Food display cases are commercial units designed to showcase and preserve food items in food service and retail environments. Their primary uses include displaying food products, enhancing visibility, ensuring food safety, and maintaining optimal freshness in delis, bakeries, restaurants, and other food service and retail businesses. Proper food presentation is crucial as it attracts customers, increases sales, and creates an organized environment. Maintaining ideal temperatures ensures food safety and freshness while complying with regulations.
Food display cases feature eight main benefits: enhanced product visibility, improved food safety, increased sales, better organization, and reduced waste. The types of display cases, such as refrigerated, heated, and non-refrigerated models, and specialty cases are designed with different features to meet the different needs of businesses.
7 Benefits of Food Display Cases
Food display cases offer several significant benefits for your food business, from enhanced product visibility to increased sales. They provide an attractive, organized presentation, capturing customer attention and encouraging purchases. Keeping food fresh and at ideal temperatures ensures food safety and quality. Display cases also enhance the customer experience, making it easy to see and choose from various options, leading to higher satisfaction. Furthermore, appealing food displays are effective marketing tools, driving impulse buys and boosting sales. Energy-efficient features of food display cases reduce energy costs and environmental impacts.
1. Enhanced Product Visibility
Food display cases enhance product visibility by presenting items in an organized and aesthetically pleasing way, instantly capturing customer attention and enticing purchases. Most food display cases feature excellent lighting and clear glass, providing a clear view of the products. This visibility makes it easier for customers to see and choose items, encouraging last-minute purchases and boosting sales. By keeping food fresh and at optimal temperatures, display cases ensure customers are served high-quality products, further enhancing the appeal and effectiveness of the display.
2. Improved Food Safety
Food display cases improve food safety by providing a protective shield through transparent glass fronts, creating a sealed environment that safeguards goods from external contaminants. Precise temperature control within these cases ensures that food remains at optimal conditions, retaining moisture, flavor, and texture. Precise temperature control helps maintain the quality and freshness of the products throughout the day, enhancing both safety and appeal.
3. Increased Sales
Food display cases increase sales by serving as an effective marketing tool. They present food in an attractive and organized manner that catches customers’ attention. This visually appealing display encourages impulse purchases, as customers are likelier to buy beautifully showcased items. By enhancing product visibility and presentation, display cases contribute to higher sales and overall business growth.
4. Better Organization and Efficient Service
Food display cases provide better organization and efficient service, allowing businesses to stylishly showcase and arrange their products. They enable easy inventory tracking without frequently opening the door, making it simple for the staff to serve and restock the goods and keeping items well-organized and visually attractive. This neat display prompts customers to purchase, improving service efficiency and sales.
5. Reduced Waste
Food display cases help reduce waste in food service businesses by providing safe temperatures for delicate food items and protecting the goods from dirt, dust, and contaminants. By maintaining ideal temperature and humidity levels for bakery goods, cakes, or various food items, food display cases avoid spoiling, decreasing food waste and extra expenditures.
6. Customization and Flexibility
Food display cases provide customization and flexibility by offering various sizes to fit any environment and different types of refrigeration or heating systems. Whether you manage a small café with limited space or a supermarket with ample room, these display cases can be tailored to suit your layout and design. Depending on your needs, you can choose from various types and sizes to showcase different food items, opting for dry, heated, refrigerated, or dual-zone models. Additionally, they occupy less space than traditional refrigeration equipment, making them an efficient solution for various business needs.
7. Energy Efficiency
Food display cases offer energy efficiency by featuring glass doors that allow customers to see the products without frequently opening the doors. This reduces energy consumption, lowers energy bills, and maintains a stable internal temperature, keeping stock fresher for longer. Sealed doors of cases ensure precise temperature control, saving energy.
8. Aesthetic Appeal
Food display cases provide aesthetic appeal to the products by improving visibility with glass walls, shelves, integrated lighting, and a tilted front, drawing attention to the showcased items. Adding LED lighting enhances the aesthetic appeal, illuminating items with a soft, warm light that highlights their details and vibrant colors, creating an inviting and attractive atmosphere in your establishment.
What are The Types of Food Display Cases?
Food display cases include refrigerated, non-refrigerated, heated units, specialty, bakery, countertop, pastry, chocolate, self-serve cases, bread racks, and crepe stations. Each type is designed to cater to different needs and display products in various environments. You can choose the right food display case type depending on what you will display, your available space, and your budget.
Refrigerated Display Cases
Refrigerated food display cases showcase perishable items while also maintaining cold temperatures. They are used in restaurants, delis, bakeries, coffee shops, and other food service businesses to display perishable foods and products while maintaining safe temperatures. Refrigerated display cases enhance product visibility and keep the products fresh, maintaining a temperature on average of 40°F (4.444°C) or below.
Refrigerated display cases come with two working types: gravity coil and forced air. Gravity coil units have a refrigeration coil at the top to cool foods from above, suitable for seafood, deli products, meats, and salads. Forced air units use fans to circulate cold air, ideal for packaged products, bakery items, and some deli items. Refrigerated display cases are available in full-service, open-air, and self-service, catering to various customer interaction needs.
Heated Display Cases
Heated food display cases, maintaining temperatures at 135°F (57.222°C) and above, are designed to display foods while keeping them warm for optimal serving. These versatile cases are used for different applications, from pizzerias to food trucks, and come with or without humidity features to meet diverse food storage and presentation needs. Ideal for self-serve buffets and efficient kitchen operations, they allow pre-preparation of foods before peak hours, ensuring timely service. Display food warmers boost impulse purchases by keeping pre-made foods warm and visible, benefiting deli shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, snack bars, and restaurants.
Non-Refrigerated Display Cases
Non-refrigerated food display cases are designed to create an eye-catching presentation for non-perishable items. They do not feature a cooling or heating system, consisting of glass walls and multiple shelves for dry display. These cases are ideal for showcasing professional snacks, candies, coffee beans, or other non-perishable food items, helping boost impulse sales while protecting the products from contaminants and dirt in the air. Non-refrigerated bakery display cases are perfect for freshly baked items like bread, bagels, and certain desserts that should not be stored in moist climates. They offer an organized food display in coffee shops, convenience stores, markets, and bakeries.
Specialty Display Cases
Specialty food display cases, such as humidity-controlled or dual-zone models, are tailored to preserve specific food types and provide combined functionality. Dual-zone bakery display cases feature sections with different temperature controls: one at refrigerated temperatures and the other at room temperature, allowing a variety of items to be held in a single case. Available in various colors and sizes, these cases are ideal for coffee shops, bakeries, delis, and similar establishments. Humidity-controlled food display cases maintain the ideal moisture level for specific products to preserve their freshness and quality.
Bakery Display Cases
Refrigerated bakery display cases increase the visibility and appeal of cakes, pies, pastries, and other goods while providing safe temperatures. Refrigerated bakery display cases, or bakery display fridges, maintain a temperature range of 33°F and 41°F (0.555°C and 5°C) and have controlled humidity levels to keep perishable baked goods fresh, soft, and moist. With ventilated refrigeration, these cases ensure uniform temperature across all shelves, making them perfect for displaying desserts that contain eggs or other perishable ingredients. These cases, ideal for bakeries, cafes, and diners, help boost impulse sales by showcasing bakery goods attractively.
Countertop Display Cases
Countertop display cases are compact containers designed to store and showcase dry goods on countertops, saving floor space. Typically featuring wood or metal siding, these cases are ideal for small businesses with limited space for showcasing small items and allow customers to easily see and select the products, boosting sales. By being closed off to outside air, they help preserve the freshness of mostly baked goods and extend their shelf-life, reducing waste. Additionally, their enclosed design protects the food from germs, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
Pastry Display Cases
Pastry display cases are designed to showcase baked goods while maintaining their freshness and protecting them from contamination. Pastry displays are dry cases that keep items like bread, muffins, donuts, cookies, and bagels at room temperature, maximizing their shelf life without refrigeration. Features of pastry displays include multiple shelves, often tilted front glass, and integrated lighting for better visibility. These cases are commonly used in bakeries, cafes, and similar establishments to enhance product presentation and preserve freshness without drying out.
Chocolate Display Cases
Chocolate display cases are specialized units designed to showcase chocolates and cakes, commonly used in pastry and chocolate shops. These cases feature temperature and humidity control to maintain an optimal environment for delicate food items like chocolate. Typically set between 63°F and 68°F (17.222°C and 20°C), they include digital controls for precise temperature management. They feature self-contained refrigeration systems that don’t require floor drains and glass-lit caskets that highlight each item, enhancing their visual and aromatic appeal. By maintaining low humidity levels (below 55%), these cases preserve the quality and presentation of chocolates, making them irresistible to customers.
Self Serve Display Cases
Self-serve display cases are ideal for front-of-house use, allowing customers to easily access products from the front without staff assistance. These cases are rear-loading with sliding doors, enabling easy restocking from behind. They are ideal for bakeries, convenience stores, cafes, and grocery stores, providing grab-and-go solutions and enhancing product visibility to boost sales. Available in both non-refrigerated and refrigerated models, the latter ensures items like beverages, prepared meals, and cakes are kept fresh and at safe temperatures.
Bakery Bread Display Racks
Bakery bread display racks are versatile stands designed to showcase bread and other baked goods in retail environments like bakeries, milk bars, convenience stores, and supermarkets. They feature multiple shelves in various configurations for displaying different baked goods and bread, and each tier has an angled lip to prevent items from falling off. Some racks are equipped with wheels for easy movement. These racks, suitable for vintage and modern bakeries, effectively draw customers’ attention to freshly baked products, enhancing visibility and sales of items such as bread, gluten-free goods, cookies, and croissants.
Crepe Stations
Crepe stations are designed to create a professional and organized presentation for making crepes. Multiple glass containers display the sauces and toppings for crepes, and crepe maker machines are placed to make quick and fresh made-to-order crepe service. The pans are placed inside the glass case for a better display and enhanced hygiene, while the stainless steel base holds the components, offering an elegant look. Freeze packs keep ingredients cold, making these stations ideal for buffets and catered events.
Features of Food Display Cases
Food display cases come with various advanced features, from precise temperature controls to different sizes and configurations, to meet the exact needs of various establishments and ensure enhanced display and food safety. Here are the basic features of food display cases.
Temperature Control
Food display cases feature precise temperature controls, enabling you to adjust settings for different types of food and seasonal variations. These cases come with digital controllers that allow precise temperature adjustments, typically ranging from 33.8°F to 41°F (1°C to 5°C) for cold displays and 122°F to 158°F (50°C to 70°C) for heated displays. Consistent temperature and proper air circulation ensure that food remains fresh and safe from contamination. Features like oversized evaporator coils and low-velocity fans help maintain the ideal environment by evenly distributing temperature and moisture, enhancing the quality and appeal of the displayed products.
Visibility Enhancements
Food display cases aim to create an appealing display of the products, featuring visibility enhancements to attract customers and boost sales. These cases typically include clear glass panels and excellent lighting to showcase products, making them visually appealing and easy to see. Adjustable glass shelves and doors or lids improve visibility and allow customers to view items effortlessly. Features like self-closing doors, angled shelving, and rotating displays ensure that products are prominently displayed and easily reachable, encouraging impulse purchases.
Humidity Control
Humidity control in food display cases ensures the quality and freshness of delicate items such as pastries and cakes. Humidity-controlled display cases come with advanced systems that maintain the optimal moisture level to prevent baked goods from drying out. By preserving the right amount of humidity, these systems ensure that the freshness and taste of the products are retained, making each bite as enjoyable as the first. Humidity control is a feature found in refrigerated food display cases, which eliminates spoiling and drying out at the same time.
Shelving and Storage
Glass shelves and walls of food display cases provide a stylish and efficient way to restock and arrange goods. These cabinets allow businesses to monitor stock levels without frequently opening the doors, maintaining the interior temperature and reducing energy use. Shelves are designed to display products attractively and cleanly, encouraging purchases by making items easily accessible and visually appealing. The type and configuration of shelves vary depending on the products being displayed, with metal wire shelves often used for meats and deli items and glass or acrylic shelves preferred for baked goods. Additionally, built-in lighting options, including specialized bulbs, enhance the presentation by highlighting the colors and details of the food.
Aesthetic and Design Options
Food display cases have various aesthetic and design options, such as straight and curved models, each suited to different needs. Curved display cases are ideal for bakeries or countertop use, as they maximize the viewing area and allow customers to see each item clearly, enhancing the selection process. Straight display cases are perfect for delis or meat displays, offering a space-saving solution while providing clear visibility of the items. When choosing a display case, consider how it fits your brand and space and factors like color options to match your establishment’s interior.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient features in food display cases help significantly reduce energy and electricity usage compared to other refrigeration devices. The clear glass design allows customers to see the products without opening the door, preserving internal temperatures and conserving energy. Self-closing doors minimize temperature loss, and LED lighting is long-lasting and cost-effective. Choosing equipment with high GEMS star ratings ensures compliance with energy efficiency standards, resulting in lower operational costs and increased durability. Always check for the GEMS label to confirm that the refrigeration equipment meets quality and safety standards.
Safety Features
Safety features of food display cases are crucial for protecting customers’ experience and food items and meeting food safety regulations. AHRI certification guarantees that the equipment meets stringent performance and efficiency standards, providing reliability and quality assurance. Additionally, precise temperature control, regulated by the FDA and state health departments, is crucial for maintaining optimal food storage and display conditions. These safety features help prevent food spoilage, ensure freshness, and safeguard customer well-being by adhering to strict regulatory standards.
Size and Configuration
Food display cases’ diverse sizes and configuration options are crucial for efficient space utilization and operational efficiency. Selecting the right size ensures the display case can hold all necessary items without occupying excessive floor or kitchen space. Accurate measurements of the available space and estimation of internal storage needs will help choose the right one. Smaller display cases can benefit items with short shelf life, saving space and reducing energy costs. Conversely, larger units are better for delis with various items. Low-profile variations offer a solution for limited spaces, maintaining ample storage without clutter. The size directly impacts product storage, energy consumption, and overall business efficiency.
Portability
Portable food display cases provide flexibility in kitchens or food retail stores. Portable units include compact-sized countertop models or cases of any size featuring wheels for mobility. Countertop display cases are portable, can be transferred wherever necessary, and provide temporary storage solutions within a store or different event venues. The benefits of portability include flexible display arrangements, easy cleaning and maintenance, and the ability to adapt to changing store layouts or promotional needs.
Technology Integration
Modern food displays promote technological features for maximum efficiency and better customer experience. Some technological features include digital temperature and humidity control displays and smart connectivity for remote inventory monitoring. Digital displays ensure precise temperature and humidity control, ensuring food safety. Smart connectivity enables remote access via smartphones or computers, allowing users to manage settings and receive alerts from anywhere. These advancements enhance operational efficiency, prevent food spoilage, and ensure that food items are always presented at their best.
Durability
Durability is an essential feature of food display cases to endure the heavy usage of commercial kitchens or retail businesses. Food display cases are mostly made of robust materials for maximum durability, such as stainless steel and tempered glass, which resist corrosion and damage. This ensures long-term performance and reliability in busy food service environments. Additionally, choosing a display case with a good warranty and strong after-sales support guarantees quick repairs or replacements in case of defects, further enhancing its durability and ensuring continuous operation.
Accessibility
Food display cases offer various accessibility features, including dual service (front and rear access), full service (rear access only), and self-service (easy customer access) options. These features ensure easy access to the products for an easier shopping experience, which greatly impacts impulse sales. Easy access for the staff is essential for quick and simple restocking without interrupting the shopping experience. Sliding doors are ideal for limited space behind the counter, while hinged doors are better for displaying larger items in smaller food displays, enhancing overall convenience and efficiency.
Purchasing The Right Food Display Case
When buying the right food display case, you need to consider criteria such as the food type, the volume of the product you will be displaying, and the type of your business. The type of food you want to display will determine what kind of display case you need, whether heated, refrigerated, or non-refrigerated.
The food type determines the temperature and humidity control needed to ensure the safety and quality of the food. Considering the volume of the food to be displayed will help you choose the right size unit and shelving numbers to provide enough storage. How often you will use the food display case, how durable it should be, and your energy-saving aim and strategies help you choose the right unit, depending on your business type. For further details on choosing a refrigerated display case, you can check our article about considerations for industrial refrigerators.
Installation and Maintenance of Food Display Cases
Here is the basic installation process of food display cases step by step:
- Inspect the crate for damage upon arrival and note any damage on the bill of lading before signing.
- Use the four leveling legs to ensure the case is leveled on all four corners for proper drainage and door closure.
- Ensure installation clearance (which can differ depending on the model) of 86 in (218.44 cm) at the top, 20 in (218.44 cm) at the rear, and 12 in (30.48 cm) at the sides.
- Avoid placing the case near heat sources, excessive air movement, open doors, or direct sunlight.
- Move the case to its final location before removing the shipping skid and ensure the condenser inlet is not blocked.
- Report any concealed damage within 24 hours to customer service.
- To install shelves, open the front glass and remove the rear doors, then close the front glass and reinstall the doors after shelving.
- Only a licensed electrician should handle electrical installations, following applicable standards and using a dedicated breaker.
- Test or request a demonstration of the display case to assess functionality, performance, and customer interaction.
- Cleaning and maintenance
Regular cleaning is crucial for the proper operation of food display cases. Choose models with easily removable shelves and trays for daily cleaning, ensuring hygiene and extending the unit’s life. Periodically clean the condensers, as they can accumulate dust and dirt, with units featuring accessible magnetic and filter covers simplifying this task. Display cases with self-cleaning functions or antimicrobial coatings support efficient maintenance. Consistent hygiene practices ensure food safety and attractive presentation and enhance the unit’s longevity and operational efficiency, reducing frequent service costs.
For further information on installing and maintaining a display case, see our commercial refrigeration installation and maintenance article.
Conclusion
Food display cases are versatile and practical units providing both an appealing display and safe temperatures for food products. The appealing visibility of the products enhances customer attraction and boosts impulse sales, another benefit of food display cases. The various types of cases, including heated, refrigerated, nonrefrigerated, and specialty units, cater to diverse needs, making them versatile tools for any establishment. Investing in high-quality food display cases is a strategic decision that boosts your business’s aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency, whether as a deli, bakery, restaurant, or other food service and retail business owner.
