necessary restaurant licenses and permits. Regulations vary from state to state. Thus, it is paramount to research the local regulations for your particular area. One of the benefits of working with a company that specializes in restaurant kitchen design is its knowledge and experience in the field.
What Is Commercial Kitchen Design Software?
These solutions simplify the process of designing a restaurant’s kitchen. Most commercial kitchen design software solutions are used by companies that specialize in designing and refurbishing kitchens. However, restaurant managers and others can also use such software to create a basic layout or plan the future look of their kitchen. Using kitchen design software simplifies the process and helps business owners prepare for potential problems. In order to be one step closer to restaurant success, make sure to partner with experts who specialize in restaurant kitchen design. Their knowledge and attention to detail can be the difference between a mediocre kitchen and an exceptional one!
BlueCart: Where Restaurants and Suppliers Meet
Whether you operate a business in the restaurant industry and wish to find suppliers in various fields or specialize in wholesale distribution, BlueCart is the solution you need. Our wholesale ordering platform allows suppliers to increase wholesale sales, create product catalogs, and manage product orders. Food service businesses can also benefit from BlueCart’s wholesale ordering software in multiple ways. From inventory monitoring to supplier management, BlueCart is the one-stop shop for handling wholesale orders. Schedule a free demo and see why many broadline distributors and specialized suppliers use BlueCart.