When it comes to front-of-house (FOH) cafeteria design, the details matter—and often, they’re the details you don’t know you don’t know. We sat down with Dave Bonfield, P3 Equipment Specialist with over 25 years of experience, to talk about what schools should consider when planning serving lines.
👉Start with the Basics:
Often you start with a set amount of space—but how many serving lines do you really need? It depends on:
•Student and staff count
•Number of classes passing through and speed of service
•Meal periods (Are you serving breakfast? Hot breakfast?)
👉Height Matters:
Serving line height should match your audience. Elementary students need lower lines than high school students for accessibility and safety. Delfield offers adjustable height serving counters that adjust from 28’’ to 36’’ with the press of a button.
👉FlexiWell & FlexiTop:
• Flexiwell technology means you don’t need to choose between hot and cold wells but you still need to consider how many wells you need for your typical menu.
• Are items packaged or plated? This determines whether you need wells or flexible shelving like Delfield’s FlexiWell® and FlexiTop® technology.
👉Ambient Space & Extras:
Think beyond entrées—fruit displays, silverware, napkins, and even treats like chips or cookies need space.
Steril-Sil’s E1 System offers versatile solutions for real or disposable flatware, saving labor and keeping FOH organized. If you’re using real silverware, consider washing and storage workflows early in the design process.
👉Merchandising & Grab-and-Go:
For packaged items and beverages, Federal Industries provides open merchandisers that maximize vertical space for milk, salads, and snacks—perfect for schools with high grab-and-go demand.
👉Power & Water Considerations:
Delfield hot wells run dry, reducing water needs, but cold units require drainage for condensation. Power planning is critical—especially for retrofits. Having an equipment specialist involved ensures proper voltage and placement, avoiding costly surprises.
👉Bottom Line:
Serving lines aren’t just counters—they’re strategic tools for efficiency, healthy living, and student satisfaction. Partnering with experts and leveraging solutions from Delfield, Steril-Sil, and Federal Industries ensures your cafeteria is future-ready.