Metro Buying Guide Hub
Put Every Inch of Your Operation to Work
Metro is more than shelving. It is a system for optimizing storage, workflow, organization, hot holding, proofing, and movement throughout a foodservice operation.
Use the Quick Picker for a starting point, or provide Russell Hendrix with your available space and operational requirements. Our specialists can optimize the layout and prepare a customized Metro configuration for your review.
Quick Picker: Find Your Metro Starting Point
Start With the Space, Not the SKU
Metro systems are modular, so the strongest solution starts with the room and workflow. Share the available space, what must be stored or moved, and the environmental conditions. Russell Hendrix can then optimize the configuration rather than asking you to assemble a system one component at a time.
A consistent Metro standard across rooms and locations makes future expansion, replacement, and staff training easier.
Best-Fit Operations
Metro is especially useful where storage, movement, staged production, and equipment uptime must stay predictable.
Storage Systems
Choose by environment, cleanability, and long-term flexibility—not simply by lowest initial cost.
Chrome remains a sound value for dry storage. For walk-ins, dishrooms, and damp areas, start with Super Erecta Pro (Metroseal PRO) : removable polymer mats improve cleanability and will not chip, rust, or corrode. When the goal is the strongest all-around platform, MetroMax Q is the preferred starting point across dry, refrigerated, and wet areas because it combines corrosion resistance, removable mats, quick adjustment, and a broad accessory platform.
Provide the available room dimensions and describe what must be stored. Russell Hendrix can optimize shelf depth, length, height, aisle access, and accessories, then prepare a customized configuration for review.
Recommended starting points
- Chrome: economical dry-storage solution.
- Super Erecta Pro: preferred over standard Metroseal for walk-ins and wet areas. Same price as Metroseal
- MetroMax Q: best overall platform for space optimization and long-term flexibility.
- Mobile systems: specify the shelf, posts, load, floor and casters together.
Chrome Super Erecta
Use in dry storage when value and familiar wire-shelving compatibility are the main priorities.
Super Erecta Pro
Metroseal-coated frames with removable polymer mats for walk-ins, dishrooms, and humid areas. Easier to clean than wire and designed for long corrosion resistance.
MetroMax Q
The preferred system for most areas—including dry storage—with removable mats, quick shelf adjustment, strong corrosion protection, and extensive accessories to reclaim wasted space.
Shop Stocked Chrome
A practical online starting point for dry rooms, packaged goods, and general back-of-house storage.
Metroseal PRO
Specify Super Erecta Pro instead of standard Metroseal where cleanability, removable mats, and damp conditions matter.
Space Optimization
Use shelf spacing, corner layouts, mobile systems, dunnage shelves, labels, dividers, and overhead or wall systems to increase usable capacity.
Featured System: MetroMax Q
Quick-to-adjust shelves with removable polymer mats, corrosion-resistant construction, and broad accessory compatibility.
Configure MetroMax QLet Russell Hendrix optimize the room
Provide the room dimensions, door locations, obstructions, product types, and required access. Russell Hendrix can develop a customized layout that uses wall runs, corners, vertical clearance, and mobile or high-density options more effectively.
This is particularly valuable in walk-ins and compact storage rooms where a few inches of shelf depth, post placement, or aisle clearance can materially affect capacity.
Why removable shelf mats matter
Removable polymer mats can be lifted out and cleaned in a sink or commercial dish machine. They avoid the chipping and difficult wire-by-wire cleaning associated with traditional coated shelving while preserving air circulation through an open-grid design.
Stationary versus mobile shelving
Stationary shelving suits fixed storage zones. Mobile and high-density systems can improve cleaning access or add capacity, but the system must be designed around floor condition, load stability, aisle width, turning clearance, and appropriate casters.
SmartWall, Prep Stations & Workstations
Bring storage, tools, ingredients, and work surfaces together around the task.
SmartWall should be considered on virtually every storage and workflow conversation. It reclaims underused wall space above sinks, worktables, prep areas, and equipment—keeping tools visible, off work surfaces, and within reach. Shelves, grids, and accessories can be repositioned quickly as the task changes.
Complete SmartWall kits are available for common sink, prep, pizza, and shelving applications, while custom base units and accessory packs can be configured around the exact work zone. For SmartWall, TableWorx, SmartLever, or multi-station projects, involve Russell Hendrix early so the layout and components are specified as one compatible system.
Choose by workflow
- PrepMate: compact preparation and organized mise en place.
- SmartWall: maximize vertical space, declutter work surfaces, and improve tool access.
- TableWorx: configurable stainless worktable platform.
- SmartLever: open-access cantilever shelving and workstations.
Compact food prep
PrepMate compact prep stations are specified with Russell Hendrix Sales so the dimensions and accessory package match the task.
SmartWall: Expose the Opportunity
Ideal above sinks, worktables, prep areas, and equipment. It supports cleaner counters, safe air drying, faster access, and easy reconfiguration.
Design a SmartWallConfigurable worktables
TableWorx combines a premium table with overshelves, accessory grids, casters, and workflow-specific additions.
Cantilever systems
SmartLever provides clear access beneath shelving and can support task stations, coolers, and service areas.
Parts, Casters & Accessories
Extend, repair, organize, or mobilize an existing Metro system.
Small Metro components often solve the operational problem without replacing an entire rack or cart. Casters deserve particular attention: they determine how a loaded unit tracks, turns, brakes, and survives damp floors, thresholds, and frequent movement.
Do not default to the cheapest caster
The commonly supplied 5M and 5MB casters are entry-level choices. For mobile shelving—especially in walk-ins, dishrooms, and damp areas—start with 5MP or 5MPB polyurethane casters for a materially better operating experience.
Check before ordering
- Confirm the shelf or cart series.
- Prefer 5MP or 5MPB polyurethane casters for demanding mobile shelving.
- Verify post diameter and finish.
- Keep common replacement parts standardized.
Organization Accessories
Use dividers, hooks, and labels to improve slotting and make high-use inventory easier to locate.
Replacement Components
Split sleeves, posts, shelves, and hardware help restore or reconfigure existing systems.
Better Mobility
Use 5MP for swivel movement or 5MPB when a brake is required. Confirm stem compatibility, floor condition, load, and the number of braked casters.
Featured Product
Compatibility matters more than appearance
Metro components can look similar while serving different systems. Confirm the exact product family, post type, caster interface, and intended use before ordering replacement parts.
What spare parts are worth stocking?
Operations with many Metro units often benefit from keeping frequently used split sleeves, labels, compatible casters, and a small set of organization accessories on hand. The right spare list depends on the systems already standardized across the facility.
Holding & Proofing
Protect service timing between production and the point of service.
Metro offers many cabinet SKUs because cabinet selection is application-specific. Begin with the food process: heated holding only, holding with passive humidity, holding with precise humidity, proofing, or proofing and holding.
Then specify cabinet height, clear or solid doors, Dutch or full doors, lip-load or universal slides, voltage, amperage, plug configuration, recovery needs, transport requirements, and the time food remains in the cabinet.
Key decisions
- Holding only, passive humidity, precise humidity, proofing, or combination use.
- Undercounter, half, three-quarter, or full height.
- Clear or solid; full or Dutch door.
- Lip-load or universal slides; plug and amperage.
Heated Holding
For prepared food staged close to service, with cabinet size matched to production volume and meal timing.
Proofing
For bakery and dough workflows where controlled warmth and moisture are part of production, not only service.
Door & Capacity
Clear doors support visibility; solid doors can reduce visual clutter. Capacity should reflect actual batch size, not only peak theoretical volume.
Featured Product
Start with the exact application
Heated holding maintains prepared food for service. Passive humidity helps reduce drying without precise moisture control. Precise-humidity cabinets are intended for applications where product quality depends on controlled moisture. Proofing requires lower temperatures and independent moisture control. Combination cabinets add flexibility when both processes are genuinely required.
Clear door versus solid door
A clear door lets staff check contents without opening the cabinet, which can support workflow and reduce unnecessary heat loss. A solid door may suit areas where visibility is less important or appearance and durability are prioritized.
Electrical planning
Confirm voltage, plug, circuit capacity, cord routing, ventilation clearance, and final cabinet position before ordering. Electrical fit should be checked at the intended installation point, not assumed from nearby equipment.
Insulated Food Transport
Move prepared food between kitchen, vehicle, staging area, and service point.
Metro Mightylite carriers are designed around food pan movement. Choose the format by pan count, loading style, route length, carrying weight, vehicle fit, and how often staff need access during service.
Front-load or top-load?
- Front-load: organized access to multiple pans.
- Top-load: compact format for smaller moves.
- Standardize formats for packing and cleaning.
- Plan for staff handling and vehicle space.
Front-Load Carriers
Useful when multiple pans must remain organized and accessible without unloading the entire carrier.
Top-Load Carriers
A simpler, compact format for smaller pan counts, shorter routes, and tighter storage or vehicle spaces.
Route Planning
Match carrier capacity to batch size and staff handling. More capacity is not automatically better if the loaded carrier becomes difficult to move safely.
Featured Product
Choose by route, not only pan count
Consider how far the carrier travels, the number of handoffs, vehicle access, stairs or elevators, staging time, and whether one person can manage the loaded carrier.
Standardize packing and cleaning
Using a limited number of carrier formats helps staff learn consistent loading, labeling, movement, and cleaning routines. It can also simplify storage between events or routes.
Utility Carts & Mobile Workstations
Reduce trips and bring supplies, tools, or prep closer to the task.
Metro utility carts and mobile prep products support restocking, dishroom movement, service setup, ingredient transfer, and temporary workstations. Choose by route and task before choosing shelf count.
Match the cart to the route
- Aisle, doorway, and elevator clearance.
- Load weight and shelf configuration.
- Caster performance and braking.
- Handle position and cleaning access.
Restocking & Utility
For ingredients, smallwares, supplies, and repeat trips between storage, prep, dish, and service areas.
Compact Routes
Narrow carts suit tighter aisles and smaller loads, while larger platforms reduce trips where clearance allows.
Mobile Prep
PrepMate and mobile worktable formats bring a defined task closer to production without creating a permanent station.
Featured Product
Measure the route before the cart
Measure the narrowest doorway, aisle, elevator, and turning point. Include handles, bumpers, and the space required for staff to control the cart when loaded.
Two shelves, three shelves, or a mobile station?
Two-shelf carts are easier to load with taller items. Three-shelf carts increase organization and capacity. A mobile prep station is a better fit when the cart must support a repeatable task rather than simply move products.
Specialty Metro Systems
Some Metro solutions should be specified as projects rather than selected as individual online products.
Metro's foodservice catalogue extends into security storage, track and high-density shelving, beer and wine storage, heated shelving, order pickup, drive-thru staging, dishroom drying, pan racks, can racks, dunnage systems, mobile workcentres, ware handling, and application-based kits.
These systems often require room dimensions, load information, workflow review, accessory compatibility, and installation planning.
When to involve Sales
- The system spans more than one product family.
- Room dimensions or aisle clearances drive the design.
- Mobility, track, security, heat, or refrigeration is involved.
- The required configuration is not listed online.
Build a Connected Metro System
The strongest Metro plans connect storage, movement, production, holding, and service rather than treating each purchase independently.
Standardized dimensions, finishes, casters, accessories, and transport formats make the system easier to expand and maintain. Russell Hendrix can help plan a Metro solution for one room, one workflow, or an entire facility.
