Choosing an Industrial Kitchen Company: 12 Criteria

1. Can they do a needs analysis?

A good company doesn't just ask about square metres and budget in the first meeting. It tries to understand the menu, covers, peak hour, service model, receiving, storage duration, staffing and growth plan. The equipment list should be the result of this data.

A long product list prepared without a needs analysis risks excess or insufficient capacity. The company should clearly state its assumptions in the proposal.

2-3. Project and workflow competence

A visually clean drawing alone isn't enough — the project's compatibility with the actual site architecture, columns, shafts and real equipment data must be checked.

2. Layout project: should show net dimensions, door swing, maintenance clearance, service space and levels.
3. Workflow: should be tested for hygiene and speed across receiving, storage, prep, cooking, service, dishwashing and waste routes.

4. Is the technical data file adequate?

Every unit's model, dimensions, capacity, electrical power, voltage/phase, gas consumption, water, drainage, ventilation and weight should be presented in the same format — MEP teams work from this data.

“Approximate” connection data leads to demolition, rewiring and delay during implementation. An approved equipment list with a revision number and date should be used.

5-6. How is product and fabrication quality verified?

The same phrase “stainless-steel counter” can hide very different quality levels across quotes. Compare fabrication detail alongside dimensions and quantity.

5. Standard product: check intended use, capacity, safety compliance, warranty and service network.
6. Custom stainless fabrication: material grade and thickness, welding, grinding, corners, legs, reinforcement, surface finish and hygienic details should be defined by a sample or technical specification.

7. Can they coordinate across disciplines?

The kitchen company must be able to coordinate with architects, mechanical, electrical, fire, gas and automation teams. Who produces which drawing and approves which data should be written down from the start.

Hood and HVAC, dishwasher and hot water, oven and electrical power, sink and greasy-wastewater systems are not independent of each other. Coordination meetings and revision distribution should be part of the quoted scope.

8-9. Delivery schedule and site management

The phrase “turnkey” alone doesn't define scope. Who is responsible for transport, cranes, night work, electrical/gas connections, consumables and building corrections should be written down.

8. Realistic schedule: project approval, fabrication, procurement, shipping, installation and commissioning milestones should be stated.
9. Site management: dimension verification, delivery area, transport route, storage, protection and a plan for working with other contractors should be prepared.

10-12. Commissioning, training and service

10. Commissioning: connection, safety, function, capacity and measurement checks should be recorded.
11. User training: operation, cleaning, daily checks, safety and fault-reporting steps should be shown to staff.
12. After-sales service: warranty scope, response time, spare parts, scheduled maintenance and a service contact channel should be in writing.

A same-basis comparison table for quotes

Scope: what's included/excluded? → an itemised scope and responsibility matrix
Capacity: what data was it based on? → calculation and assumptions
Technical data: is the MEP information final? → approved data sheet and connection plan
Fabrication: what material and detail? → technical specification/sample
Schedule: what are the critical deliveries? → a milestone-based work programme
Service: what's the process on a fault? → SLA, service network and warranty terms

Red flags

A final list given the same day, without asking about menu and capacity
A lump-sum quote with no models or technical values
Being told connection points will be decided during installation
Drawings that keep changing but carry no revision number
Warranty scope and service response time not given in writing
A very low quote that can't explain its excluded items
References unrelated to similar capacity and activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can the lowest-priced quote be risky?

A low price isn't bad on its own, but if scope, capacity, materials, installation, commissioning and service aren't equivalent, quotes can't be compared. Missing items can create higher cost later.

What does a turnkey kitchen actually cover?

There's no fixed definition. Project, equipment, custom fabrication, transport, installation, connections, ventilation, fire, training and commissioning responsibilities should each be written into the contract.

What should you ask when checking references?

Ask about the delivery schedule, revision management, post-fault support, spare parts and final budget variance on a project with similar menu and capacity.

Should the company manufacture all the equipment itself?

Not necessarily. What matters is choosing the right product with transparent technical data, managing custom-fabrication quality, and offering single-point coordination across all brands.

Plan your project the right way from day one

Arlinoks designs equipment layout around workflow, temperature control, cleaning access and measurable operation points.

Get in touch with Arlinoks

Sources

Regulations, local authority requirements and technical standards can change over time. Verify current requirements with the relevant authority, project author and specialists before implementation.