Pizza has never been more popular. The UK pizza delivery and takeaway sector has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, and that appetite is not slowing down. In fact, in 2022, the market size of the pizza delivery and takeaway sector in the UK was forecast to exceed £3.4 billion.
If you are thinking about opening a pizza restaurant, pizza shop or van-based operation, getting the right equipment in place before you launch is essential.
At Creeds Direct, we have been helping restaurateurs and food businesses source the right equipment for over 60 years. Here is what you need to open a pizza restaurant and produce a product worth coming back for.
What Pizza Oven Do You Need for a Commercial Restaurant?
The oven is the single most important purchase you will make for a pizza restaurant. Get this right and everything else becomes easier.
For a commercial setting, you need an oven that can handle the volume and reach the right temperatures quickly. The main options are:
- Deck ovens: the classic choice for traditional-style pizza. Stone decks absorb and radiate heat in a way that produces a great base with the right texture and char.
- Conveyor ovens: ideal for high-volume operations like pizza takeaways or delivery-focused restaurants. Consistency and speed are their strengths.
- Wood-fired ovens: a brilliant option for restaurants that want the authentic flavour of traditional pizza. Higher temperatures produce that distinct charred finish.
Think carefully about your volume expectations before you buy. A pizza oven needs to be able to keep up during a busy service. If you are unsure, our team at Creeds Direct can help you match the right oven to your expected output.
Why Does Every Pizza Restaurant Need a Commercial Dough Mixer?
Good pizza starts with good dough, and good dough requires proper mixing. A commercial dough mixer is a necessity for a pizza restaurant that wants to produce consistently at any kind of volume.
Mixing pizza dough by hand is fine at home. In a restaurant kitchen producing tens or hundreds of pizzas a day, it simply is not viable . A commercial spiral dough mixer is a valuable asset and saves you time hand mixing dough.
Our dough mixers include spiral, fork and planetary models from leading brands. Many are available on finance for limited companies, which makes the investment far more manageable for a new venture .
Why Does Every Pizza Restaurant Need a Pizza Rounder?
A pizza rounder is another perfect time-saving device, with an hourly production rate of up to 2000 pieces. This machine has been designed to automatically divide and round pieces of pizza dough perfectly time after time .
Like the dough mixer, this pizza rounder will help you to prepare dough that is consistent. In the restaurant game, consistency is everything. For anyone considering pizza shop equipment, this is an essential bit of kit.
What Refrigeration Does a Pizza Restaurant Need?
It goes without saying, but having ample refrigeration space is absolutely essential for any pizza business. It provides a place to store ingredients and, above all, ensures your restaurant is compliant with health and safety regulations.
You need enough cold space for:
- Dairy products, meats and fresh toppings
- Pre-portioned dough balls awaiting service
- Pre-prepared pizza dough trays for batch preparation
Sufficient chilling of ingredients helps to avoid bacterial growth . Moreover, it allows you to organise all of your produce in one place.
Pizza dough trays are a particularly useful piece of kit for larger operations. They let you prepare dough in batches and store it correctly without risk of contamination.
What Other Pizza Equipment and Kitchen Tools Do You Need?
Once you have the large equipment sorted, there are a number of smaller but important items that every pizza kitchen needs:
- Pizza peels: for loading and removing pizzas from the oven safely
- Pizza cutters and wheel slicers: for clean and fast cutting during service
- Dough scrapers: for portioning and handling dough without tearing it
- Prep surfaces: stainless steel workbenches that are easy to clean and food safe
Our catering and pizza equipment range covers all of these and more. We stock tools and accessories from trusted suppliers who understand what a professional kitchen needs.
Wooden Pizza Peel
Pizza peels are used to pick up pizzas from your work surface and slide them into the oven. A wooden, rectangular peel is very traditional, with a lovely rustic look and feel.
TOP TIP: Don’t use a rolling pin for pizza dough. If you’re interested in making authentic Italian pizza, generally they avoid using a rolling pin. This is because working the dough with a rolling pin causes the air bubbles to be crushed by the pressure. The result of this is a pizza with a flat and hard outer-crust.
Cutter or Slicer
This one needs little explanation. A high quality pizza cutter or slicer is going to be your best friend. It saves you time and, again, allows you to achieve consistent results.
Other Considerations
POS System
A POS (Point of Sale) system is another must have, as it allows you to process orders and complete administrative tasks in an orderly manner. Being methodical and organised is the key to running a successful restaurant. When things get crazy, and they sometimes do, a POS system will help to ground you.
Work Surfaces
Having ample space to work on is hugely important. It is encouraged to consider the size and material of your work surfaces carefully. Not only is this practical, but it will improve cleaning time and hygiene standards.
Safety Equipment
Besides the obvious items to create the product, it is important to consider safety signage, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a record of safety checks. If you are serious about opening a restaurant, research around health and food safety is an absolute must. For more advice, read about how to start a food business safely. Alternatively, you can read our blog on the importance of kitchen hygiene.
Bakery Equipment for Pizza Restaurants at Creeds Direct
At Creeds Direct, we offer a huge range of bakery equipment aimed at those who are looking to create food products on a commercial level. This includes those who are interested in opening a pizza restaurant. So, if you’re looking to open a pizza shop, van or restaurant, consider us for all your pizza equipment needs.
Many of our machines are available on flexible finance plans for limited companies, which can make a significant difference when you are a new set up .
For expert advice tailored to your setup, contact our team today. Alternatively, browse our full range of pizza and catering equipment online.
