Best Countertop Cooking Solutions for QSRs

Running a quick-service restaurant isn’t just about speed. It’s about maximizing every square inch of your kitchen, keeping pace with demand, and delivering consistent quality day in and day out. As QSR operators face rising real estate costs and increasingly constrained kitchen spaces, the demand for compact, efficient equipment continues to grow.

Middleby builds foodservice equipment with QSRs in mind—delivering performance, speed, and efficiency in every square inch. With brands like Globe, Star, and APW Wyott, Middleby offers a suite of countertop cooking solutions engineered specifically for the modern QSR kitchen. Whether you’re flipping smash burgers, slicing deli-fresh ingredients, or holding breakfast sandwiches at the perfect temperature, these tools aren’t just space-saving. They can enhance the efficiency and profitability of service.

Slice Fresh and Serve Fast with Globe

Speed doesn’t mean cutting corners, especially when it comes to prep. Globe slicers are built for high-performance output with precision and consistency. Perfect for QSRs that prioritize freshness and crave that made-to-order flavor, Globe’s compact slicers help operators prep deli meats, cheeses, and veggies at lightning speed. And once those deli meats are sliced? Try them on a Globe sandwich grill, which is perfect as a countertop cooking solution.

Menu Idea: Create a craft-your-own panini station. Use Globe slicers to prep fresh turkey, ham, and provolone daily. Add an express sandwich press, and you’ve got a personalized lunch rush magnet.

[Additional Resources: Try the Globe Slicer Selection Guide]

Griddle and Grill with Star

From breakfast rushes to late-night bites, Star griddles are countertop cooking solutions that bring reliable, even heating in a footprint that fits nearly anywhere. With thermostatic controls and durable cooking surfaces, they’re designed to keep up with high-volume, high-variety menus. When you leverage Star’s countertop cooking solutions’ flexibility, QSRs can reduce labor strain and maximize throughput across multiple dayparts.

Menu Idea: Hot dog rollers and griddles that turn a humble stadium classic into a QSR staple. Serve breakfast sausages in the morning, then switch to gourmet dogs with custom toppings during lunch using the same grill.

[Additional Resources: See Training and Recipe Videos from Star]

Hold It Right There with APW Wyott

Speed is key, but so is timing. APW Wyott warming and holding stations allow QSRs to prep ahead and hold food safely at serving temperatures without compromising texture or taste. Especially in small kitchens where batch prep is vital, APW Wyott ensures your food is hot and ready when the customer is. This underscores the benefits of compact warming solutions that retain food integrity during peak rushes, particularly for drive-thru-heavy QSRs.

Menu Idea: Hot soups or chili—perfect for colder seasons or regional comfort food offerings—are held at ideal temperatures in APW warming units. Even better? Use that chili as a savory topping option for gourmet hot dogs coming off the roller grill.

[Additional Resources: Explore the Different Countertop Cooking Solutions from APW Wyott]

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