A fried chicken restaurant is a fryer operation first. Bone-in chicken takes much longer to cook than fries, so your fryer capacity and holding plan decide how many pieces you can sell in an hour. This list covers the equipment and the decisions that go with it.
For whole chickens, see the YSD-12G gas rotisserie oven, which holds up to 12 birds.
Fryers Sized for Bone-In Chicken
Bone-in pieces cook for many minutes, so each batch ties up a fryer for a long time. That means you need more fry pot capacity than a burger shop of the same size. Large-capacity floor fryers are common, and many shops dedicate one fryer to chicken and another to sides.
Standard Range SR-F5-NG 80 lb natural gas floor fryer
Migali C-F75E-NG 75 lb Energy Star gas fryer
Migali C-F40-NG 40 lb gas fryer for fries and sides
A simple sizing approach: estimate your peak-hour piece count, find out how many pieces fit per batch in the fryer you are considering, divide by batches per hour, and add one fryer for sides. Check internal temperature of chicken with a probe thermometer on every batch until the process is proven.
Fryers go under a hood with fire suppression. Confirm with your building department and a licensed gas fitter.
Breading Station
Hand-breaded chicken needs a dedicated breading table next to the fryers. Plan a work table, bins for flour and seasoning, and a place for raw chicken in a refrigerated unit right beside it. Keep raw chicken handling away from cooked product.
Holding Cooked Chicken
Fried chicken is often cooked ahead of the rush and held. A heated holding cabinet keeps product at 135F or above. A heated display merchandiser at the counter shows chicken to guests and holds it hot for grab-and-go.
Prepline MPN1836 full size heated warming holding cabinet
Marchia MHW102 38″ heated display merchandiser
Set a hold time limit for quality and discard product that passes it. Crispness fades long before safety does.
Fry Station Accessories
A fry dump station keeps fries and tenders hot while staff portion them. Fryer baskets, oil filtering supplies and a splash guard between fryer and neighboring equipment make the station safer.
Hatco UGFF-120 UltraGlo portable fry warmer
Deep fryer splash guard, 20.5″ x 18″
Sides
Mashed potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese, coleslaw and biscuits. A range with ovens covers biscuits and baked sides. A steam table holds hot sides and a refrigerated prep table holds slaw.
Refrigeration and Storage
Raw chicken comes in bulk. Plan reach-in or walk-in space for raw chicken on the lowest shelves, plus a freezer for backup. Marinated chicken needs labeled containers and dates.
Grease Management
High fryer volume means a lot of used oil and greasy wastewater. Plan used oil storage and a grease trap sized by your plumber and local authority.
A Quick Checklist
- Large floor fryers for chicken, a separate fryer for sides
- Breading table and ingredient bins
- Holding cabinet and heated display
- Dump station and splash guards
- Range, steam table and prep table for sides
- Raw chicken storage and a freezer
- Grease trap and oil handling plan
Next Steps
Work out peak-hour piece counts, then size fryers and holding together. Start with commercial deep fryers and heated display cases. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Standard Range SR-F5-NG 80 lb. Natural Gas Stainless Steel Floor Fryer – 150,000 BTU (model SR-F5-NG)
- Brand: Standard Range
- High-Volume Capacity: Large 80 lb. oil capacity frypot designed to keep up with demanding, fast-paced commercial kitchens.
- Maximum Heating Power: Boasts a powerful 150,000 BTU natural gas burner system for exceptionally fast heat-up and recovery.
- Durable Stainless Steel Build: Premium stainless steel construction offers superior durability, corrosion resistance, and sleek aesthetics.
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Migali C-F75E-NG 75 lb Energy Star Gas Fryer, Natural Gas – 110,000 BTU (model C-F75E-NG)
- Brand: Migali
- 75 lb oil capacity gas fryer, natural gas, rated 110,000 BTU.
- Stainless steel oil tank, thermostatic temperature control with a Robert Shaw regulator, wire mesh baskets and a full-port drain valve.
- Removable basket bracket lifts out so cleaning and oil changes don’t fight you.
Migali C-F40-NG 40 lb Gas Fryer, Natural Gas – 102,000 BTU (model C-F40-NG)
- Brand: Migali
- 40 lb oil capacity gas fryer, natural gas, rated 102,000 BTU.
- Stainless steel oil tank, thermostatic temperature control with a Robert Shaw regulator, wire mesh baskets and a full-port drain valve.
- Removable basket bracket lifts out so cleaning and oil changes don’t fight you.
Prepline MPN1836 Full Size Heated Warming Holding Cabinet (model MPN1836)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Marchia MHW102 38″ Heated Display Merchandiser (model MHW102)
- Brand: Marchia
- Commercial Heated Display: Marchia 38″ full-service countertop heated display merchandiser designed for professional foodservice applications.
- Slanted 2-Shelf Design: Two slanted shelves provide organized food presentation and improved visibility.
- Tempered Glass Sides: Tempered glass sides provide a clear view of displayed hot foods.
Hatco UGFF-120 12 3/8″ UltraGlo™ Portable Fry Warmer Dump Station – Rod Type, 120v (model UGFF-120)
- Brand: Hatco
- Portable UltraGlo™ Fry Warmer Dump Station with ceramic heating elements and durable anodized aluminum housing for precise food holding.
Express KitchQuip Deep Fryer Splash Guard, 20.5″ x 18″ – 18-Gauge 304 Stainless Steel (model EKQ-DFSG-20.5X18)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 5″ x 18″ side splash guard for commercial deep fryers, built from 18-gauge Type 304 stainless steel.
- Cuts hot oil splatter onto neighboring walls, counters and equipment while keeping fryer baskets and controls fully accessible.
- Mounting hardware included; wipes clean in seconds.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.