In the case of restaurants that have a mediocre outside eating space or none at all, it might result in a significant loss of clients and even a negative Yelp review immediately.
As a result, restaurateurs are getting more inventive when it comes to creating and selecting outside seating alternatives for their establishments.
Whether you have a patio in your backyard or a strip of sidewalk, you can transform your outside area into a source of revenue for your company by renting it out.
Offering outside seating expands a restaurant’s revenue and possibility by creating new revenue streams and opportunities.
In the event that you’re wanting to design the ideal restaurant patio, here are some pointers on how to get began.
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Check Your Local Laws & Permits
It differs from one state or municipality to the next in terms of what restaurants may offer and how. They also differ in terms of when they can serve it and where they can serve it.
Some local ordinances forbid outside bars, while others require partitions or café barriers around sidewalk sitting to be installed.
Understanding local rules and securing permissions may sound like something out of a horror movie, but it’s a necessary step in the construction process.
Punishment for breaking local regulations and not having the required permissions can range from a citation to fines and possibly closure if the violation is severe enough.
Before you begin construction on your outdoor patio, be sure you are aware of the applicable rules in your area and that you have obtained the necessary permissions.
Strategize Your Seating Plan
It’s possible that your first instinct is to jam as many tables and chairs as possible into your restaurant patio. In the end, having more tables means having more clients and earning more money, right? This is not always the case.
Before adding any additional seats (whether indoors or outside), be sure your crew and kitchen are up to the task.
Your waiters may be logging more steps on their Fitbits as a result of the additional seating, while your kitchen may be trying to keep up with the midday influx of customers.
If required, employ additional staff or expand your kitchen to match the increase in demand.
It is possible that even if your restaurant workers can comfortably squeeze another twelve tables into their schedule, those twelve tables will not be able to fit on your patio due to space constraints.
In order for both waiters and customers to go around your restaurant’s outside seating without difficulty, ensure that there is sufficient space between tables and chairs.
Find Suitable Furniture
While it may appear to be the most convenient and cost-effective alternative, it is not recommended to reuse your inside table and chairs for your patio.
Outside dining equipment for your restaurant’s outdoor eating area should be composed of robust materials that can withstand the rigors of the outdoors.
Look for commercial outdoor furniture that is both waterproof and easy to clean when purchasing outdoor furniture. Stackable chairs are a good option if you have a limited amount of room.
Additionally, make certain that your patio furniture complements the overall décor and ambience of your restaurant. Having adequate furniture that is in good condition is just as crucial for the running of your restaurant as it is for the image of your establishment.
As a result, if you own or operate a high-end restaurant, you may want to think twice about outfitting your patio with folding plastic chairs – or at the absolute least, consider covering them in a fashionable manner.
Installing Outdoor Lighting
If you want to keep your patio open after sunset, you’ll need to install lighting, unless you have some sort of supernatural power to generate sunshine.
Tea lights, Chinese lanterns, string lights, fairy lights, tiki torches, candles, and other similar items are excellent alternatives for patio lighting that also contribute to the overall ambiance of the space.
In order to ensure that your clients can readily understand your menu selections, lighted menus and menu boards with LED illumination should be used.
Consider the Weather
When serving outside, you must be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store for you and your customers.
Take a look at our suggestions and tactics for safeguarding your restaurant’s patio area from the weather, which includes anything from keeping pests away to providing some shade and keeping your customers warm.
Advertise & Promote
Outdoor dining facilities such as patios, decks, and roofs, in contrast to sidewalk seating, are less visible to pedestrians than sidewalk seating.
Attractive signage, lighting, and décor that draws attention to your outside seating options can help you attract more customers.
Take your public awareness campaign to social media as well: publish your daily specials and even images of your restaurant terrace to increase your client base and raise knowledge of your establishment.
Conclusion
Good restaurant patios are well-versed in these fundamentals and principles, but excellent restaurant patios go even farther in their execution.
Give your outdoor seats a personal touch to help you stand out from the competition in the market.
Food and bar promotions, live music, yard games, an outside barbecue, a portable outdoor bar, and other amenities may be added to enhance your guests’ experience.
A well-designed, one-of-a-kind, and full of character restaurant patio may easily convert those one-time guests into regulars, resulting in increased profits.
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