Plates or Baskets for Your Restaurant?
If you’re planning on opening a fast food establishment, you’re likely contemplating whether to use plates or baskets for your restaurant. When deciding which ones to use, consider the pros and cons of both. In some cases, one might be better than the other, but in other instances, it’s simply a matter of appearance. It’s also an issue of cost. Consider the following options, and select the dinnerware that’s best for your business.
The Pros and Cons of Baskets and Plates
Both baskets and plates are washable, and both can become damaged with improper handling and care. Plates can chip, crack, and break. Plastic can split and melt. In the end, the baskets are likely more durable, but they’re also highly informal. They also don’t hold nearly as much food as dinner plates.
Another issue to keep in mind is washing and sterilization. They don’t fit as well as dishes in a commercial dishwasher. They’re ideal for holding sandwiches and fried foods. An eatery that serves salads or anything with sauce should use chinaware, no doubt about it. Basic white is the best plate color choice for a restaurant.
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Baskets Require Disposable Paper Liners
One of the cons of using baskets instead of plates for a restaurant is the need for paper liners. They’re cheap, but they’re not free. Dinnerware is more eco-friendly and economical. Waxed paper liners generate waste that chinaware doesn’t. Expenses all add up, and it’s something to seriously consider when trying to decide which one to choose.
View on Amazon – New Star Foodservice 44263 Red Check Food Basket Liners, 12 by 12-inch, Set of 36
Pros of Baskets for Restaurant Food
- Eye-catching
- Fast food diner-style food baskets
- Made of food-safe material
- Cheaper in price initially
- Less likely to break
- Microwavable
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons of Baskets
- Can split
- Can melt
- Doesn’t fit well in a dishwasher
- Looks cheaper
- Doesn’t hold a lot of food
- Requires waxed paper liners
Pros of Plates for Fast Food Restaurant
- Dishwasher-safe
- Microwavable
- Oven-safe
- Fits well in dishwasher
- Holds larger meals
- Can hold salads and sauces
- More formal than plastic baskets
Cons of Plates
- Can chip around edges
- Breakable
- Requires more food to appear full
- Initially costlier than plastic baskets
In the end, you’re going to have to compare the prices of both options as well as the pros and cons regarding size, usage, appearance, and cleaning. In the end, it’s up to you to make the final decision. Baskets are great for a diner-style restaurant, but white porcelain dinner plates would work with any theme. What image do you want to portray?
This is a wonderful tip for those eyeing the restaurant industry.
In my cousin’s house, during fiesta, they use rattan plates wrapped in plastics. It is easy to dispose the plastic and the rattans are usable without washing them.