Looking to build the ultimate automated restaurant in PlateUp!? After clocking over 300 hours of solo gameplay, these tried-and-tested strategies have consistently improved my efficiency and success—especially in overtime runs. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing for day 60+, these tips will help optimize your layout, equipment, and workflow.

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1. Use Freezers to Store Extra Pots

When working with soups, mashed potatoes, or broccoli, prep can be time-consuming. Store an extra full pot in a freezer overnight so you can start the next day with four pots ready to go. This setup is a lifesaver for high-prep recipes and helps you serve faster from the get-go.

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2. Smart Grabbers Are Safe for Auto Bussing

Many players avoid placing Smart Grabbers near tables out of fear they’ll disrupt the setup. But customers’ actions override Smart Grabbers, so dishes will always be cleared correctly. You can confidently use them between tables for fully automated bussing without breaking the system.

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3. Rugs vs. Robot Buffers – Plan Your Floor Smartly

• Rugs & floor mats stop mess buildup but cancel out robot buffer speed boosts.
• Pro Tip: Place rugs near messy tables, but leave robot buffer paths clear to maintain fast service.
  This is key for optimizing both cleanliness and mobility in late-game layouts.

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4. Adjust Seed Settings for More Flexibility

Want Palermo layouts but fresh cards each run? Change the setting under Options > Game > Seed Effects Layout Only. This lets you enjoy your favorite map layouts while still getting random shop items and card choices, making each game feel more dynamic and balanced.

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5. Take Advantage of the Buffed Soaking Sink

Post-November update, the Soaking Sink is a powerhouse for automation:

• Washes a plate every 6.67 seconds.
• With 2 dish stacks and auto bussing, a single soaking sink can carry you into overtime day 40+ with no issues.
  Highly recommended for long runs.

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6. Serve Food from Two Tiles Away

Yes, you can serve over another customer! If someone is sitting between you and the table, you can still serve across them from two tiles away. This allows for tighter dining room layouts, especially useful for Autumn maps or group-heavy scenarios.

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7. Simplify Your Load with Simple Tablecloths

Simple Tablecloths let two customers share one plate:

• Cuts food and dishes in half.
• Slightly slows down ordering, but that’s a good trade-off in low-customer-count runs.
  Use this for efficiency in solo restaurants or when managing complex recipes.

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8. Automate Coffee with Corner Grabbers

Coffee automation is easy with a compact Corner Grabber setup:

• One coffee machine, a counter, a Smart Grabber, and two Corner Grabbers.
  This small build fully automates coffee and helps reduce customer patience loss while waiting.

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9. Breadsticks Are Underrated Power Tools

Breadsticks are OP on large-group or Autumn maps:

• +250% thinking time
• +200% delivery patience

This gives you much-needed breathing room for custom dishes. Just be cautious—longer thinking time means potential queues outside, so only use them when you can control traffic.

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10. Display Stands Help Control Chaos

Display Stands steer customer orders toward specific dishes:

• 3 stands = ~50% chance
• 8 stands = ~90%
• 16 stands = 99%+ targeting

In high-variety restaurants (e.g., Fish), use stands to reduce complex orders like Crab Cakes and streamline automation.

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Bonus Tip: Use the Magic Button in the Garage

Tired of junk items piling up? Use your garage’s blueprint compactor:

• Three random appliances = one new appliance.
• Two identical appliances = one random new item.
• Two upgraded appliances = an upgrade kit.

This keeps your garage clean and may just give you that missing piece for your next run.

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