Canteen Display Case

A canteen display case is an effective tool for organising food presentation and visual marketing. Properly displayed food stimulates customer choice and increases sales volumes — aesthetically presented food in a display case is one of the key factors that encourage impulse purchases in canteens and cafés. In canteens, cafés and restaurants, display cases are standard equipment that improves customer experience and streamlines the service process.

Types of canteen display cases

Hot food display cases maintain the temperature of prepared food from below or from the sides using heating elements or infrared lamps. These display cases are essential for presenting first courses, hot side dishes and main meals in self-service canteens and cafeterias. Maintaining the correct temperature ensures both food flavour and compliance with hygiene requirements.

Cold food display cases maintain a lower temperature for salads, desserts, fresh products and beverages. Salad bars, pastry display cases and drink display cabinets belong to this category. Refrigerated display cases ensure that perishable products retain their freshness for longer.

Neutral display cases without temperature control are used for bread products, cakes and items that do not require temperature regulation. These display cases primarily serve for the visual display of food and protection from dust.

Selection criteria

The main criterion is the display case’s capacity and temperature range. A hot food display case should be chosen with sufficient capacity for the entire food range during peak hours — an insufficient display case requires more frequent replenishment, which complicates staff work.

The second aspect is the display case’s design and layout. A customer-friendly design with good lighting and clearly visible products increases sales. Display cases where food is placed at the customer’s eye level or with curved glass that provides better visibility are usually more effective.

Energy efficiency and ease of cleaning are practical everyday considerations. The display case must be easy to disassemble and clean — especially for display cases with food on show, where daily cleaning is a mandatory hygiene requirement.

Application

School and institutional canteens use large hot food display cases in self-service format to ensure efficient flow processing for a large number of customers in a short time. Cafés and patisseries use cold and neutral display cases for presenting cakes, salads and sandwiches. Fast-service restaurants use hot food display cases to keep ready-made products in a constant state of readiness.

Lighting and food presentation

The internal lighting of a canteen display case directly affects the attractiveness of the food. LED lighting with a warm tone makes the colours of hot food more vibrant and appetising. Proper lighting is a marketing tool — the aesthetics of the display case directly influence customer choice and impulse purchases in cafeterias or canteens.

Temperature requirements and HACCP compliance

HACCP standards set strict temperature requirements for food storage — hot food above 63°C, cold food below 5°C. Display cases with temperature regulation must ensure a stable temperature throughout the entire display case volume. Food inspectors check display case temperatures and monitoring logs that confirm constant temperature control.

Cleaning and daily maintenance of display cases

Food display cases require daily cleaning after work hours — food residues, greasy steam and moisture accumulate on the glass surface and inside the display case. An easily disassembled interior and stainless steel surfaces make the cleaning process easier. Regular and thorough cleaning maintains the display case’s aesthetic appearance and ensures compliance with hygiene requirements.

Self-service display case design

In self-service canteens, the display case design must ensure convenient customer access and clearly visible content. Food should be placed at the customer’s eye level, and prices or food names must be clearly legible. Curved glass or an open-format display case provides better product visibility than straight glass.

Energy efficiency for refrigerated display cases

Cold food display cases with continuous cooling are significant energy consumers. LED lighting and the latest generation compressors reduce energy consumption compared to older models. Energy-efficient display cases with good thermal insulation are more economical to operate — this is important in large canteens with many display cases.

Display case sizes and space planning

The length and height of the display case should be chosen according to the available space width and the planned food range volume. In canteens with a large customer flow, longer display cases are recommended to avoid congestion at popular items. Modular systems allow adding or reducing display case capacity according to changing needs.

Food display and rotation principles

Food displayed in the case should be rotated regularly — the FIFO principle ensures that older products reach customers first. The amount of food in the display case should be replenished frequently enough to keep the display case looking full and attractive. Product labelling with preparation time facilitates food freshness control.

Seasonal use and menu changes

Canteen display cases serve both as storage and marketing tools — the visual display of seasonal or promotional food attracts customer attention. Updating the seasonal menu with corresponding products in the display case creates the impression of a thoughtful approach. This is a way to engage customers in canteens and cafés.

The display case as a sales tool in the canteen

A well-designed canteen display case is one of the most effective sales tools in self-service catering — visually appealing, well-lit food encourages impulse purchases and promotes the choice of additional portions or desserts. Customers who see a full and aesthetically arranged display case on average spend more than those who choose from a written menu. This effect has been observed, and improving display case quality is reflected in sales figures. BHS helps select display cases with good lighting and optimal food display.

Why choose BHS?

BHS – Baltic HoReCa Solutions supplies professional equipment for restaurants, cafés, hotels and canteens: more than 20,000 products from many manufacturers. Our specialists help you choose the right equipment and spare parts for your kitchen or bar.

Delivery

We deliver across the European Union. Delivery time and cost depend on the order volume and destination — contact the BHS team for an exact price and lead time.