Whether you are a seasoned business owner who needs some pieces of catering equipment or just starting your own catering business, buying used catering equipment has many advantages.

The Advantages of Running a Catering Business

They say that the best time to start a business is during a down economy. There’s less competition, the cost is less, and above all you are creating a job.

If you have a passion for cooking and entertaining a catering business may be right for you. As a caterer you will plan menus for all kinds of clientele from company picnics to weddings.

The great thing about catering is that there will always be a market – mostly because people love food and parties. In the U.S. alone catering is responsible for about $5 billion in revenue making it a very lucrative business opportunity.

The other great thing about catering is that there are a variety of clients to choose from. You can stick to corporate picnics and business meetings or venture out and cater for yachts, special occasions, sunset cruises, and dinner theaters.

Necessary Equipment for a Catering Business

The most important thing you need in a catering business is a commercial kitchen. These allow you to make large amounts of food at once at a very rapid pace. Furthermore, they are big enough to handle several employees working at once. The equipment inside a commercial kitchen can vary depending on what kind of food you will be creating however the commercial basics are mostly the same: refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, sinks, etc.

The second most important pieces of equipment you will need are a phone line and a delivery vehicle.. Other than that all you need are basic office supplies.

Environmental and Economic Advantages

A lot of oil goes into making just about everything – including catering equipment. Buying used catering equipment helps Mother Nature out in a variety of ways including decreasing the use of oil for manufacturing and transportation. Furthermore, using the greener alternative is a good way to attract some business. There are several catering companies who market themselves on the sole basis of being completely green.

Catering equipment can be very expensive even at warehouse prices. Because catering businesses need mostly commercial kitchen equipment, the cost can sky rocket depending on size and capabilities. A simple ice machine that has never been used can easily cost you upwards of $5,000. Similarly, commercial friers, outdoor grills, refrigerators, bar equipment, and microwaves can cost you hundreds of dollars. This is not even including the cost of basic appliances, cooking utensils, and smaller purchases like liquid dispensers.

Buying used catering equipment allows you to save a lot of money while still getting quality equipment, thus drastically cutting the costs of starting your own catering business.

Business Advantages

If you are looking into running a catering business there are some serious costs you need to take into consideration. This includes equipment, recurring utility bills, property taxes, random costs of equipment repair, promotional costs, the lease of space, the hiring of qualified personal cooks and other employees, the cost of the deliver vehicle including transportation, and above all insurance. Needless to say, cutting the costs any way that you can is imperative for any business owner.

The cost of catering equipment is easily one of the biggest expenses you will have, and it is just as necessary as your office supplies or computers. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest costs to cut if you buy used.

To put it in perspective, purchasing used catering equipment will save you thousands of dollars and only only need basic repair costs over the next few years. Furthermore, the best thing about catering equipment is that many times people don’t even see it, therefore your clients won’t even notice if your equipment isn’t the latest model. As long as the catering equipment you purchase can cook properly and get the job done it really doesn’t matter whether you buy new or used.

Where to Find Used Catering Equipment

Although you never know what you can find on Craig’s List, finding used catering equipment locally may prove to be difficult. Save yourself the trouble and order straight from companies that are dedicated to this market.

A City Discount – A City Discount prides itself on being the primary source for restaurant and catering equipment. Although they sell new equipment, you can also find several used pieces at a great price.

Gala Source – Gala Source allows you to buy the latest equipment while slashing thousands of dollars from the list price. They provide anything from bar and catering equipment to commercial appliances and furniture. In short, Gala Source offers its customers anything they could possibly need for running a successful catering business at an incredibly low price.

Catering Equipment World – Similar to Gala Source, Catering Equipment World offers a wide variety of commercial appliances that are necessary for running a successful and profitable catering business. Catering Equipment World scours the web for new and used catering supplies from a variety of retailers to provide it’s customers with the lowest possible cost.

A Best Kitchen Restaurant and Catering Supplies – A Best Kitchen offers a wide variety of commercial supplies at wholesale and used prices for restaurants and catering businesses. You can easily find a wide variety of high quality used catering equipment at a great price.

Warnings

Like with anything that you may buy locally, make sure to check out the catering equipment in person before you actually buy it. Remember, some catering equipment can be very dangerous so it is imperative that you buy machines that function properly, both for the success of your business and your safety.

If you are purchasing from an online source make sure to carefully scrutinize the equipment and test it in a safe location. Also keep all receipts and paperwork in case you need to return it.

The food service industry is a competitive and cost conscious environment that is subject to diverse factors that can impede its profitability.  Basic food or supply prices can increase without warning due to crop failures, socio-political issues in regions where wholesale supplies are derived and even recent increases in the cost of fuel can impact the profitability margins of catering companies.  As with any service based business in the new economy, the businesses that not only survive but thrive are those that can strategize with regards to cost saving measures.

Catering equipment is essential to the operation of any food service provider.  There is simply no way around it.  Whether providing heater boxes (which keep delivered foods hot) or chaffers for buffet service rentals, and even items such as knives and serving utensils catering equipment costs money to acquire.  Consider that even after you have purchased your catering equipment that there is a replacement cost over the long term to buy new items to replace lost, stolen or damaged equipment.   Constant replacement of equipment can quickly eat away at narrow profit margins for the professional caterer.  More businesses are investigating the purchase of second hand catering equipment to reduce operational costs.

Actual Savings

While the rate of economy for purchasing second hand catering equipment will depend on the actual item purchased, the average savings when choosing used versus retail purchase of the equipment is at least 50% off the cost of new purchases.   In addition a frugal business owner will also save applicable taxes which do not apply on the sale of used equipment privately which adds an additional average of 10% savings.  If given the opportunity to save 60% on restaurant equipment there are few small businesses that would refuse.   It is an excellent opportunity to make investments in quality equipment for a fraction of the cost.

Consider also the retail cost of popular brand name restaurant and catering equipment.  A small business that takes into consideration the tremendous savings can purchase equipment that is better quality.  For instance if the opportunity exists to purchase a prestige knife set at full retail price for over $3000 the average business owner would likely make due with a more economical option, purchasing an average quality set for $1500.  However if the opportunity to buy the prestige set of chef’s knives used for $1500 then the owner is well served by the discount and the quality of the equipment he is investing it.  Purchasing second hand catering equipment used is worth the effort of sourcing.

Where To Look

Having decided to take advantage of purchasing second hand catering equipment to benefit your business, the next step is to actually source the used equipment.  Where do you begin?  One of the best places to find used catering equipment is online.  Websites such as Craigslist© or Kijiji™ (Ebay® Classifieds) are an excellent location to find pictures and listings of available used equipment.  Most listings include more than one photograph of the unit allowing the potential buyer to scrutinize it online before contacting the seller.  If using Ebay to source second hand catering equipment there is an additional convenience as the item can be purchased online and shipping estimates can be received from the seller, with transportation and shipping of the item to be arranged online between buyer and seller.  It is a very easy way to find high quality catering equipment at a fraction of the cost of purchasing brand new supplies.

In terms of purchase assurances Ebay does not offer any sort of buyers insurance and again the onus is on “buying beware” and common sense when purchasing items online.  It is always recommended (particularly for a larger equipment unit or one that is quite expensive) to inspect onsite prior to purchasing.  However this is may not be possible as the buyer and seller may live a good distance away.  Shipping insurance can be purchased privately with the seller which would cover the replacement costs based on valuation should the shipment be misplaced or damaged during shipment.

Safety First

When examining the option of purchasing second hand catering equipment it is important to examine the equipment for any flaws.  While the expectation within the industry is that used equipment be sold under a certain quality standard for safety, there really is no guarantee that the seller will abide by that level of business integrity.  It is best to assume that the equipment is being sold for a reason.  While many companies opt to upgrade their equipment and invest in new styles or brands for their catering business, the reality is that if there was no issue with the equipment the seller would have likely held on to the unit as a “back up” or additional item for larger functions.

When purchasing any item used it is in a common sense “buyer beware” environment and it is the same with business to business purchases as well.  Assume that there may be a safety issue and inspect the item carefully not only to protect yourself from making a poor investment but also from potential liability.  A pot with a crack may leak and injure an employee which would create a legal issue, particularly if it was known that the article was a second hand item.  The onus is on the owner to take the appropriate safety measures.

Some types of catering equipment may not be desirable to be purchased used.  However items such as cutlery, dishes, serving utensils and platters, china, grills, hot boxes, chaffers, knives and more can be easily sourced online for a fraction of the cost of new purchases.  Items such as stoves and large gas appliances should always be inspected by a qualified technician before purchasing however to ensure proper functioning and that the unit continues to meet specific safety standards required by the industry.  Failure to ensure that all equipment meets safety standards can inevitably leave the catering owner subject to liability for any damages caused by faulty equipment.

If you are thinking of buying used restaurant equipment then you should know about the pros and cons first so you can decide if it is worth the investment. If you decide to buy second hand restaurant equipment then this can save you a lot of money that you can put to use in other areas.

The second hand equipment may have only been used for a year or so before they decided to auction it off so if you decide to go to a restaurant auction to get the used catering equipment then first of all do some homework and try to find out how long it was open for. Then have a good look at the equipment and look around for signs of wear and tear and rust and also check them out for any missing parts.
Then you can start to haggle with the dealers of the used restaurant equipment as they are usually open to offer. Remember that they need to get rid of their equipment and that they may take a lot lower price than they originally asked for.
If you want to buy several pieces of used restaurant equipment then don’t be afraid to ask for a freebie like a toaster or mixer to be thrown in for good measure.
When you decide on what second hand restaurant equipment that you want then you may want to get a loan and this could range from around $100,000 to start up. I know this sounds like an awful lot of money but it can run out quite quickly when you have lots of things to purchase. There will be items like grills, coolers and stoves and they can come to a lot of money. If you take a look at how expensive new restaurant equipment can be then you will see what I am talking about.

It is wise if you can have some sort of warranty attached to what you want to buy but this may be hard to get, as usually used second hand restaurant equipment is sold as it is. That usually means that once it is took out of the premises then it is yours no matter what goes wrong with it.  This is the risk that you may have to take if you want to save money. Usually used restaurant equipment is quite hard wearing though and it is easy to replace any small parts.

It can happen sometimes that you have to spend more money than you intended when you purchase used restaurant equipment because if it should breakdown then you have to have it mended. If you can buy gas ranges and ovens then these usually have a very long life and are more suitable. If any of the knobs are missing then these can be replaced quite easily. Electric models are not that well suited for a restaurant as they seem to break more easily. Also gas fryers are much better than electric ones. So you can see that it could be a wise choice to buy used catering equipment.

Whether or not you are operating a large or small catering business you will need to ensure that you have enough supplies.  There are certain catering supplies that you will need to replace during a certain period of time.  In order to save a lot of money you should look for second hand catering equipment.

One of the benefits of using catering equipment that is used it that you will find that it is 50-70% cheaper than full price equipment.  This is very useful because it means that your business will save money in the long run.  Anything that you can do to save money will help your bottom line.   The bottom line is how successful businesses need to learn how to operate properly.

Different catering equipment will cover a whole host of different things such as chef knives, appliances, glass washers and trays.  It is always good to find a cheap supplier that can offer you this equipment for a relatively low price.  If you have multiple suppliers it can sometimes be difficult to manage different aspects of your business.

If you are looking to purchase used catering equipment online it is important that you look around and do a fair bit of research.  There are many different companies that are available that offer catering equipment for people who are looking to buy it.  One consideration that you need to make is if you need to buy wholesale or not.  This cost decision will usually depend on the actual size of your company.  If you are looking for a few pieces of equipment then you won’t need to worry about finding a large supplier.

Once you have figured out where you are going to buy your equipment from it is important that you make a list of the different equipment that you will need.  You should look up everything that you are looking to replace so you can place an accurate order to the online website.

Given the advancements in technology, buying second hand catering equipment online has become very easy.  The process is very smooth and you will be able to find different products that can work for you.  There are many different options that you have available when it comes to used catering equipment so make sure you take your time and don’t rush into things.  Remember not to get pressured by pushy sales people when you are shopping for equipment.

10 Tips for Successful Catering Business

If you are running a catering business or restaurant it is important for you to find equipment at a discounted price.  There are many different options that are available when it comes to buying your equipment.  The best way to purchase catering equipment for sale is to look for a competitive offer.

In the catering industry it is all about margins.  People who run successful catering businesses know the importance of getting a good deal on a product.  It is important for you to get the best price for any equipment you purchase.  This will directly affect your bottom line depending on the price you pay for your equipment.

Anyone who is new to the catering industry will probably find it extremely daunting at first.  It can be very difficult to find quality products that are offered at affordable prices.  It takes research and commitment to get the best possible price on any equipment that you choose.

Catering accessories is an area that can be very tricky to deal with at times.  The first thing you need to do when purchasing your accessories is determine which kind of equipment you need.  By prioritizing your equipment needs it will help you avoid purchasing equipment that will just sit on the shelf and remain there.

The best way to establish your equipment needs is to determine the type of food you are going to be preparing.  If you are going to operating a successful bar or pub you will need to ensure that you have extra glasses.  Failing to have enough glasses or cutlery can cost you business in the short term.

Purchasing the right amount of equipment for your establishment will take experience.  If you have an established restaurant or catering business it will be relatively easy to determine the amount of equipment you need.  The tricky part is when dealing with a brand new business.

When purchasing your catering equipment it is important for you to determine the right intersection between price and value.  Obviously if you are in a financially difficult situation, you will need to look for discount equipment that is available.

Finding the right catering equipment for sale will take some research.  There are many different suppliers that are available on the web.  It is important for you to try and find something that can offer you the most value.  Take your time to determine a catering supplier that will be able to give you the best price on your equipment.

Anytime you are looking to purchase catering equipment you will need to decide whether you want to purchase new or used equipment.  While there are benefits to buying both types of equipment, if you are on a budget or looking to save money you should buy reconditioned catering equipment.  Reconditioned equipment will help you save thousands of dollars in your catering purchase.

Most entrepreneurs will tell you that saving costs is one of the keys to running a successful business.  This is especially true in the catering business where margins are very small.  Saving money on your catering equipment will directly affect your bottom line.  Because everyone in a business revolves around cash flow, it is important for you to decrease your costs.

Just like any equipment, used catering equipment can be up to 50% cheaper than new equipment.  Once a piece of equipment has been used once, the price on the equipment immediately drops.  For this reason you are able to purchase used equipment that is relatively new and in good condition.

A lot of second hand catering equipment comes from restaurants and businesses that have gone out of business.  These businesses are forced to auction off their equipment that they used in the restaurant.  The catering equipment is then taken and refurbished to look brand new.

It is quite common for people to get reconditioned catering equipment and think that it is brand new.  The level of refurbishing that is done of the equipment will help determine the value.  You should be sure to always purchase used equipment that has a warranty on it.  This will ensure that you don’t get a faulty piece of equipment that stops working after a couple of months.

The companies that sell used catering equipment for sale are often specialized in repairing and recondition the equipment so it is in perfect condition.  These companies will then heavily discount the item and sell it as used equipment.  Because these companies work in such large numbers, you can often get a better deal if you purchase a large volume of catering equipment.

Anyone who is looking to buy reconditioned catering equipment needs to do their research and look up the different retailers that are available.  Remember that the more money you can save on your catering equipment, the better your bottom line will be.  In order for you to run a successful business it is important to get the most value for your money.

If you are running a restaurant it is important that you have the right equipment.  Choosing the right catering equipment for your business is very important if you are going to run a successful business.  You will need to manage to find a good balance between the price and performance of the equipment that you use.

In most commercial kitchens you will need to have proper ovens, refrigeration units, freezers, dish washing units, or glass washers.  These are just a few of the many items that you will need in a proper kitchen.  It is important for you to purchase items that can offer you the best value under your current budget.

You will usually find that most kitchens will be dividing into three different sections.  The first section is the storage area.  This is where you will have your refrigeration and freezer units.  It will also have space to store your other food items.  The next area you have will be the preparation and cooking area.  This is where all the food gets prepared and cooked.  Finally, you will have the cleanup/washing up area that is where you do all the cleaning.

It is important for you to choose your equipment based on these three sections.  If you are looking to supply equipment for a new kitchen, you might want to discuss the layout with a kitchen designer.  They will be able to help you setup your stations to ensure that you have the maximum amount of efficiency.

The type of cooking appliances that you have in your kitchen will depend on the kind of food you are working with.  If you are operating a pub restaurant you will need to have a large volume of glassware available.  Because most of your patrons are going to be ordering drinks, it is important for you to have enough glasses to keep the pints flowing.

The dish-washing units are very important in a proper commercial kitchen.  If you run out of dishes you will end up losing business.  Having a proper industrial dish washer will ensure that you can get your dishes cleaned in a prompt and timely manner.

Anyone who is keen on purchasing reconditioned catering equipment online needs to focus on choosing the right equipment for their establishment.  Because there are many options available, it is important that you try and find equipment that offers you value.  Do your best to look around at the different suppliers that sell equipment online.

One of the keys to running a successful business is controlling fixed costs that are associated with the business.  In the restaurant industry one of the most expenses that you can have is equipment.  Buying commercial catering equipment is important if you are going to run a successful business.

Whether you are a seasoned catering veteran or a new entrant into the industry, it is important to buy your equipment at the lowest price.  You will need to have a full set of refrigeration units, ovens, and appliances and equipment. Depend on the type of operation you are running, you will also need to have utensils, cutlery and tableware for your business.

In order to reduce some of your costs it is important to only purchase equipment that you need.  This means refrain from getting the accessories that do not go along with your business plan.  You should also get equipment that will work best for your restaurant or catering establishment.

Anytime you are looking to catering equipment tools it is important that you consider your overall budget.  You budget will determine what kind of items you can afford to purchase.  You need to remember that just because an item is high priced doesn’t mean it has better quality.

You should do a detailed analysis of the total amount of space that you have available for the equipment.  Make sure that you don’t buy equipment that will not fit in your current working environment.  Remember that your kitchen design and layout should be built for functionality and effectiveness.

If you are starting a new restaurant you would have probably already talk to a commercial kitchen designer about the best layout for your kitchen.  This will ensure that you are able to fully utilize all of the space in your whole kitchen.  It will also make it easier to avoid accidents that do happen.

Anyone who doesn’t have experience purchasing commercial catering equipment should talk to a business owner that has experience.  It is important for you  to get advice from people who have used the equipment in the past.

The easiest way to purchase commercial catering equipment is on the internet through the different retailers that are available.  Be sure to do a thorough search on the web to find an equipment supplier that can offer you a low price for your goods.  Compare the various retailers to get the lowest price on your catering equipment.

One of the first things you will need to decide when purchasing catering equipment is whether to rent or buy.  Because catering equipment is such a large fixed cost, deciding whether you rent or buy equipment is very important.  While there are advantages to both, it is important to understand why people would choose catering equipment hire.

The first advantage to choosing to lease your equipment is that you have flexibility in your equipment.  You can experiment with different kinds of equipment and the setup of the equipment.  Leasing your equipment allows you to change your mind if you don’t like a piece of equipment, which would be very costly if you bought the unit outright.

Another reason why a lot of businesses choose to hire catering equipment is because it helps to maintain your cash flow.  Anyone who has run a successful business will tell you it is important to have a good cash flow.  Most businesses go bankrupt because they are not able to maintain positive cash flows for the business.

Leased equipment is a great way to experiment with different units to see if you like it.  If you want to try a new piece of equipment you can try using it for a short term lease and see if you want to buy it after.  A lot of businesses choose to lease units that they want to try out for the short term.

You will also get tax advantages to leasing the equipment for your business.  Most businesses use their leased equipment as a write of expense.  While you still get tax advantages with purchasing equipment through amortization, leasing is still beneficially to many business owners.

The final advantage that leasing commercial catering equipment has is the ability for you to discard the equipment once the lease is up and get another modern unit.  This is great if you are always looking for the newest and best equipment that is available.  When it comes to buying equipment, discarding equipment will mean that you will have to make another large investment to do your upgrades.

Anyone who is keen on finding a catering equipment hire needs to ensure they look up the different companies that are available.  If you are going to lease your catering equipment it is important that you compare the prices of the different leases that are available.  This will help you save even more money your equipment rentals.

If you are in the catering business or looking to get into the catering business it is important that you have good catering equipment.  Anyone who has been in the catering business for a while knows the importance of having good equipment to use.  Sometimes the difference between good and bad catering can be in the actual quality of the equipment that they are using.  People who are looking to buy equipment should consider purchasing used catering equipment.

One of the main advantages of used catering equipment is the fact that it is cheaper.  Sometimes the difference between success and failure can come down to your bottom line.  Anyone who has studied business can tell you that no matter how successful your business is, you need to learn how to control costs.  Managing costs will ensure that you are able to run at relatively successful business.

The best way to manage costs is to ensure that you find equipment that is cost effective.  Part of being cost effective means that you need to find quality low cost equipment.  This is where second hand equipment comes into play.  If you are looking to find low cost quality catering equipment there are many different second hand suppliers that you can use.

Anyone who has been in the catering equipment business is probably aware of the different equipment that they will need for their supplies.  Once you have a list of all the supplies that you need you can start looking around for different suppliers that can offer you the right equipment.

Buying the right equipment will often require you to have knowledge of the different equipment and brands that are available.  If you don’t have any industry knowledge about different second hand used catering equipment then you will need to do your research.  Don’t waste your time looking for the best product names, you should find out who offers the best products.

You can talk to different restaurants and find out which products they are using to for their equipment.  Buying high quality catering equipment will usually require you to have different industry knowledge about the equipment that is available for people to purchase.

Anyone who is looking to get used catering equipment needs to make sure that they do their homework.  Good research will ensure that you get the best equipment that is available.  Remember that the equipment you purchase will affect your bottom line, so choose carefully.