Café Startup Equipment Checklist: What You Do (& Don’t) Need!

When you’re opening a cafe or a coffee shop, it can be difficult to think through each and every item you’ll need to run a successful business. From industrial bean grinders to refrigeration systems, flatware, paper products, storage, and more – the number of items you need can be dizzying.

  • Food and drink preparation

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  • Drip coffeemakers

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  • Coffee presses

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  • A high-quality espresso machine

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  • Industrial coffee grinders

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  • A water filtration system

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  • Food preparation tables

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  • Food storage bins, bottles, and pumps

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  • Commercial blenders

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  • Ovens/toasters/grills

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  • An ice maker

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  • Software

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  • A robust security system

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  • A POS system

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  • Employee management/scheduling software

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  • Payroll/accounting software

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  • Storage and refrigeration

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  • Industrial refrigerators

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  • A large freezer (walk-in for larger businesses)

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  • Insulated containers for cream and milk

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  • Industrial shelving for dry storage

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  • Food storage containers for opened ingredients

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  • Industrial plastic wrap

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  • Consumable Goods

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  • Napkins

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  • Insulated paper cups and lids

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  • Cardboard sleeves

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  • Plastic cups and lids

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  • Paper towels

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  • Straws

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  • Paper/cardboard plates

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  • Dishes and flatware 

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  • Plates

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  • Mugs

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  • Cups and drinking glasses

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  • Spoons, knives, and forks

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  • Drink preparation utensils 

    See description

  • Cleanup and maintenance

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  • A 3-compartment sink for rinsing, washing, and sanitizing dishes

    See description

  • Mop and dedicated mop closet/sink

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  • Rags and industrial cleaning spray

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  • Dishwasher

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  • Bus trays for dirty dishes

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  • Trash cans and bags

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  • Dumpster/trash compactor

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  • Furniture and decor

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  • Tables and chairs

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  • Counters/bar seating

    See description

  • Outdoor furniture and umbrellas

    See description

  • Food prep/work counters

    See description

  • Display/storage cases

    See description

  • Overhead menus

    See description

  • In-store menus and displays

    See description

  • Interior/exterior lighting

    See description

  • Wall art, framed photos/posters, etc.

    See description

  • Audio systems

    See description

  • Food and drink preparation

    See description

  • Drip coffeemakers

    See description

  • Coffee presses

    See description

  • A high-quality espresso machine

    See description

  • Industrial coffee grinders

    See description

  • A water filtration system

    See description

  • Food preparation tables

    See description

  • Food storage bins, bottles, and pumps

    See description

  • Commercial blenders

    See description

  • Ovens/toasters/grills

    See description

  • An ice maker

    See description

  • Software

    See description

  • A robust security system

    See description

  • A POS system

    See description

  • Employee management/scheduling software

    See description

  • Payroll/accounting software

    See description

  • Storage and refrigeration

    See description

  • Industrial refrigerators

    See description

  • A large freezer (walk-in for larger businesses)

    See description

  • Insulated containers for cream and milk

    See description

  • Industrial shelving for dry storage

    See description

  • Food storage containers for opened ingredients

    See description

  • Industrial plastic wrap

    See description

  • Consumable Goods

    See description

  • Napkins

    See description

  • Insulated paper cups and lids

    See description

  • Cardboard sleeves

    See description

  • Plastic cups and lids

    See description

  • Paper towels

    See description

  • Straws

    See description

  • Paper/cardboard plates

    See description

  • Dishes and flatware 

    See description

  • Plates

    See description

  • Mugs

    See description

  • Cups and drinking glasses

    See description

  • Spoons, knives, and forks

    See description

  • Drink preparation utensils 

    See description

  • Cleanup and maintenance

    See description

  • A 3-compartment sink for rinsing, washing, and sanitizing dishes

    See description

  • Mop and dedicated mop closet/sink

    See description

  • Rags and industrial cleaning spray

    See description

  • Dishwasher

    See description

  • Bus trays for dirty dishes

    See description

  • Trash cans and bags

    See description

  • Dumpster/trash compactor

    See description

  • Furniture and decor

    See description

  • Tables and chairs

    See description

  • Counters/bar seating

    See description

  • Outdoor furniture and umbrellas

    See description

  • Food prep/work counters

    See description

  • Display/storage cases

    See description

  • Overhead menus

    See description

  • In-store menus and displays

    See description

  • Interior/exterior lighting

    See description

  • Wall art, framed photos/posters, etc.

    See description

  • Audio systems

    See description