Confessions of a Compulsive Organizer

Three Reasons Your Restaurant Needs A Storage Space

by Ricardo Hart

If you run a restaurant, you know that extra tables and equipment can take up a lot of space in your building. To keep your restaurant neat and clutter-free, you may want to consider renting a unit at a storage facility like Belmont Self Storage. Here are three reasons why your restaurant needs to have its own storage space.

You Have A Seasonal Outdoor Dining Area

Al fresco dining can help to make your restaurant more exciting in the warm summer months, but finding a place to store your patio furniture in the winter can be a challenge. A storage facility offers all the space you need to store your tables, umbrellas, patio heaters and chairs. You can store the tables on top of each other to conserve space in the storage area, and tuck the patio umbrellas under the tables. If you have propane heaters you need to store, be sure to remove the tanks, as your storage facility may have rules about flammable materials being stored in the building.

Your Restaurant Has A Catering Business

Catering tends to be a seasonal business, with summer weddings and winter holiday parties bringing in a bulk of many restaurants' catering business. If your restaurant tends to have slower catering business after the holidays and in the fall, consider using a storage facility to keep your catering equipment stored neatly away until it is needed. Some of the catering equipment you can store in your storage unit might include:

  • Speed racks
  • Pan carriers
  • Chafer sets
  • Dishware
  • Glassware
  • Plate chargers
  • Tablecloths and napkins
  • Buffet tables

You Buy Nonperishable Food In Bulk

Restaurants can get deals on bulk foods from vendors and warehouse stores. If you want to save money on bulk foods such as pasta, condiments, rice or canned foods, a storage facility can be a great option for additional food storage. You'll want to put free-standing shelving in the storage unit, and the bottom shelves should be at least 6 inches from the floor per FDA guidelines. Consider keeping a dolly in the storage unit so you can quickly haul food out to your truck or van when you need to restock your kitchen. 

By keeping these items a storage facility, you can free up extra room in your restaurant for additional dining space or food prep space. Take an inventory of all the items in your restaurant you don't use every day, and consider whether placing them in a storage facility is the right move for your business.

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