The Benefits of Two Sided Grills for Canadian Restaurants
Learn the amazing benefits of two sided grills. See how they cut cook times, boost consistency, and reduce labour for busy restaurants and QSRs across Canada.
If you are looking to speed up cook times, reduce labour pressure, and keep every burger consistent, Taylor two sided grills are one of the most powerful tools available to restaurants in Canada. These programmable commercial grills cook from the top and bottom at once, which is why so many QSR, c-store, and chain operators trust them for high-volume service.
In this guide, we break down how two sided grills they work, why they matter, the benefits of them, and how TFI Food Equipment Solutions supports operators across Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
What is a Taylor two sided grill and how does it work?
A Taylor two sided grill is a commercial grill with a heated flat cooking surface on the bottom and one or more heated upper platens that lower onto the food. Instead of flipping items manually, the grill applies heat and pressure from both sides at once, then lifts automatically when the programmed time is complete.
Modern Taylor clamshell grills are fully pre-programmable. The system lets you set precise time, temperature, and platen gap for many different menu items, then recall those settings with a single button. This removes guesswork and helps ensure that every patty, chicken fillet, or breakfast sandwich is cooked the same way in every location.
These grills shine in high-volume operations in Ontario and Atlantic Canada where labour is tight and every second on the line matters. If you want faster ticket times, more consistent burgers and chicken, and easier training for new staff, Taylor two sided grills are a very strong option
Key features of Taylor two sided grills
Upper platens: Heated plates that move up and down to apply even pressure, with automatic lift at the end of the cycle.
Multi-zone lower plate: Independently controlled zones so you can cook different products at different temperatures on the same surface.
Programmable microprocessor controls: Store recipes for dozens of products with precise time, temperature, and gap settings.
Automatic gapping: The grill sets the gap based on product thickness so you avoid crushing delicate items.
USB menu updates: Many Taylor models allow USB uploads, which lets brand teams roll out new products or spec changes across multi-unit systems quickly.
TFI Canada carries the full range of commercial grills from Taylor, from high-output three-platen models like the Taylor L810 grill and Taylor L813 grill to compact options such as the Taylor L820 grill and Taylor L828 grill that fit tighter kitchens.
How do two sided grills boost speed, labour efficiency, and food safety?
Why are two sided grills so much faster?
Because they cook from both sides, Taylor clamshell grills do not waste time heating through the product from one surface only. This cooking method can reduce cook times by up to about two thirds compared with a standard open flat-top.
For example, if a frozen patty takes 4 minutes on a traditional grill, you might bring that down closer to 1.5 minutes on a well-programmed Taylor two sided grill. In a busy lunch rush, that can mean dozens more orders per hour without adding any extra staff!
How does it affect labour in Canadian kitchens?
Labour is one of the biggest costs in foodservice. Recent federal data shows average hourly pay in accommodation and food services around 19.48 dollars per hour, with foodservice workers in many provinces typically earning 15 to 21 dollars per hour.
If your grill operator spends less time flipping, checking, and temping product, you can:
Handle more orders with the same crew instead of adding a full extra position on the line.
Cross-train staff so the same person can manage drive-thru, expo, or prep while the grill handles the timing.
Reduce re-cooks and food waste caused by undercooked or overcooked patties.
Two sided grills also simplify training. Because the recipes are stored in the controller, a new hire in Toronto or Halifax can be productive after a short orientation instead of weeks of shadowing a seasoned grill cook.
What about food safety and consistency?
Proper cooking temperature and hold times are critical for burgers, chicken, and other proteins. Taylor two sided grills apply consistent pressure and heat from both sides and they use pre-set, validated cook cycles that support food-safety compliance.
That consistency is especially valuable for multi-unit brands and franchises, where guests expect the same product in every location. TFI’s team in Ontario and Atlantic Canada can also help you validate cook profiles and integrate the grills into your HACCP procedures.
Where do Taylor two sided grills fit in your line and menu?
Which concepts benefit most?
Dual-sided commercial grills are built for speed, consistency, and flexible menus. Clamshell and two sided grills support quick-serve and fast casual operations that need high throughput and strong customisation.
They are a strong fit for:
QSR burger and chicken chains that run all-day parts.
Convenience stores that want to add made-to-order hot food without adding a full cook line.
Cafés and coffee bars looking to expand into paninis and hot sandwiches.
Ghost kitchens and virtual brands that need reliable, repeatable execution across shared lines.
Hotels, campuses, and institutions that want fast à la carte service at peak times.
Menu ideas for two sided grills
Because you can programme different recipes for each platen zone, one Taylor two sided grill can support a surprising amount of menu variety. Common applications include:
Breakfast: Egg sandwiches, bacon, breakfast patties, hash brown patties, and grilled breakfast wraps.
Lunch: Burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken in wraps, and pressed paninis.
Afternoon snacking: Quesadillas, flatbreads, grilled cheese, and kids’ sandwiches.
Dinner: Steaks, pork chops, salmon portions, and grilled vegetables with consistent marks.
Late night: Simple burger and chicken builds that hold up well to off-premise and delivery.
TFI’s culinary team in Mississauga can help you test recipes on specific models like the Taylor L812 grill or Taylor L819 grill, then roll them out across your network with USB menus and standard operating procedures.
How to choose the right Taylor two sided grill model
Choosing the right commercial two sided grill for your restaurant comes down to output, fuel type, footprint, and budget. Here are some of the Taylor grill models that TFI Canada supports most often, along with where they typically fit:
Model | Heat source | Typical use case | Why operators choose it | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
L810 | Electric lower, electric three upper platens | High-volume QSR burger and chicken platforms | Maximum throughput and flexibility with three independently controlled platens | |
L811 | Gas lower, electric three platens | Sites that prefer gas for main cookline with high capacity | Gas efficiency plus precise electric upper heat for chain specs | |
L813 | Gas lower, electric two platens | Busy operations that want two high-output lanes | Strong fit for multi-brand or multi-menu lines | |
L820 | Electric lower, electric two platens | Mid-volume restaurants and cafés with limited space | Great balance of footprint, capacity, and programmability | |
L821 | Gas lower, electric platen | Operators who want hybrid gas/electric flexibility in a smaller footprint | Good for locations where electrical capacity is tight | |
L828 | Compact electric with single platen | C-stores, small cafés, and tight Toronto or Atlantic kitchens | Small footprint with true two sided performance |
When TFI works with you on a new grill project, the process typically includes:
Site survey: Confirm power, gas, ventilation, and space requirements at your location.
Model selection: Match volume and menu to the right model and platen configuration.
Install and start-up: Coordinate delivery, install, and staff training on programming and safe operation.
Ongoing support: Optional TFI Total Care maintenance, priority service, and OEM parts coverage.
FAQs about Benefits of Two Sided Grills for Restaurants
What are the benefits of a two-sided grill?
The main benefits of a two sided grill are faster cook times, more consistent food quality, easier staff training, and stronger food safety. Because the grill cooks from both sides at once, cook times on items like frozen patties can drop by roughly two thirds compared to a flat-top, which lets you handle more orders with the same labour. Programmable controls ensure the same result every time, making Taylor two sided grills especially attractive for multi-unit restaurants in Canada.
What grills does Dairy Queen use?
Many Dairy Queen franchisees in North America use Taylor clamshell grills for their grill platforms, and Taylor highlights more than 1,000 such installations in its materials. However, exact grill models can vary by region, store age, and brand specifications, so the best approach is always to consult DQ corporate equipment standards or your approved supplier list. If you operate a similar burger or chicken concept in Canada, TFI can help you evaluate which Taylor two sided grills align with those kinds of spec requirements.
What type of grills do QSRs typically use?
Quick-service restaurants commonly rely on a mix of traditional flat-top grills and automated two sided or clamshell grills. Flat-tops offer flexibility for mixed menus, while clamshell systems like Taylor two sided grills provide the speed and consistency that big chains need at drive-thru and peak periods. Many brands combine both approaches, using a two sided grill for core proteins such as burgers and chicken, and keeping a smaller flat-top open for specialty builds, breakfast, or limited-time offers.
How do Taylor two sided grills compare with other commercial grills?
Compared with a standard commercial flat-top grill, Taylor two sided grills bring more automation, faster throughput, and better repeatability, especially for frozen or formed proteins. Other manufacturers also offer clamshell or dual-sided systems, and industry pieces from companies like Vulcan describe similar advantages around speed and consistency. The difference with Taylor is the depth of programmability, the proven track record with global QSR brands, and the integrated distribution and service network that TFI provides across Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
Conclusion
Taylor two sided grills give Canadian restaurants a practical way to speed up service, protect food safety, and deliver consistent burgers, chicken, and sandwiches shift after shift. If you are planning a new concept, refreshing an older flat-top, or re-engineering your cook line for drive-thru growth, you can request a free equipment quote from TFI to review models, installation requirements, and financing options tailored to your sites.
Nicole Camposeo-Cheung is the Director of Marketing, People & Culture at TFI Food Equipment Solutions, Canada’s leading provider of premium commercial foodservice equipment. She combines her expertise in business management and fashion arts to foster a dynamic, innovative, and people-centric corporate culture. Passionate about empowering teams, building strong client relationships, and driving growth through creativity and collaboration, Nicole plays a key role in shaping TFI’s brand and workplace culture. She also shares her industry expertise and insights through the TFI blog, helping foodservice professionals stay informed about the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in commercial food equipment.
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