Essential Equipment for Opening a Deli

Opening a deli that serves cold cuts, sandwiches, and similar items requires a variety of equipment designed for efficient food prep, storage, and customer service. Below is a list of the key equipment you’ll need to operate your deli, along with recommended brands and pricing ranges.

**1. Commercial Refrigerators/Freezers

Purpose:

  • To store cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, and other perishable ingredients.

Recommended Brands:

  • True Manufacturing (known for durability and energy efficiency)
  • Turbo Air (offers energy-efficient and cost-effective models)
  • Frigidaire Commercial (reliable and affordable options)

Pricing:

  • True Refrigeration: $1,800 – $5,000 (depending on size)
  • Turbo Air: $1,500 – $3,500
  • Frigidaire Commercial: $900 – $2,500

Manufacturer Contact Info:

2. Sandwich Prep Table / Salad Bar

Purpose:

  • A refrigerated prep table is used to keep sandwich fillings, vegetables, and condiments cool while allowing easy access for assembly.

Recommended Brands:

  • True Manufacturing (reliable and robust)
  • Delfield (known for high-quality prep tables)
  • Cecilware (affordable options)

Pricing:

  • True Manufacturing: $2,000 – $4,500
  • Delfield: $2,200 – $3,800
  • Cecilware: $1,300 – $2,500

Manufacturer Contact Info:

3. Commercial Slicer

Purpose:

  • To slice meats, cheeses, and other deli ingredients quickly and efficiently.

Recommended Brands:

  • Hobart (known for heavy-duty and reliable slicers)
  • Berkel (high-quality, durable slicers)
  • Omcan (affordable, reliable option for smaller delis)

Pricing:

  • Hobart: $2,000 – $5,500
  • Berkel: $1,500 – $4,000
  • Omcan: $500 – $1,500

Manufacturer Contact Info:

4. Commercial Oven or Toaster Oven

Purpose:

  • To toast bread and warm sandwiches for customers.

Recommended Brands:

  • Waring (affordable and durable for smaller operations)
  • Panasonic (efficient and reliable)
  • TurboChef (for quick and even toasting)

Pricing:

  • Waring: $500 – $1,500
  • Panasonic: $400 – $1,000
  • TurboChef: $2,000 – $4,000

Manufacturer Contact Info:

5. Bread Slicing Machine

Purpose:

  • To slice bread evenly and consistently for sandwiches.

Recommended Brands:

  • Berkel (trusted for high-performance slicing)
  • Hobart (known for durable and efficient slicers)
  • FMA (affordable and reliable)

Pricing:

  • Berkel: $1,500 – $3,000
  • Hobart: $2,000 – $5,500
  • FMA: $500 – $1,500

Manufacturer Contact Info:

6. Commercial Dishwasher

Purpose:

  • To efficiently wash dishes, trays, and utensils used in daily deli operations.

Recommended Brands:

  • Hobart (well-known for high-performance dishwashers)
  • Jackson (provides efficient and reliable machines)
  • Meiko (offers energy-efficient and high-capacity models)

Pricing:

  • Hobart: $2,000 – $6,000
  • Jackson: $1,500 – $4,000
  • Meiko: $2,500 – $6,000

Manufacturer Contact Info:

7. Cash Register / POS System

Purpose:

  • To process transactions and manage customer orders.

Recommended Brands:

  • Square (affordable, flexible, and easy to use)
  • Toast POS (restaurant-focused, offers advanced features)
  • Lightspeed (ideal for multi-location management)

Pricing:

  • Square: $0 – $500 for hardware, software starting at $0/month
  • Toast POS: $0 – $500 for hardware, software starting at $69/month
  • Lightspeed: Starting at $69/month, hardware from $300

Manufacturer Contact Info:

8. Ice Maker

Purpose:

  • To provide ice for drinks and food storage needs.

Recommended Brands:

  • Manitowoc (high-quality, reliable ice makers)
  • Scotsman (energy-efficient and durable)
  • Hoshizaki (known for efficient ice production)

Pricing:

  • Manitowoc: $2,000 – $4,000
  • Scotsman: $1,500 – $3,500
  • Hoshizaki: $1,500 – $4,000

Manufacturer Contact Info:

Summary:

To outfit a 1,700 sq. ft. deli, the total estimated cost for equipment would range from $15,000 to $35,000, depending on the quality, brand, and whether the equipment is new or gently used.

This estimate includes all necessary equipment such as refrigerators, prep tables, slicers, ovens, dishwashers, and POS systems, as well as installation and miscellaneous costs. It ensures that The Goat Deli will be equipped to serve customers efficiently while maintaining high-quality food standards.

Conclusion:

To successfully open a deli, you’ll need a combination of high-quality equipment, reliable POS systems, and efficient inventory management tools. The equipment listed above is commonly used by national franchise delis and provides the foundation for smooth daily operations. Each brand and manufacturer offers excellent support, so selecting the right combination based on your specific needs and budget will set your deli up for long-term success.

The Goat Deli