TL;DR. The average restaurant needs 8-12 aprons per chef
(shift rotation + laundry cycle + a 25% reserve). The calculator below gives your exact numbers + a set recommendation.
How many chef aprons does my restaurant need?
Enter the number of chefs and service staff, shift frequency and the laundry cycle. The calculator shows right away how many aprons you should keep in stock — and which Smiletex set has the best price.
Your team's numbers
📊 Your need
- Full-length aprons (chefs)
- —
- Short aprons (service staff)
- —
- Aprons in stock in total
- —
- Aprons per person
- —
💰 Budget-friendly set
- Apron price (€/pc)
- ~12 €
- Set cost
- —
- Where available
- Smiletex apron selection →
Suitable for a starting café or a budget-constrained restaurant.
⭐ Premium set (recommended)
- Apron price (€/pc)
- ~24 €
- Set cost
- Lifespan
- ~3× longer than cheap
Withstands 250+ wash cycles. Cheaper than the cheap option over a 3-year period.
Calculator assumptions
- Chef: 1 apron × 2 shifts × number of shifts × cycle + reserve
- Server: 1 apron × 2 shifts × 1 (often one apron lasts the shift) × cycle + reserve
- Budget apron: basic line, ~€12 (Smiletex budget range)
- Premium apron: Kentaur or Le Nouveau Chef level, ~€24 (250+ wash cycles, 3-year lifespan)
- Reserve: recommended 25% — for peak season + damage + emergencies
How to choose the right apron?
Full-length apron (for kitchen work)
- Protects trousers from grease, sauces and water
- Essential at the grill and fish station
- Suits all chef categories
- 3 or 4 pockets = better kitchen organisation
Short (bistro) apron (for service)
- Gives mobility — a waiter needs to move fast
- A professional fine dining feel
- 2 pockets for the order pad + pen
- Also suits bartenders
Quality vs price — in the long run
A premium apron (€24, 250 wash cycles) vs a cheap one (€12, 70 wash cycles): in cost-efficiency €12 premium = €36-42 cheap. Premium wins almost always when use is regular (1+ shifts a day).