Top 10 Must-Have Hospitality Equipment Items – And How to Finance Them Smartly in 2025
Published: May 31, 2025
By Michael Pajar | Business Finance Broker | Casey Asset Finance | 0450 622 115 | michael@caseyassetfinance.com.au | Instagram: @casey_asset_finance
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Running a hospitality business isn’t easy. Whether you’re opening a café, running a busy restaurant, or scaling your catering operation—having the right equipment is essential.
But let’s be real… quality hospitality gear isn’t cheap. And with so many options like rent-to-own, leasing, and finance, how do you know which path is best for your business?
In this post, we’ll break down:
The top 10 most searched hospitality equipment items in 2025
What to consider before buying
The smartest way to finance them (and avoid costly traps)
Let’s dive in.
Why Hospitality Equipment Matters More Than Ever
In 2025, equipment can make or break your efficiency, your service speed, and even your customer experience.
Fast ovens mean faster table turnover
Reliable refrigeration means less spoilage
The right coffee machine = loyal customers and repeat visits
So if you’re going to spend big—you want to do it right. That starts with knowing your options, and ends with choosing finance that supports your business—not traps it.
Top 10 Hospitality Equipment Items (Based on Real Search Trends)
1. Commercial Coffee Machines
Whether you’re a small café or a high-volume brunch spot, a great machine isn’t optional—it’s your moneymaker.
What to consider: reliability, brand support, milk texturing, multi-group heads
Financing tip: Avoid rent-to-own models that inflate the cost. A fixed-term finance plan gives you ownership from day one and often works out far cheaper.
2. Commercial Ovens (Combi, Deck, Convection)
Your oven defines your food quality and consistency. And in 2025, energy-efficient models can save thousands over the long run.
What to consider: menu needs, ventilation, footprint
Financing tip: Many ovens qualify for equipment finance with no-doc approvals under $50K.
3. Fridges and Freezers
Upright or under-counter, good refrigeration protects your stock—and your reputation.
What to consider: energy rating, internal volume, service availability
Financing tip: Choose a loan that allows flexible repayment matching your cash flow (especially for seasonal businesses).
4. Dishwashers
A high-performance commercial dishwasher improves hygiene, lowers staff load, and speeds up kitchen turnover.
What to consider: cycle times, water usage, warranty
Financing tip: Low-doc or same-day finance is often available for equipment under $20K.
5. Food Prep Equipment (Mixers, Slicers, Blenders)
This gear saves hours of manual work—boosting efficiency and consistency during prep time.
What to consider: durability, safety features, ease of cleaning
Financing tip: Bundle multiple smaller assets into one loan to streamline repayments.
6. Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems
Your POS is the brain of your operation—managing orders, payments, reporting and even rostering.
What to consider: integration with other platforms, speed, support
Financing tip: Many businesses forget that POS systems are financeable. And yes—upgrades qualify too.
7. Deep Fryers & Grills
These are the backbone of many fast-food and casual dining operations.
What to consider: energy output, cooking speed, cleaning systems
Financing tip: Compare fixed repayments vs variable leasing. Fixed terms often give you ownership for less.
8. Display Cabinets
These are perfect for bakeries, cafés, and takeaway venues. Looks matter—and so does consistent refrigeration.
What to consider: visual appeal, internal lighting, temperature stability
Financing tip: Financing display cabinets gives you flexibility to invest more into fitout or stock.
9. Beverage Dispensers & Ice Machines
Cold drinks drive profits—especially in warmer months or high-turnover venues.
What to consider: self-service vs staff-operated, output capacity, cleaning cycle
Financing tip: These are high-ROI items. Don’t let cash flow delay the purchase.
10. Seating & Furniture
Comfort and layout affect customer dwell time—and your reviews.
What to consider: durability, ease of cleaning, aesthetic fit
Financing tip: Yes, you can finance furniture too. You just need the right broker who knows how to structure it.
Now Let’s Talk Finance: Rent-Try-Buy vs Smarter Alternatives
Many equipment providers push rent-to-own (aka Rent-Try-Buy) as a “flexible” option. But what they rarely tell you is the true cost—often over 50% effective interest rate if you convert it. By comparison, most business equipment loans or finance leases for established operators range between 9% and 13% annually.
Let’s break it down:
Rent-Try-Buy
Upfront Cost: 8-9% deposit bond
Ownership: Pay additional ~65% of the purchase price after 12 months
Total Rental Payments in 12 Months: ~60% of the purchase price
Effective Interest Rate: ~50%+ per annum
Available Term: 12 months
Minimum Trading History: 0 months
Best For: First-time business owners who are unsure what to buy or how to finance it yet.
Equipment Loan
Upfront Cost: 20% of purchase price
Ownership: From day one
Effective Interest Rates: ~10-20% per annum
Available Term: 24 to 60 months
Minimum Trading History: 2 Years (or 2 Use business experience in same industry)
Best For: Business owners with 2+ years in the same industry who want to own their equipment and get better more flexible terms.
Leasing
Upfront Cost: No upfront cost
Ownership: Transfers to you at the end of term
Effective Interest Rates: ~9-20% per annum
Available Term: 24 to 60 months
Minimum Trading History: 2 Years (or 2 Use business experience in same industry)
Best For: Business owners with 2+ years in the same industry who want to own their equipment and get better finance terms.
Smart business owners finance to own—not rent to delay.
At Casey Asset Finance, we match you with over 40 lenders so you’re not stuck with one expensive option. We protect your credit score, tailor terms to your cash flow, and get it done fast.
Why Hospitality Businesses Choose Casey Asset Finance
We specialise in equipment finance for food & beverage businesses
Over 40 lenders and same-day approvals available
No unnecessary paperwork (we speak low-doc and no-doc up to $75k fluently)
We explain everything clearly—no jargon, no surprises
You stay in control. We just help you move faster
We’re not here to push a product. We’re here to help you make smart finance decisions.
We’ve helped many small to large businesses from family-owned cafes to large & popular food service franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finance second-hand equipment?
Yes—some lenders allow it. Especially for items like fridges, fryers and ovens.
Do I need financials to apply?
Almost never. We have lenders that offer up to $75K with low-doc or no-doc applications, and bank statements are usually enough for loans up to $150K.
How long does approval take?
Sometimes within 24 hours—especially for smaller purchases. In May 2025, we even got one client approved in just 1 hour and 10 minutes!
Can I finance multiple items at once?
Absolutely. We can bundle them into a single repayment.
Final Word: Own the Gear That Grows Your Business
The gear you use every day is an investment. Not just in your service—but in your growth, efficiency, and profits.
If you’ve been searching for hospitality equipment and wondering how to pay for it smartly, don’t fall into high-cost traps.
Call Michael today on 0450 622 115
Or email: michael@caseyassetfinance.com.au
Let’s get the right equipment in your hands—on terms that make sense.
