Rent or buy a gastro dishwasher - what really makes sense?

When you buy a gastro dishwasher, it's yours. No ongoing rental costs, no contractual obligations. You choose the model that suits your business exactly - in terms of size, performance and features. And in the long term, buying can be cheaper than renting, especially if you use the appliance for many years.

But: the purchase has its price, in the truest sense of the word.

The purchase costs are high and put a direct strain on your liquidity. You have to take care of maintenance, repairs and possible breakdowns yourself, which can quickly add up. There is also a risk that the technology will become obsolete before the investment has really paid for itself.

Conclusion:
If you plan to use your device for a long time, your finances are stable and you want maximum control, buying it may be the right solution. For start-ups or companies with little room for maneuver, however, this is a big chunk.

If you prefer to remain flexible and don't want high initial costs, renting is a real alternative.

Instead of investing several thousand francs at once, you simply pay a fixed monthly installment - often including maintenance, repairs and servicing. This protects your liquidity and gives you planning security. Renting can be a much more relaxed solution, especially if you are starting out or your business is seasonal.

But the rental model also has its downsides.

In the long term, you often pay more in total than when you buy - especially if you use the device for many years. And you are bound by the rental contract. This means less flexibility when changing models, canceling the contract or if your requirements change.

Conclusion:
Renting can save you a lot of organizational effort - especially at the beginning. But the longer you need the device, the more you should calculate whether the model is really worth it.

Leasing sounds like renting at first, but it's more than that - and a kind of middle ground for many catering businesses. As with renting, you pay a monthly installment, but at the end you have the option of taking over the dishwasher. This allows you to use state-of-the-art technology without having to dig deep into your pockets.

But beware: leasing is not always worthwhile.

In the total cost calculation, leasing is often more expensive than a direct purchase. And here, too, you are contractually bound - which can be a disadvantage if your business develops faster than planned or your requirements change.

Conclusion:
Leasing is suitable if you want state-of-the-art technology, need to protect your liquidity and want to keep the option of ownership open. This can be a clever compromise, especially for fast-growing companies.

Let's do the math.

Imagine you need a normal undercounter catering dishwasher. Nothing fancy, but reliable and powerful.
Cost point: approx. CHF 7,500.

Alternatively, you can rent a comparable model from Gehrig for CHF 249 per month - all-inclusive: maintenance, repairs, service, consumables. No stress, no risk.

After 5 years, both models are almost the same price - but with one big difference:
With the rental model, you don't have to worry about anything. No repair stress, no unexpected additional costs.

Conclusion:
If you want predictability, flexibility and as little effort as possible, renting can be the better solution - especially in the first few years.
If you know that you will use the device for at least 6-8 years and have reserves for repairs, it may be worth buying. But then you also bear the full risk.

If you are unsure which solution is right for you:
Talk to us. We have been understanding the requirements of hospitality businesses for decades and will find the solution that suits your business.