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Cafés need to do a lot from a small footprint, quickly.
Most cafés serve hot drinks, cold drinks, cakes and light meals from one counter and a small kitchen. The secret is equipment that does its job fast, fits the space and looks good where customers can see it.
| Area | Equipment | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | Coffee machines, water boilers | Tea and coffee are usually your highest-margin sales |
| Counter | Countertop display fridges, upright display fridges | Cakes, sandwiches and drinks on show sell themselves |
| Hot food | Contact grills, microwaves, convection ovens | Toasties, paninis, jacket potatoes and bakes |
| Hot holding | Pie cabinets and heated displays | Grab-and-go hot food at the counter |
| Storage | Under counter fridges and upright fridges | Milk, fillings and back stock close to hand |
| Wash-up | Undercounter dishwashers or glasswashers | Cups, saucers and plates back in service in minutes |
| Hygiene | Hand wash sinks | Required for staff hand washing |
A well-stocked display fridge by the till is one of the easiest ways to lift the average spend, because customers add a drink or a cake while they wait.
Keep display fridges away from ovens and direct sun, and check they are rated for the room temperature in your café. Glass-door coolers work harder than back-of-house fridges.
Most cafés need a coffee machine or water boiler, a display fridge, a contact grill or panini press, a commercial microwave, under counter or upright fridges, a dishwasher or glasswasher and a hand wash sink.
Many cafés use both. The coffee machine handles espresso drinks, while a water boiler supplies tea, Americanos and hot water without slowing the coffee machine down.
Start with how many lines you want to show. A countertop display suits cakes and a few sandwiches. An upright display fridge holds drinks and a full lunch range.
Much café equipment plugs into 13 amp sockets, but larger coffee machines and dishwashers can need a dedicated supply. Check each product page and ask an electrician how many appliances your circuits can take.
