Top 6 Tips for Running a Successful Commercial Kitchen

We’ve all heard the shocking statistic: 80% of restaurants will close within five years of opening.

But let’s not dwell on the negative. Instead, let’s talk about the 20% of restaurants that get it right. Let’s talk about the owners and chefs that successfully run a commercial kitchen.

What does it manage a restaurant kitchen? How can you ensure your business venture lands in the 20% of kitchen success stories? Here are our top tips for effective kitchen management.

Invest in the Right Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Whether you’re running a tiny bistro with ten tables or a massive buffet line for hundreds of guests, the right equipment is essential.

Here’s a checklist of items you’ll likely need to get started:

• Ovens
• Ranges
• Steam tables
• Grills
• Fryers
• Kettle cookers
• Walk-in refrigerator/freezer
• Reach-in refrigerator/freezer
• Ice machine

Of course, the exact type of equipment you need depends on the size of your kitchen and the type of food you’re serving. If you run the cozy bistro, you’ll need to maximize your kitchen space. One way you could save room by installing under-counter fridges and freezers.

Meanwhile, what if you run a buffet-style restaurant? Look for portable, drop-in ranges to increase your speed and efficiency.

Make Food Safety a Priority

You might think of Top Gun when you hear the phrase “Danger Zone,” but it has a very different meaning in the restaurant world. Not only do you need to cook food to the proper temperature, but you must store it outside the Danger Zone range as well.

Did you know you can monitor these temperatures in your kitchen, even when you’re not there? For example, a commercial freezer temperature alarm provides real-time updates directly to your smartphone. You can monitor it (along with other temperature-sensitive equipment) while you’re on the line, entertaining guests, or even on your day off.

What else do you need to do to keep your kitchen safe?

• Avoid cross-contamination by storing food correctly
• Keep separate cutting boards and workstations for raw and cooked items
• Clean and sanitize prep and cooking stations throughout the shift (and at the end of the night)
• Label and keep track of food by date using First In, First Out (FIFO)
• Ensure all kitchen staff wear gloves and wash hands often
• Tell sick workers to stay at home until they’ve fully recovered

Keep everyone on the same page by having regular safety meetings and training sessions. Remember: a successful commercial kitchen is a safe one!

Have the Right Number of Kitchen Staff

This is based mainly on the size of your restaurant, but you also need to factor in the size of your menu. It’s unrealistic to think that one chef and one line cook can prepare and cook fifteen different entrees and thirty different side items.

It stands to reason that the larger your kitchen and menu, the more prep cooks, line cooks, and chefs you’ll need. Ideally, even your sous chefs should be able to easily handle any of the items on the menu.

To prevent bottlenecks in the kitchen, create dedicated workstations for different duties. If possible, have two separate entrances for inventory and cooks to come in and food and waitstaff to exit. And if you haven’t already done so, write a basic employee manual so everyone understands their duties.

Streamline Your Menu Offerings

You might be tempted to impress your guests with unique, complex dishes, but you first need to consider your budget and your chefs’ abilities. We’re not suggesting you cut corners, but rather stick to what you’re good at.

The more complicated a dish is, the more time it takes to prep, cook, and plate. This could spell disaster if you get five orders for your fancy foie gras appetizer in the middle of the dinner rush. It’s much better to stick with items that fit into your budget, that are easy to prepare, and (most importantly) that your guests love.

You can also save on food costs by thinking about “base” food items that can be easily modified. For example, do you offer five different flavors of milkshakes? Stick with a vanilla ice cream base and create the other flavors with mix-ins.

Invest In (And Listen To) Your Staff

The best kitchen management teams know the importance of asking for feedback from their staff. Your cooks and chefs can offer a new perspective on every aspect of the restaurant’s kitchen.

For example, why is there always a bottleneck around the fry station? Which prepped items do they always run out of during the lunch rush? Which dishes take the most time to prepare and plate?

Basically, what’s working and what isn’t?

Observe your staff through several full-service shifts to understand the workflow through the kitchen. Then have a sit-down session with each staff member and invite their feedback. You should also ask them what they need, whether it’s supplies or training, to help them perform their job more efficiently.

Consider a Kitchen Management Program

No matter how passionate you are about food, your restaurant is first and foremost a business endeavor. If you don’t have a background in the industry (or even if you do), consider signing up for a professional kitchen management course.

Here are just some of the things you can expect to learn in a typical program:

• Buying and maintaining kitchen equipment
• Tracking and ordering inventory
• Latest industry trends
• Training and supervising your kitchen staff
• Menu planning and cost control
• Purchasing strategies
• Proper food handling, storage, and safety

This knowledge will be invaluable as you transition from a startup endeavor to a thriving, successful restaurant.

Set Up Your Commercial Kitchen for Success

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a passionate entrepreneur, there’s a lot to learn about how to manage a restaurant kitchen.

Ensure your restaurant venture is a success by following the tips outlined above. Combined with a stellar front-of-house experience, your venue is sure to become the talk of the town!

Now that you have what you need for your commercial kitchen, what’s next? Our site is full of great advice for business owners, so keep browsing!