Starting a sandwich shop can be an exciting venture for any aspiring sandwich chef. The aroma of freshly baked bread, the satisfying crunch of crisp vegetables, and the delightful taste of melty cheese are just a few of the sensory delights that make a well-crafted sandwich a true culinary experience. But before you can transform your passion for delicious sandwiches into a thriving business, there's one crucial step: building a well-equipped kitchen. From the robust refrigeration that keeps ingredients at their peak to the specialised tools that ensure consistent quality in every sandwich, the right equipment is the foundation for success. With the right equipment, you can ensure your establishment is efficient, capable of producing delicious sandwiches, and ready to satisfy the demands of your customers.

Whether you're a restaurant owner or a passionate home cook ready to turn your passion into a business, this guide will delve into the essential equipment you'll need to ensure your shop becomes the go-to spot for satisfied lunch breaks. This guide will walk you through all the essential equipment you'll need, including disposable packaging solutions, to set your sandwich shop up for success.

Kitchen Equipment for Your Sandwich Shop

Refrigeration Units

Quality refrigeration is crucial for keeping your ingredients fresh. Cooksmill offers a wide range of refrigeration options for all your sandwich-making essentials. To ensure your ingredients remain fresh and your kitchen is organised, you'll need a combination of different fridges.

Our countertop preparation fridges are perfect for sandwich shops as they allow you to keep prepped ingredients on display in a cool setting while allowing customers to choose what they want in their sandwiches. Additionally, upright fridges are a good way to store extra ingredients, or even chest freezers for bulk ingredients.

Preparation Tables

Stainless steel prep tables are a must for sandwich assembly. They're durable, easy to clean, and provide a hygienic surface for food preparation. Our tables/benches are great options as they are designed to elevate your kitchen operations and create a workspace that embodies precision and functionality. These are the perfect addition to any commercial kitchen and can be especially useful in sandwich shops that require plenty of space to assemble sandwiches.

We have a great choice of wall or centre benches. Wall benches have an upstand on the back of the table to prevent food from going down the back. Centre benches, as the name suggests, are for use in the middle of the kitchen.

Veg Preparation Machines

Precision slicing machines are key for consistent slices of lettuce, tomatoes and other salad essentials for your sandwiches. A high-quality slicer can save you time and ensure consistency in your sandwiches.

Cooksmill offers a selection of high-quality veg prep machines from renowned brands like Robot Coupe, Sammic, and Fimar, ensuring you have access to the best equipment for your needs. These machines come in various sizes and capacities, catering to kitchens of all sizes and volumes. More importantly, they offer a diverse selection of blades and attachments, allowing you to tackle a wide range of vegetables and food products with ease, from julienning carrots to grating cheese.

Bread Oven

If you're baking bread in-house, a reliable oven is essential. Our range of convection ovens are popular for their even cooking and efficiency. These convection ovens are capable of tackling a vast range of dishes. But what sets them apart is their excellence in high-volume cooking. Unlike traditional ovens, convection ovens offer superior speed and efficiency, thanks to their built-in fans that circulate hot air throughout the cavity. This ensures even cooking, eliminates hot and cold spots, and significantly reduces cooking times.

Panini Presses/Grills

For hot sandwiches, panini presses and grills are essential. They can quickly and evenly grill sandwiches, adding that desirable crunch and melt to your sandwiches. Cooksmill has an impressive selection of high-quality panini presses and grills.

Our contact panini grills utilise a flat-top design that offers direct contact between your food and the heat source. This results in a perfectly seared exterior, locking in the natural flavours and juices of your ingredients. Our contact panini presses also have a non-stick cooking surface, making them effortless to clean and preventing food from sticking, ensuring consistent, mess-free cooking every single time.

Toasters

Alternatively, your customers would prefer toasted current teacakes, or toasted bread with cold fillings. Our range of toasters is a great option for your sandwich shop. Our commercial toasters are specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of busy kitchens. These aren't your average household models; they're robust and reliable, built to tackle high-volume bread toasting with ease. Whether you're crafting perfect golden toast for breakfast sandwiches, or toasting bagels for the perfect lunchtime sandwich, our commercial toasters deliver consistently delicious results every time.

Front-of-House Equipment for Your Sandwich Shop

Display Cases

Attractive display cases can entice customers with visuals of your ingredients and pre-made sandwiches. Refrigerated cases are essential for keeping items fresh. Designed to maximise food safety and presentation, Our versatile display solutions cater to all your culinary needs.

Our heated display cases offer advanced heating elements that gently maintain the ideal temperature for your hot sandwich items. This ensures they remain fresh, flavourful, and enticing to customers while minimising drying or burning. Our refrigerated display cases, on the other hand, utilise state-of-the-art cooling systems to keep your cold sandwich items perfectly chilled and safe for consumption.

Menu Displays

Having your sandwich menu on display in a highly visible way is essential. This ensures customers can see your sandwich offerings and don't have to spend lots of time trying to see what is available. There are many ways to display menus effectively. Whether you prefer a classic chalkboard display highlighting your specials or a classic tabletop menu to keep on your countertop.

Cooksmill offers classic table menu boards that are made from high-quality materials. They are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring they will last for a long period. Not only are these table displays practical, but they also add a rustic charm to any space and create a cosy and inviting atmosphere in your sandwich shop.

Take Out Packaging for Your Sandwich Shop

Sandwich Wraps and Paper

High-quality, grease-resistant sandwich wraps and paper are essential for presenting your sandwiches attractively and keeping them fresh. Whether it's a piping hot panini or a delectable grab-and-go cold sandwich, our comprehensive range of food bags offers a variety of versatile and cost-effective options, catering to both hot and cold sandwiches.

With an extensive selection of grease-resistant and eco-friendly options, we have a wide range for all your sandwich packaging needs. We also offer classic paper sheets, perfect for wrapping up various types of sandwiches.

Takeout Containers

For customers on the go, sturdy takeout containers that can accommodate different sandwich sizes and additional sides are a must. Our selection of biodegradable food cartons are made from highly durable, eco-friendly materials, and are perfect for keeping your sandwiches fresh and protected during delivery or takeaway. Many of these cartons offer smart designs that double as eating containers, eliminating the need for additional plates or bowls. Alternatively, for more conventional options, look through our range of classic takeout boxes.

Napkins and Utensils

Stock up on napkins and disposable utensils, including forks, knives, and spoons. Consider eco-friendly options made from sustainable materials. Our range of biodegradable cutlery is strong and durable enough to last throughout its use and may even be used multiple times. Not only are these cutlery essential eco-friendly, but their high quality ensures they can be used without breaking or snapping. 

Napkins are essential for any cafe or restaurant, especially sandwich shops, as fillings are known to fall out and create a mess. Our disposable paper napkins can be kept in napkin dispensers and conveniently disposed of after use. In our range we have something for everyone, whether you need small cocktail napkins or larger lunch and dinner napkins, we will have the perfect paper napkins for your needs.

Conclusion

Equipping your sandwich shop with the right tools and materials is a crucial step toward creating a successful business. From the kitchen to the customer, every piece of equipment and disposable packaging plays a vital role in the efficiency, quality, and overall customer experience of your shop.

By investing in high-quality equipment and sustainable packaging options, you can set your sandwich shop apart in the competitive food industry while also prioritising the environment. With all your essential equipment from Cooksmill, you’re not just making great sandwiches but creating a memorable experience for every customer who walks through your door.