Whether you’re looking to buy wholesale dinner plates for your restaurant or commercial dinnerware for your club or hotel dining room, it can be difficult to know where to start.
You know you need quality, reliable plates that will last for years and make your diners feel like they’re always eating in style. Whether it’s fresh salads and appetizers or decadent desserts, the right plates can create a classic, stylish, or trendy look that suits your dining atmosphere.
But how much do the ‘right plates’ cost? How can you tell if they’re built for a busy kitchen like yours? And where do you find them? Read on for the top 5 things to consider when buying dinner plates or bowls in bulk for your restaurant.
Why is wholesale dinnerware an industry standard?
Not only is wholesale dinnerware manufactured for durability, but it also tends to be more affordable for your restaurant – especially if you take retail prices into account.
When you buy from a reliable wholesaler, you’ll be furnishing your tablescapes with dinner plates that not only suit your restaurant’s serving style, but also create classic, attractive table settings for your diners.
Plus, when you buy dinnerware in bulk you’ll be able to stock your kitchen and dining area with durable plates of all sizes, rather than buying a handful of one kind and a few of another – giving your restaurant a chic, cohesive, and fashionable look.
5 features to look for when buying commercial dinner plates
You don’t serve low-quality starters, mains, or desserts. So the last thing you need in your restaurant are low-quality commercial dinner plates. You need sturdy plates that look great and won’t buckle under the intense heat of the kitchen.
Keep these 5 features top-of-mind when choosing your brand-new dinnerware to build a dining room arsenal that really brings out your restaurant’s professionalism and style.
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Cost
One of the biggest benefits of buying your dinner plates in bulk from trusted wholesalers? It simply saves you money, allowing your restaurant to get the quality and design continuity it deserves without paying inflated retail prices.
So, when you’re looking into wholesalers, ask yourself if their price point aligns with your budget, and if their dinnerware pieces look like they’re worth it. To figure that out, take the next few features into account.
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Durability
Commercial kitchens run hot! The plates you’re buying need to be tough enough to take the heat.
Ask your wholesaler if they’re microwave and dishwasher safe, what temperatures they can withstand, and if the dishes would be suitable for banquets or outdoor events where things can get a bit dicey for dinnerware.
Dishes break. That’s the way of the restaurant world. But your plates shouldn’t shatter after the smallest fall, while washing up, or under the intense heat of the kitchen. So look for durable dishes when searching for your wholesale dinner plates to ensure they’re built to last (not to be replaced).
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Materials
Porcelain is the standard material for wholesale kitchen plates. It’s made from kaolin clay, and when fired to high temperatures, it creates incredibly durable plates.
Many restaurant and club owners choose porcelain plates because:
- They can handle temperatures up to 400°F
- Their surface is non-porous, so stains and odors won’t stick, leaving you with pristine plates after every wash
- They won’t break in the dishwasher
- They always look sleek and professional, complementing any meal
Some of the other materials you’ll find on offer at dinnerware wholesalers include:
- Bone China: Incredibly strong and light, perfect for any busy restaurant
- Melamine: Lightweight and can easily handle temperatures up to 160°F (budget option!)
- Stainless Steel: The most durable you’re going to find, heat-proof and ideal for any modern kitchen (but comes with the highest price tag)
Corby Hall has a wide range of porcelain dinnerware in stock. Manufactured in Europe, we use an advanced firing process which produces chip-resistant plates that eliminate the absorption of bacteria, liquids, grease, and odors, making them 100% hygienic. And many of our plates are made with rolled edges for added chip-resistance and durability.
Our clean, white porcelain plates come in a range of styles from classic dishes to modern plates, and if you want to put your personal stamp on them, we can add custom art, logos, and designs to any of our plates.
We’re sure you’ll find the perfect look for your restaurant. Check them out for yourself.
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Size and shape
Size and shape matter – and not just for looks. Plates of different shapes and sizes vary when it comes to durability and functionality, too. Oddly shaped, awkward dinner plates can slow down service, and depending on how they’re used, they may be more likely to shatter.
Oval or circular shapes are often the best choice, as they’re not only versatile but comfortable, too, which allows for an easy flow for food arrangement. But, rectangular or square dinner plates can create beautiful presentations, especially if your dining experience has a more contemporary vibe.
When choosing the right shape for your restaurant, focus on the shapes and sizes that suit your establishment’s style without sacrificing strength.
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Style
Speaking of style – every restaurant, club, café, or hotel dining room has its own. You might serve casual meals with flashy, colorful dinnerware to match, or your diners might gravitate toward fine dining in elegance, somewhere with glowing lights and neutral colors.
Chosen wisely, the aesthetics you choose for your plates, bowls, and serving trays – the styles, textures, shapes, and colors – can set the stage for a memorable meal. If your guests expect classic luxury and you bring funky pieces to the table, they’ll end up feeling confused (and possibly put-off).
Wholesale commercial dinner plates don’t have to look industrial
Your commercial dinner plates should be cost effective, stylish, and durable enough to fit the needs of your kitchen.
Corby Hall offers wholesale dinnerware that not only looks boutique and polished but are also crafted with the finest quality porcelain so you know they’ll stand the test of time.
Take a closer look at what our large selection of dinner plates has to offer for your restaurant, hotel, or events.