Running a restaurant can be overwhelming, even for those primed for the job. There is an endless list of things to do, people to hire, and items to buy – like linens! No matter how big or small your restaurant may be, the list can feel like an impossibility. Don’t let the long and confusing restaurant and uniform catalogs frustrate you! Here’s a quick guide to kitchen linen and uniform items restaurants need:

Front-of-the-House Essentials

Your front-of-the-house linens and uniforms are essential in making the right impression on your diners. They have to stand out both in appearance and in cleanliness:

Tablecloths

Tablecloths are a classic and classy addition to any restaurant table. They can elevate the simplest of eateries into something more elegant and stylish. While there is room for creativity in tablecloth colors and patterns, we can’t say the same about the fit. Too small a tablecloth is off-putting and too large is an accident risk.

Napkins

Like tablecloths, table napkins add a touch of classy elegance to any restaurant table. Contrary to what many believe, table napkins are not exclusive to formal dining setups. They look just as great on casual tables as they do on more formal ones. They come in a range of colors and patterns, too, to match any aesthetic.

Bar Mops

Bar mops are an essential cleaning tool for any restaurant table. They have to be launderable, durable, and always clean.

Server Uniforms

Server uniforms can make or break your diners’ perception of your brand. Though the options are virtually limitless, it is important to pick the design that best embodies your brand.

Server Aprons

Compared to kitchen aprons, are primarily aesthetic. Server aprons are not expected to provide as much coverage as their kitchen counterparts. They do, however, provide essential storage for server essentials.  

Back-of-the-House Essentials

Where front-of-the-house essentials are defined by appearance, kitchen uniforms and linens operate more on function than form. As such, their primary qualities are durability, functionality, and cleanliness:

Aprons

Aprons are some of the hardest-working apparel in any commercial kitchen. They protect employees and their uniforms from the hazards of the job. Popular options include bib aprons, waterproof dishwashing aprons, and butcher aprons.

Towels

There is no shortage of need for different types of towels in a restaurant kitchen. Anything that needs cleaning needs a specific type of towel. Utility and bar towels are for cleaning surfaces. Glass towels are for delicate glassware and stoneware. Cooks and chefs need their all-around kitchen towel for everything from cleaning up their plating to handling hot pots. Grill towels are for cleaning the grills and ovens. For any kind of towel, it is important to get ones that are designed for heavy usage, are highly absorbent, and are launderable.

Chef Apparel

More than its aesthetic quality, chef and cook apparel need to be wearer-friendly and durable. They need to keep their wearer comfortable throughout the long and grueling kitchen hours. They need to be breathable to make the kitchen heat bearable. And they should promote ease of movement and provide adequate protection against the many kitchen hazards.  

Reach Out to Tipton!

Tipton provides kitchen linen and uniform items restaurants need! Our rental programs can also help you keep the costs down. Call Tipton today at 1 (800) 533-5670 to speak with our experts or sign up for service! You may also send us your inquiries and price quote requests here.