Starting a restaurant? Think big when it comes to appliances

For those who have true passion and dedication, starting a restaurant is an exciting business opportunity. It's a notoriously challenging profession, but there are things you can do to help ensure that your business grows and thrives. In short, if you plan ahead, your chances for success are far better.

Restaurants don't grow by enthusiasm alone. It's essential to have not just equipment, but the right equipment in your kitchen - appliances that can handle restaurant-sized crowds while turning out consistent results. If you can't meet the demand and give your customers a reliable product, you're running the risk of having a short-lived dream.

When you're outfitting your new restaurant's kitchen, be sure you pay careful attention to these particularly important appliances:

* Ranges. Depending on what kind of restaurant you have, this is going to be the center of the action. Make sure that any range you consider has the ability to handle orders from a full-capacity crowd in your establishment. Not only that, but make sure that it is easy to clean and reliable.

* Ovens. Whether you're baking, warming or broiling, ovens are integral to a restaurant business. Part of considering what ovens to buy depends on what kind of food you'll be serving, so it's important to have an idea of what kind of menu you'll offer (and whether you'll be changing, and if so, how often). The kind of food you hope to serve will help you determine just how much oven space you'll need to keep things running smoothly.

* Refrigeration. Making the right refrigerator choice will depend on how big your restaurant is. For some small businesses, a solid-door cooler might be sufficient, but for larger establishments, a walk-in cooler falls on the must-have list. You'll also need to consider whether you need a freezer.

* Ice machines. It might be one of those little things that you take for granted, but make no mistake - you're going to need a commercial ice machine. Basic estimates for how much ice you'll need vary from 1.5 pounds per person in a restaurant to up to 3 pounds per seat in a bar. Commercial ice machines give you the ability to meet that demand with no problem.

* Dishwashers. The demands of a restaurant can't be met by any old dishwasher. High-power and high-capacity are non-negotiable attributes of a restaurant kitchen dishwasher. Getting plates gleaming and glasses spotless will give your customers a good impression, and a restaurant-grade dishwasher will help sanitize dishes as well.

With these appliances in place, your restaurant will have the right building blocks for success. You'll need to fill in with all the tools necessary to the trade, a good menu, strong customer service and a real devotion to making your business a success.