Most small to mid-size restaurants need three to six pieces of refrigeration: one or two reach-ins or a walk-in for bulk storage, a refrigerated prep table at the main prep station, and undercounter or chef base units on the cook line. Bars and cafes add back bar coolers or display cases. The right number depends on your menu, delivery frequency and covers per day, not a fixed rule.
Start with How Often You Get Deliveries
If produce and proteins arrive daily, you need less storage. If you get deliveries twice a week, you need to hold three or four days of product. Estimate the cases of cold product you receive on your biggest delivery, then plan storage for that plus a buffer for prepped items.
The Three Zones of Restaurant Refrigeration
Bulk storage holds whole cases and backup product. This is a walk-in or one to three reach-ins.
Migali C-2R-HC 2 door reach-in refrigerator, 49 cu ft
Migali C-3R-HC 3 door reach-in refrigerator
Prep refrigeration holds ingredients where they are assembled. Sandwich, salad and pizza prep tables keep pans of toppings cold on top and backup below.
Migali C-SP48-12-HC 48 inch 12 pan sandwich prep table
Migali C-PP44-HC 44 inch pizza prep table refrigerator
Line refrigeration keeps proteins and garnishes within reach of cooks. Undercounter refrigerators and chef bases fit under counters or equipment.
Westlake WKTR-48B 48 inch 2 door undercounter refrigerator
Sample Setups
A small cafe with sandwiches and salads might run one two-door reach-in, one sandwich prep table and one undercounter unit behind the counter. A pizzeria might run a two or three door reach-in, a pizza prep table and an undercounter unit by the oven. A full-service restaurant with a busy line might run a walk-in, a prep table, a chef base under the grill and an undercounter at the sauté station. A bar adds back bar coolers for beer and mixers.
CBB-48G-T 48 inch underbar swing glass door back bar cooler
Do Not Forget Freezers
Most restaurants also need at least one freezer, even if frozen items are few. Fries, ice cream and backup proteins need a home. A reach-in or undercounter freezer is usually enough for smaller menus.
Signs You Need More
Staff stack pans on top of each other. Doors are propped open while loading. Cooks walk to the back for every garnish. Temperature logs show units drifting above 41F during service. Any of these means storage is too tight or in the wrong place.
Signs You Have Too Much
Units run half empty, and old product hides in the back. Every refrigerator uses power, so extra units cost money every month. Consolidate if you can.
Food Safety
The FDA Food Code calls for cold holding at 41F or below. Keep a thermometer in each unit and log temperatures. Store raw proteins below ready-to-eat food.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- How often do I get deliveries?
- Where is food assembled, and what does each station need within reach?
- Do I need a walk-in or will reach-ins do?
- How much freezer space does my menu need?
Next Steps
Compare commercial refrigerators and sandwich and salad prep tables for each zone. 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.
Migali C-2R-HC 2 Door Reach-In Refrigerator, 49 Cu. Ft. (model C-2R-HC)
- Brand: Migali
- Premium Commercial Refrigeration: A spacious 2 Door Reach-In Refrigerator designed for restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, bakeries, and commercial kitchens.
- 49 Cu. Ft. Large Capacity: Extra-large interior provides extensive storage space for fresh food, ingredients, beverages, and prepared products.
- Forced-Air Refrigeration: Provides uniform cold-air circulation throughout the cabinet for consistent refrigeration performance.
Migali C-3R-HC 3 Door Reach-In Refrigerator (model C-3R-HC)
- Brand: Migali
- 72 Cu. Ft. Large Capacity: Spacious storage for commercial food products and ingredients.
- 3-Door Design: Solid swing doors provide easy access and organized storage.
- 9 Adjustable Shelves: Flexible storage for products of different sizes.
Migali C-SP48-12-HC 48″ 12 Pan Sandwich Prep Table (model C-SP48-12-HC)
- Brand: Migali
- 12-Pan Capacity: Accommodates (12) 1/6-size pans for organized ingredient storage.
- Reliable Refrigeration: Forced air refrigeration provides cold, uniform temperatures throughout the cabinet and underneath the pan rail.
- Digital Temperature Control: 48″ 12 Pan Sandwich Prep Table has d igital controller and read-out allow convenient temperature monitoring.
Migali C-PP44-HC 44″ Pizza Prep Table Refrigerator (model C-PP44-HC)
- Brand: Migali
- 44″ Pizza Prep Table: 44″ Pizza Prep Table Refrigerator designed for efficient pizza and sandwich preparation.
- 14 Cu. Ft. Storage: Spacious refrigerated interior for food storage.
- Forced Air Refrigeration: Provides consistent cold air throughout the cabinet and underneath the pan rail.
Westlake WKTR-48B 48″ 2 Door Commercial Undercounter Refrigerator (model WKTR-48B)
- Brand: Westlake
- Compact Efficiency: At 48 inches wide, it fits perfectly under standard counters, giving you extra prep surface and refrigerated storage in one footprint.
- Precision Cooling: Maintains a steady temperature range of 33-40°F , ensuring food safety and peak freshness for all perishables.
- Worry-Free Maintenance: Features an automatic defrost system to prevent ice build-up, so you can focus on cooking rather than cleaning.
- Warranty: 6-Year Compressor / 2-Year Parts & Labor
CBB-48G-T 48″ Underbar Swing Glass Door Back Bar Cooler (model CBB-48G-T)
- Brand: Coldline
- 48″ Underbar Design: Commercial back bar refrigerator with reduced height for convenient installation beneath compatible bars and counters.
- Reduced 34.25″ Height: Thin galvanized top design provides approximately 1.35 inches of reduced height compared with the standard-height model.
- Narrow 23.62″ Depth: Space-saving construction is ideal for commercial bars and service areas with limited floor space.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
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.