Leasing food service equipment is a common practice for business owners. As demand for this service has increased so has the equipment available to lease. Food service equipment leasing is done for catering and food service kitchens. This can also be a cost effective plan for a new business owner in order to save initial startup capital. Plus, you also have the added benefit of being able to try a piece of equipment out before you commit to its purchase.

Food equipment leasing is relatively easy and can be accomplished from most vendor websites. It is estimated that over 80% of United States companies lease at least part of their equipment. Some reasons why leasing food service equipment just makes sense:

1. Conserves liquid assets

2. Tax deductible

3. Credit approval on leasing isn't as strict on a food service equipment lease.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Food equipment leasing and sales companies

Some companies that offer a food service equipment lease provide the equipment as well. This one-stop shopping can be a very convenient resource.

I recommend: Central Restaurant Products makes leasing food equipment easy with their convenient online leasing application and an equipment lease calculator. Items available on a kitchen supplies lease include stoves, steamers, fryers and sanitation equipment. A business can sign a food service equipment lease and obtain their equipment from a single source.

Food equipment leasing services

Food industry equipment leasing is approached more on a strictly financial level. These companies do not provide the equipment and instead only serve as a financial resource.

I recommend: Keystone Equipment Leasing does not lease food equipment. Instead they only provide the financial leasing service. Their lease amounts range from $5,000 to $3,000,000 and can be applied for with a simple online form. Other food service lease finance companies include Direct Capital, 5280 Financial and Crest Capital.

Catering equipment leasing

Leasing food equipment is also done in the catering field. This can come in handy because a certain piece of equipment may be required for one function and not be needed for months at a time. Such is the case with place settings and linen. A certain color may be required and if the caterer stocked everything possible, it would be a storage nightmare.

I recommend: A catering supplies lease can be the best financial decision that could be made. The selection of catering supplies is as infinite as a client's individual taste and preference. KaTom offers a leasing program for catering supplies that includes buffet stands & risers, dinnerware and even molds for ice sculptures.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When dealing with any food equipment leasing or finance company, make sure that they are a valid lender. There are many scams that claim you are pre approved and encourage companies to order equipment, when in fact they are not. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.