Essential Fast Food Equipment List

Fast food restaurants in the U.S. earned $387.5 billion in revenue in 2023. With a high volume of daily customers, having the right equipment is essential to smooth operations and customer satisfaction. 

In the front of house, where customers place orders and interact with staff, essential equipment includes digital menu boards, point of sale (POS) systems, and self-service kiosks to streamline service. Meanwhile, the back of house is where the bulk of the operational heavy lifting happens. Key items such as commercial fryers, grills, refrigeration units, and prep stations ensure the kitchen runs efficiently, enabling fast food restaurants to meet high demand and maintain consistent quality. Having a well-equipped setup in both areas is crucial to success.

Requirements for front of house and back of house

As of 2023, there are 207,827 fast food restaurant businesses in the U.S., which means there is stiff competition in the industry. Equipping both the front and back of house in a fast food restaurant is key to running a seamless, efficient workflow. 

In this section, we’ll explore the essential equipment required for both front and back of house and the role each item plays in daily operations.

Front of house equipment

The front of house focuses on enhancing customer experience with order processing and convenience. These pieces of equipment help ensure efficient service and smooth customer interactions.

Point of sale (POS) system

The POS system is the nerve center of fast food operations. By streamlining order processing and enhancing data management, a robust POS system significantly improves efficiency and the overall customer experience.

• Payment and sales: Process payments, manage transactions, and record sales instantly.

• Real-time inventory tracking: Monitor stock levels in real-time and prevent inventory shortages.

• CRM integration: Understand customer preferences and build loyalty through tailored promotions or rewards. 

Digital menu boards

Digital menu boards offer fast food restaurants a dynamic, engaging way to present the menu, promotions, and pricing to customers.

• Easily customizable: Showcase offerings or highlight limited-time deals at the push of a button.

• Visually engaging: Display high-resolution images and videos that appeal to customers and drive impulse purchases.

• Live updates: Adjust prices in real-time or introduce new items without the need for costly print replacements.

Self-service kiosks

Self-service kiosks have revolutionized the fast food ordering process by giving customers more control over their orders. 

• Self-service technology: Empower customers to browse the menu, customize items, and pay for their orders — all without interacting with staff.

• Order efficiency: Reduce wait times and minimize order errors, as customers input their preferences directly.

• Streamlined ordering: Integrated with the POS system, kiosks help speed up the kitchen workflow by sending orders directly to the kitchen display.

• Boost revenue: Upsell purchases by suggesting add-ons or meal upgrades during the ordering process, boosting revenue.

Beverage dispensers

In most fast food establishments, self-serve beverage dispensers are a customer convenience staple. 

• Self-serve beverages: Offer a wide range of drink options, from sodas to iced teas, and allow customers to refill their drinks without the need for staff assistance.

• Operational efficiency: Improve service speed and reduce staff workload, freeing them up for other tasks.

• Sanitary solutions: Touchless or automated systems offer more sanitary, efficient service, enhancing the overall customer experience and encouraging repeat visits.

Back of house equipment

The back of house is where food is prepared and stored to meet the demands of fast service. 

Commercial fryers

Commercial fryers are indispensable in any fast food kitchen, especially given the popularity of fried items like french fries, chicken tenders, and onion rings.

• Efficient frying: Handle large quantities of food and ensure consistent quality and quick turnaround times even during peak hours.

• Precise cooking: Maintain the ideal oil temperature with advanced controls and timers, ensuring that food is crispy without being greasy.

• High-volume cooking: For restaurants with a high volume of fried foods, double or triple basket fryers can keep multiple items cooking at once, increasing efficiency.

Grills and griddles

Grills and griddles are core components for cooking signature fast food items like burgers, grilled chicken, and breakfast items. 

• Multi-order cooking: Provide even heat distribution and ample cooking space with a flat-top griddle, allowing kitchen staff to prepare several orders simultaneously. 

• Fast precision: Built for speed and precision, these appliances ensure that food is cooked quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Versatile temperatures: Adjust griddle temperature zones and enable staff to cook a variety of items at different heat levels, from searing burgers to lightly toasting buns.

Refrigeration units

Proper refrigeration is the backbone of food safety and operational efficiency in any fast food kitchen. 

• Cold storage: Preserve freshness with walk-in coolers, reach-in refrigerators, and freezers. Safely store bulk ingredients like meats, dairy, and vegetables.

• Convenient access: Grab essential ingredients from under-counter refrigerators and refrigerated prep tables without interrupting workflow. 

• Food safety: Organize raw and cooked items with built-in separate compartments, minimizing cross-contamination risks and maintaining food safety standards.

Food prep stations

Food prep stations are the heart of back-of-house operations, where ingredients are prepped and assembled before cooking. 

• Prep stations: Set up these stations with cutting boards, stainless steel counters, ingredient bins, and built-in refrigeration to keep items like toppings and sauces within easy reach.

• Efficient layout: Organize the prep stations ergonomically to maximize efficiency, allowing kitchen staff to assemble orders quickly while maintaining quality.

• Seamless preparation: Store prepped items in chilled containers to ensure freshness.

Ovens

While fryers and grills take center stage in most fast food kitchens, ovens are crucial for baking or cooking larger menu items, like bread, pizza, or baked chicken. 

• Rapid cooking: Cook food faster and more uniformly with high-efficiency convection ovens that are designed to circulate hot air evenly. 

• Speed quality: Maintain the speed of service without sacrificing the quality of the finished product. 

• Energy efficiency: Save on utility costs while keeping up with high demand by using energy-efficient convection ovens.

Warming stations

Warming stations ensure that cooked food is kept at optimal serving temperatures until it is ready to be packaged or served. 

• Peak performance: Warming stations are especially valuable during rush hours when multiple orders are prepared simultaneously. 

• Temperature control: Keep food at a safe, warm temperature and preserve the taste and texture of items like burgers, fries, and chicken, ensuring that customers receive hot, fresh food regardless of service speed. 

• Heat management: Equipped with adjustable heat controls and able to store several orders at once, making them indispensable during peak times.

Each area of a fast food restaurant kitchen has its own specific equipment needs that contribute to the overall success of the business. 

How fast food franchisees typically evaluate equipment

According to a CDC survey, 37% of adults eat fast food every day. When opening a fast food franchise, equipment selection is a critical decision that impacts both operations and the customer experience. Franchisees must balance following corporate guidelines while also making strategic choices for their specific locations. 

Here's how franchisees typically evaluate their equipment needs:

Corporate-mandated equipment

For most fast food franchises, corporate headquarters dictate many of the essential equipment choices to maintain consistency across locations. This ensures uniform quality, brand standards, and operational efficiency throughout the franchise network. Typically, corporate will provide a list of approved vendors and specific models for key items, such as:

1. POS systems
   Franchises often require a uniform POS system across all locations to ensure seamless data integration and reporting. This allows corporate to track sales metrics, manage promotions, and analyze overall performance consistently.

2. Fryers and grills
   Equipment like fryers, grills, and other kitchen appliances are often standardized to ensure that food quality remains the same, whether it's a burger or fries being prepared in New York or Los Angeles. Corporate mandates specific brands or models that meet their safety and performance standards.

3. Menu boards and kiosks
   In most cases, corporate will also specify digital menu boards and self-service kiosks, ensuring that the brand’s design language and customer ordering process are consistent. These systems are often integrated with the corporate marketing strategy, allowing for synchronized promotional updates across all locations.

4. Food prep and storage equipment
   Items such as refrigeration units, prep stations, and warming stations may also be chosen by corporate to ensure food safety and efficiency. Consistency in food handling practices is critical for protecting the brand’s reputation and complying with health standards.

Areas of flexibility for franchisees

While corporate controls many equipment decisions, franchisees typically have some flexibility in selecting non-essential or location-specific equipment. This allows franchisees to optimize their locations based on local demand, operational needs, or budget constraints. Areas where franchisees might have flexibility include:

1. Additional beverage options
   Some franchises allow flexibility in the choice of beverage dispensers or coffee machines, enabling franchisees to cater to local preferences or expand their drink offerings beyond the standard corporate menu.

2. Seating and customer experience enhancements
   While the core layout and design may follow corporate guidelines, franchisees can often choose seating options or supplemental equipment that enhances the front of house experience, such as upgraded beverage stations or specialized dessert machines.

3. Energy-efficient appliances
   In regions where energy costs are higher, franchisees may have the option to select energy-efficient versions of essential equipment. This can lead to long-term cost savings and help with sustainability goals without compromising corporate requirements for food quality.

4. Local vendor relationships
   For non-essential items, franchisees can often source from local vendors, whether for maintenance, cleaning equipment, or small-scale kitchen tools. This can be a cost-effective way to customize the operation to better suit the specific needs of the location.

By carefully balancing corporate mandates with available flexibility, franchisees can ensure that their equipment not only meets brand standards but also caters to the unique needs of their market, maximizing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Key factors to evaluate when choosing equipment for maximum efficiency and technological leverage

Selecting the right equipment for your fast food franchise goes beyond simply meeting operational needs. It’s also about investing in technology and solutions that will maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline operations. When evaluating equipment choices, consider these key factors to give your business the greatest technological advantage:

1. Speed and throughput capacity

Fast food success hinges on speed, so it’s crucial to evaluate how quickly equipment can handle high-volume orders. Look for appliances like high-capacity fryers, convection ovens, or automated beverage dispensers that are specifically designed to keep up with peak demand without sacrificing food quality. Consider:

• Batch size and cooking time: Evaluate equipment based on how quickly it can process large batches. For instance, high-speed ovens or multi-basket fryers can drastically reduce wait times.

• Order processing speed: POS systems and kiosks should process orders efficiently, ensuring quick payment, fast order transmission to the kitchen, and accurate fulfillment.

2. Energy efficiency and sustainability

Energy costs can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Choosing energy-efficient equipment can lead to long-term savings, especially in high-use items like refrigeration units, fryers, and ovens. Many franchises also place a growing emphasis on sustainability, making it worthwhile to invest in eco-friendly technology. Key considerations include:

• Energy star ratings: Equipment with Energy Star certification meets strict efficiency guidelines, which can lower utility bills and reduce your environmental footprint.

• Energy management systems: Some advanced systems can monitor equipment usage and provide data on energy consumption, helping you optimize performance and reduce unnecessary energy use.

3. Automation and integration with technology

Automation is transforming the fast food industry by reducing labor costs, improving consistency, and enhancing the customer experience. When evaluating equipment, look for options that integrate with your technology stack, such as:

• POS and kiosk integration: Ensure that all ordering systems, including POS and self-service kiosks, are fully integrated with kitchen displays and back-end systems. This prevents delays and errors in order processing.

• Automated cooking and prep equipment: Some appliances, like robotic fryers or smart grills, use sensors and timers to cook food with precision and minimal human intervention, improving consistency and freeing up staff for other tasks.

When discussing the use of technology and automation at White Castle, Jamie Richardson, vice president of marketing and public relations, shared, “What we’ve seen over the years is when we bring technology in it doesn’t replace jobs; it really helps you raise the bar on your hospitality and customer focus. Our expectation is jobs would remain at the same level, but it would change some of the work and make it easier to some degree.”

4. Ease of maintenance and durability

Downtime caused by broken equipment can hurt your revenue and slow operations, so it’s essential to choose durable, reliable machines that are easy to maintain. When evaluating equipment:

• Durability ratings: Look for equipment designed for heavy use in high-volume settings, ensuring that it will last longer without frequent repairs.

• Ease of cleaning and maintenance: Choose equipment that is easy to disassemble, clean, and repair. Self-cleaning models or those with minimal maintenance needs can save time and reduce labor costs.

5. Scalability and future-proofing

Your equipment should be able to grow with your business and adapt to future technological advancements. Investing in scalable, upgradable solutions ensures that you won’t have to replace major systems as your franchise expands or as new technologies emerge. Consider:

• Modular systems: Opt for equipment that can be expanded or upgraded as demand increases, such as modular fryers or prep stations that can be added to over time.

• Compatibility with future tech: Ensure that your POS, kiosks, and kitchen appliances are compatible with future software updates or new devices that may be introduced by the franchise or corporate office.

6. Space efficiency

Space is often limited in fast food kitchens, so it’s important to select equipment that maximizes your available footprint. Opt for space-saving designs that still deliver high performance, allowing you to make the most of every square foot. Consider:

• Multi-function equipment: Appliances that serve multiple purposes, like combination ovens or refrigerated prep tables, can reduce the need for separate machines and free up valuable kitchen space.

• Vertical storage: Look for options like vertical refrigeration or stacked cooking equipment that allow you to use height rather than floor space.

7. Customer experience enhancement

Certain equipment choices can directly influence the customer experience, whether by speeding up service or offering new conveniences. Consider how technology can elevate your service:

• Interactive digital menu boards: Beyond displaying your menu, some digital boards can integrate with customer apps or suggest complementary items, boosting upselling opportunities.

• Touchless technology: With an increasing focus on hygiene, touchless beverage dispensers, payment systems, and self-service kiosks can enhance the customer experience while reducing contact points.

By thoroughly evaluating equipment across these areas, you can make choices that not only meet your operational needs but also position your business for long-term success through efficiency and advanced technology.

Final thoughts

In both the front and back of house, having the right equipment is essential for fast food restaurants to operate smoothly and meet customer demands. From corporate-mandated appliances to flexible options for franchise owners, the choice of equipment can significantly impact service speed, food quality, and overall efficiency. Ensuring that all necessary tools, from POS systems and beverage dispensers in the front to fryers and convection ovens in the back, are in place will not only streamline operations but also enhance customer satisfaction. Ultimately, investing in the right equipment is key to driving success in the fast-paced world of fast food!