How To Design A Restaurant Kitchen Floor Plan

With 54% of diners saying they would avoid a restaurant with table wait times over 30 minutes, you must develop an efficient kitchen floor plan that helps you serve food quickly and consistently. The right design can ease your workflows and minimize bottlenecks in your operations.

What should a restaurant kitchen floor plan include?

A well-thought-out floor plan should incorporate various key areas: storage, food preparation zones, cooking stations, cleaning and dishwashing stations, and service areas. By optimizing the layout, you can streamline operations, improve workflow, and ensure a smoother, more productive kitchen environment.

Storage areas

Storage is one of the most critical areas to consider when designing a restaurant kitchen floor plan. Having the right space to store ingredients, equipment, and other essentials keeps them readily accessible, which boosts efficiency, especially during peak hours.

Segment your storage areas further into cold, dry, and non-food storage sections. Position cold storage near the food preparation areas to minimize the distance that staff must travel to retrieve perishable items.

By doing so, you reduce the time food spends out of refrigeration, which is crucial for maintaining freshness and preventing foodborne illnesses.

Dry storage, on the other hand, should be located in an area that’s not directly adjacent to the cooking equipment. This way, the heat and humidity can't degrade the quality of dry goods like grains, flour, and spices.

Lastly, non-food storage areas, which include spaces for utensils, cleaning supplies, and disposable items, should be strategically placed near the service and cleaning and washing areas.

This ensures that these resources are readily available when needed without cluttering the main kitchen workflow. Keeping non-food items separate from food storage is also crucial for maintaining hygiene and preventing cross-contamination.

Food preparation areas

Designate specific areas for food preparation, such as chopping, slicing, and mixing. These areas should be positioned near the storage spaces for easy access to ingredients.

By placing prep zones near cold storage and dry storage sections, you minimize the distance that staff need to travel, speeding up the cooking process. Plus, it reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Research has shown that the closer the prep areas are to key resources like the sink, the more likely staff are to wash their hands frequently, which improves food safety.

Make sure your prep areas have enough counter space to accommodate the volume of food being prepared during peak hours. Doing so prevents clutter and helps maintain a smooth workflow.

Cooking stations

The most critical stations, which are for grilling, frying, and baking, should be placed close to each other to streamline the cooking process. Following this setup allows chefs to move seamlessly between stations, reducing the time spent transitioning from one task to another.

For example, in the island layout, placing the grilling and frying stations in the center, with the baking station nearby, minimizes unnecessary steps, such as moving ingredients and dishes between stations. This layout also allows for better communication and collaboration among the kitchen staff.

Design your kitchen layout so that the cooking stations are central to the action but not congested, which can impede movement and create safety hazards. Having a well-thought-out layout can help you keep restaurant kitchen costs manageable.

Cleaning and dishwashing stations

When designing your kitchen floor plan, position cleaning and dishwashing stations near the service area but away from the main cooking zones. This placement allows for quick and easy access for staff to drop off dirty dishes without disrupting the flow of food preparation and cooking.

You can place the dishwashing station at the back of the kitchen near an exit to make waste removal easier. Plus, it also keeps the noise and steam from the dishwasher away from the main cooking areas.

Service areas

For quick and efficient service to guests, place the service area as close as possible to the cooking stations without disrupting the kitchen’s workflow. It significantly improves the overall dining experience by making sure that guests receive their meals hot and fresh.

You can also incorporate heat lamps or warming stations within the service area to keep dishes at the optimal temperature until they are picked up by servers. These tools are especially important during busy service periods.

Key principles for a successful kitchen floor plan

Making the most of your space and developing a logical workflow can boost your staff’s productivity in the kitchen. Safety, flexibility, and energy efficiency are additional principles to consider.

Make the most of your space

Regardless of your kitchen’s size, make the most of your available space by carefully planning the layout and placement of equipment, storage, and work zones. The kitchen, cooking, storage, and preparation areas should make up around 40% of your restaurant floor plan, leaving the rest for the dining space.

For smaller kitchens, consider using the island layout, which places essential equipment at the center for better circulation and easier access to different stations. In larger kitchens, you can further subdivide the cooking, prep, and cleaning areas into specific zones.

Vertical storage solutions are another effective way to make the most of your restaurant kitchen space. Install shelves, racks, and hanging storage to free up valuable counter and floor space, making it easier to keep the kitchen clutter-free. 

You can also hang pots, pans, and utensils above workstations, which saves space and keeps essential tools within arm’s reach.

Develop a logical workflow

Determine how staff will move through the kitchen and design the layout to support your usual workflow. Map out the arrangement and flow of activities inside the food facility so that each station is placed to support proper kitchen management.

If you have a pizzeria, you’d want to dedicate a large, central prep area for making the pizza dough, shredding cheese, and slicing toppings. Position this prep zone between the dry/cold storage and the cooking stations.

Place the pizza ovens in the center or center-back of the kitchen, with easy access from the prep area. Additionally, arrange any other cooking equipment like a stovetop or fryer (for making sauces and cooking sides) near the oven to keep all the primary cooking tasks in one central zone.

Prioritize safety and sanitation

Complying with health codes set by the FDA and your local or state departments is crucial for maintaining a safe restaurant kitchen. 61% of restaurant fires, which were caused by cooking, lead to 38% of direct property damage.

Placing equipment in the right spots and creating an efficient workflow will help prevent accidents. Aside from strategically positioning the storage area and cooking and dishwashing stations, you must also prioritize proper ventilation.

A well-designed ventilation system removes smoke, steam, and airborne grease, which not only improves air quality but also reduces the risk of fire hazards. Include ventilation hoods over all major cooking stations, such as grills, fryers, and ovens. 

This way, you can effectively capture and filter out airborne contaminants, keeping the kitchen environment clean and safe.

Consider flexibility and future growth

When designing your kitchen layout, consider how the space can adapt to future changes, such as menu expansions or equipment upgrades. You can do this by using flexible elements, like movable workstations or modular shelving, so you can optimize the kitchen's efficiency as your business evolves.

Additionally, leave room for potential expansion. If you're looking to grow your restaurant's capacity or add new cooking stations, make sure your layout can accommodate these changes without major disruptions.

For instance, leave extra space near key areas like cooking and prep stations for additional equipment or workstations. With this, you can save significant restaurant costs and time down the line, as you won’t need to overhaul your kitchen layout completely when expanding your operations.

Think about energy efficiency

On average, energy expenses make up 3% to 5% of total operating costs. Energy efficiency in your restaurant kitchen floor plan can help you reduce your electricity spending and its environmental impact.

First, position your appliances strategically. For instance, keep your refrigerators and freezers away from heat-producing equipment like ovens and stoves. Doing so reduces the workload on your cooling equipment, preventing them from working harder to maintain the proper temperature.

The layout of your kitchen should also allow for good ventilation, helping to dissipate heat and reduce the strain on your HVAC system.

Grouping appliances with similar energy demands can also help optimize your power usage. For example, placing your cooking stations close to each other can reduce the need for multiple ventilation hoods.

Another way to boost energy efficiency for your restaurant kitchen is to invest in ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. For example, an ENERGY STAR-certified commercial refrigerator can save a restaurant around $230 over the product’s 12-year lifetime through high-efficiency compressors and improved circulation.

Examples of effective kitchen layouts

There are four common types of layouts to consider: Centralized, Zoning, Linear, and Island. They offer unique advantages for your kitchen efficiency, workflow, and overall operations.

Centralized kitchen layout

A centralized kitchen layout has a food preparation area in the middle with stations for broiling, sautéing, and dessert preparation. The dishwashing station is placed near the service area, which ensures that the flow of dirty dishes does not interfere with the cooking process.

The centralized prep area also allows chefs to access different cooking stations easily. The clear separation between food prep and dishwashing reduces the risk of cross-contamination, contributing to a cleaner and safer kitchen environment.

A potential downside of this layout is that it could become congested during peak hours. 

Plus, the central food prep area might not have enough space for larger kitchens, where more equipment and staff are required. This layout works best in smaller to medium-sized kitchens where space is at a premium and efficiency is key.

Zoning kitchen layout

The zoning kitchen layout has dedicated spaces for preparation, cooking, and service, along with storage and staff areas. Separating the cooking and preparation zones allows chefs to focus on their tasks without being interrupted by dishwashing or food storage activities.

You’ll also notice the ventilated dry storage, which helps maintain the quality of ingredients through proper air circulation. This kitchen layout works best in a larger area to avoid congestion.

However, staff may have to walk longer distances between zones, which could increase customers’ wait times if not addressed properly.

Linear kitchen layout

The linear kitchen layout emphasizes a straightforward flow from storage to preparation and cooking, with the storage and walk-in fridge areas separated from the main kitchen. By doing so, staff can move efficiently without getting in each other’s way. This setup is particularly useful in smaller restaurants where the kitchen space is limited, as it helps to maintain a smooth workflow.

A linear approach doesn’t leave as much flexibility for future expansion, though. As the restaurant grows, the kitchen might become cramped, especially during peak hours.

Island kitchen layout

The island kitchen layout has a central cooking area, with storage and coolers on either side. The center block lets multiple cooks work together while promoting an open kitchen environment.

You’ll need a big area for this type of layout to accommodate the island while providing ample space for staff to move around freely. On the downside, the open layout might lead to distractions if not managed properly.

Common mistakes to avoid when designing a restaurant kitchen

Choosing the layout of your restaurant kitchen requires careful planning to avoid common mistakes that can negatively affect your staff’s workflow. Storage, maintenance, and safety are key factors to consider when designing your prep, cooking, and service areas.

• Underestimating your storage needs

• Not considering your staff’s usual workflow

• Forgetting about maintenance

• Skimping on safety features

Underestimating your storage needs

Without ample storage space, your kitchen can quickly become disorganized and cluttered, leading to slower workflow and potential safety hazards. To avoid this, plan for dry storage, refrigerated items, and non-food items like cleaning supplies.

Not having enough storage space can also lead to frequent restocking, which increases the time and effort required to maintain inventory. Evaluate your current and future storage requirements, and consider flexible storage solutions like movable shelving.

Not considering your staff’s usual workflow

Poor layout decisions can lead to bottlenecks, causing delays and inefficiencies during peak hours. You can find many kitchen floor plans but the key to success is finding the best one that matches your operational needs.

Before you implement a new kitchen layout, observe your staff’s movements and interactions to identify pain points. Consult with experienced chefs and kitchen managers who’ve worked with the same restaurant as yours to get their input on efficient workflows.

Forgetting about maintenance

Placing equipment in hard-to-reach areas or cramming it into tight spaces can make regular cleaning and repairs difficult. Make sure your floor plan includes enough space around key appliances for easy access.

Ignoring maintenance needs can lead to costly repairs and downtime. On the other hand, being proactive through preventive maintenance lowers the likelihood of equipment failure by up to 70%.

Consider how often equipment needs to be serviced and design your kitchen in a way that makes it easy for technicians to perform routine checks.

Skimping on safety features

Neglecting safety features in your restaurant kitchen can lead to serious risks, including accidents and costly health code violations. Designing your kitchen floor plan with safety in mind is not just about compliance—it's about protecting your staff and your business.

For example, failure to include adequate ventilation can result in poor air quality, which remains a concern of restaurant owners. Smoke and grease create harmful emissions and can lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

When planning your kitchen layout, prioritize essential safety features, like fire suppression systems and proper equipment placement. Keep flammable materials away from high-heat areas and make sure fire exits are easily accessible.

Your blueprint to an efficient kitchen

Putting extra thought into your restaurant kitchen layout can improve workflow, organization, and safety. However, implementing a strategic restaurant kitchen floor plan isn’t just about placing cooking areas and equipment in the right place. 

Consider factors like your storage needs, processes, and maintenance to design prep, storage, cooking, and cleaning stations that support your restaurant's operations and empower your team to deliver exceptional service.

As you develop your kitchen layout, help your BOH staff stay on top of their tasks with 7shifts. Our restaurant management software makes scheduling and communication easier, allowing you to run your kitchen smoothly—no matter how busy it gets.

Vahag Aydinyan

Hello! I am Vahag, Content Marketing Manager at 7shifts. I am writing about content marketing, marketing trends, tips on restaurant marketing and more.