How to Open a Breakfast Restaurant: Concept & Equipment Guide
Breakfast restaurants have grown in popularity and variety. No longer limited to diners serving eggs, pancakes, and bacon, modern breakfast restaurants offer a multitude of menu styles to start each customer's day.
This article covers the essential steps to starting a breakfast restaurant, explores contemporary breakfast concepts, and provides a guide to buying breakfast restaurant equipment.
Steps to Opening a Breakfast Restaurant
These steps outline a general starting point to get your breakfast restaurant off the ground:
- Develop a concept: Find an inspiring idea or style, and take time to build your breakfast restaurant menu, brand, and decor around it
- Analyze your location: Evaluate the demographics of your region to discover how you can best serve your community
- List equipment needs: Based on your menu and brand, find out what kitchen equipment, furniture, and tableware you'll need
- Finalize your budget: Consider fixed and variable costs, such as insurance, permits, equipment, building, labor, and ingredients
- Create a business plan: Organize your research and planning to clarify your business goals and investor opportunities
To learn more about how to start a restaurant, visit our startup guide.
Popular Breakfast Restaurant Styles
Breakfast Diners: Known for their community feel and nostalgic charm, classic diners often feature retro decor and bar seating. Their menus usually include bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, waffles, and pancakes. Some diners only serve food during the morning, while others offer all-day breakfast.
Specialty Breakfasts: These restaurants often offer traditional breakfast foods but with a more focused menu. They may feature signature items such as omelets, crepes, bowls, or smoothies with gourmet ingredients.
Bakeries & Cafes: Known for their drink offerings and freshly baked breads, bakeries and cafes often serve pastries and breakfast sandwiches. Some smaller cafes partner with local bakeries to serve fresh bread, while selling their own drinks.
Regional Breakfasts: These restaurants offer breakfast options influenced by the local food culture. Examples include breakfast burritos stuffed with red or green chilies in New Mexico or New York-style bagels with lox and cream cheese.
Breakfast Restaurant Equipment
When you're selecting equipment for your new restaurant, consider your available space, expected output, menu items, workflow, and interior design. Browse the following categories to find the right equipment for your concept:
Back-of-House Breakfast Equipment
Storage & Food Prep
- Refrigeration: Store perishable ingredients like milk, eggs, meat, and fruit
- Storage bins & shelving: Keep dry goods organized and safe
- Work tables or prep tables: Provide stainless steel surfaces or refrigerated bases for prep tasks
- Cutting boards and knives: Support precise cutting
- Food processors: Efficiently chop, grate, or slice produce and cheese
- Mixers: Combine pancake, waffle, or muffin batter
- Slicers: Cut meats, cheeses, or tomatoes
- Blenders: Create smoothies, protein shakes, or hollandaise bases
Cooking
- Griddles: Cook pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hash browns
- Ranges (gas or electric): Boil grits, saute vegetables, and more
- Ovens (convection or combi): Bake biscuits, casseroles, and pastries
- Fryers: Prepare home fries, chicken, or donuts
- Holding cabinets & warmers: Keep cooked food hot before plating
- Waffle makers: Serve hot waffles quickly
- Crepe makers: Provide round molds for uniform crepes
- Egg stations: Fry, scramble, or poach eggs in bulk
- Toasters: Toast bread, bagels, and buns
Dish Room
- Dish tables: Organize clean and dirty dishes
- Commercial dishwashers: Feature high-temp or chemical-sanitizing models
- Dish racks: Hold plates, glasses, silverware, and sheet pans for efficient cleaning
- Grease traps: Prevent fat, oil, and grease buildup in wastewater
Washing & Sanitation
- Hand sinks: Ensure proper staff hygiene
- 3-compartment sinks: Wash, rinse, and sanitize smallwares
- Mop sinks & janitor carts: Maintain clean floors and surfaces
Front-of-House Breakfast Equipment
Dinnerware
- Plates: Present appetizers, meals, and sides
- Bowls: Hold cereal, fruit, and soup
- Coffee mugs: Made of ceramic, melamine, glass, or plastic, with easy-to-grip handles
- Juice glasses: Serve orange, apple, or tomato juice
- Dessert plates: Provide space for cinnamon rolls, pies, or pastries
Tableware & Flatware
- Flatware: Forks, knives, and spoons for any style
- Condiment caddies: Hold salt, pepper, jelly, and sauces
- Napkin dispensers & napkins: Used for table or counter service
- Sugar caddies & syrup dispensers: Organize raw sugar, sweeteners, creamer, and more
Serving Items
- Serving trays & tray stands: Let servers carry multiple dishes to the table
- Coffee supplies: Prepare and serve coffee in bulk
- Pitchers: Hold water or juice for table use or refills
- Bus tubs & carts: Ensure quick table clearing
Furniture
- Dining tables: Seat individuals or groups
- Chairs: Provide durable, comfortable seating
- Booths: Offer cozy, space-efficient seating
- Barstools: Accommodate counter or bar seating
- Host/greeter stands: Hold menus and control customer flow
How Much Does Breakfast Restaurant Equipment Cost?
If you're buying equipment for a full breakfast restaurant setup, your final price tag will depend on factors such as menu, expected output, and whether you're buying used or new equipment. To find deals on foodservice supplies, shop our clearance section or our scratch and dent store.
Find Equipment at KaTom
KaTom offers leading breakfast restaurant equipment brands for back- and front-of-house use. Learn more about starting and equipping your restaurant at our learning center.
