How to optimise your café space with an undercounter fridge

A café usually isn’t the largest of spaces. And yet, there’s so much happening. Your staff are tripping over each other. Your customers are waiting. The milk steamer’s whistling away. And a baby is crying over in the corner.

If only there were some little appliance that could help you stay on top of things just that tiny bit more.

Well, there is. An undercounter fridge could be just what you need to save those last-minute dashes into the back and make sure you don’t fall behind. This article explains why.

Why do undercounter fridges support a smoother workflow?

You’ll be used to your regular pressure points. For most cafés, these come during the breakfast rush, the coffee breaks, and the steady afternoon tea flow. At these points, you want to serve your customers as quickly as possible.

An undercounter fridge means your staff don’t have to move around as much during these periods. They can grab milk, sandwiches or other prepped items without having to cross the room or get in anyone else’s way.

That means a smoother experience for everyone. Your employees feel less overwhelmed because they aren’t tripping over each other all the time. The faster you can serve your customers, the better their experience, and the greater the likelihood they’ll come back.

Careful placement is the key to using an undercounter fridge to support your workflow. For instance, place the milk under the tea or coffee counter and the sandwich fillings under the prep bench. This goes a long way toward anchoring your staff to defined work zones, so everyone knows their responsibilities, and you create a stable service rhythm, even when it’s busy.

What size undercounter fridge suits a tight café layout?

In your café, space is likely a premium. So, every piece of equipment must be valuable, efficient and part of furthering your business goals. An undercounter fridge has a small footprint, making it a perfect fit for your premises. They can fit beside a prep area, next to a coffee station, and so on, basically, anywhere you have the space.

If you already have a good workflow setup, you’ll have a good idea of the size you need. Don’t forget to account for ventilation gaps and door clearances. You’ll find these gaps in the manufacturer’s specifications. They’re important to adhere to, as they protect the compressor’s performance and resultant energy consumption.

Other than your physical space limitations, align your undercounter fridge with the demands of peak service times. Select a unit that holds enough stock for full-service periods (from the start to the finish of the breakfast rush, as an example) without needing to restock.

Some undercounter fridges come with gastronorm (GN) pans. While not every café might need them, most will find them incredibly beneficial, especially if you run a mixed menu. GN pans speed up handling and reduce waste. They’re brilliant for operations that batch-prepare things like salads, soups or pastries.

Make ongoing adjustments to your workflow

Here are a few suggestions to help you use your undercounter fridge to stay on top of your service demands:

• During each service, ingredients might move, or stock might get used up. A quick reset restores order and helps staff locate items fast during the next rush.
• Keep actual records, to the extent possible, of the most-needed ingredients for each shift. For example, milk may be more important in the morning than in the afternoon. This way, you can optimise what ingredients are immediately available for any given shift.
• Assign one team member to handle stock resets during quiet periods, and another to manage labelling. Spreading the load is good, as long as everyone is clear about each other’s duties.
• Don’t let ingredients, dishes, pans or anything else build up on the top of the undercounter fridge, unless it’s prep you actually need. This inhibits your workflow.
• Hold short team reviews every now and then so your staff can give feedback. They know the flow better than anyone, and they’ll help you identify friction points with your undercounter fridge. 

Enhance your café with an undercounter fridge from Fridgesmart

Speed up your café service times with a dedicated undercounter fridge from Fridgesmart. Our team of experts is here to help café owners from the north of Scotland to Land’s End, with a fantastic range of commercial undercounter fridges to choose from.

We’re committed to helping you source and install the appliances you need. That’s why we work with you to understand your space, your customers, your flow and your pain points. With all that in hand, we’ll help you narrow down your search to the best undercounter fridges for you.

Fridgesmart is committed to outstanding customer service, which is why our experts are ready to talk to you at 01792 677169. And that’s not even to mention our excellent warranty and delivery options. Get in touch today for a friendly chat or to place your order.