One demand in the food service industry that doesn’t change with the passing of time is outside eating. The quantity of dining space available to guests at many restaurants during outdoor dining time may increase or even quadruple. Although it is a desirable feature for both guests and restaurant staff, providing a pleasant outdoor eating experience necessitates careful planning, staffing modifications, and the capacity to act swiftly when mistakes are made.
Here are some suggestions for improving the Outdoor Dining experience :
Focus on Safety
Even while outdoor eating is not technically part of your restaurant, it remains a part of your operation and needs the same amount of safety monitoring. The outdoors can present a variety of fresh problems, including:
- Do you have a covered area to shield customers from the rain? Do you have a quick move-in strategy in case bad weather suddenly breaks out? Is your patio kept up correctly to accommodate rain?
- Are your lighting fixtures and point-of-sale systems made to survive outside conditions? Are all potential points of electrical contact adequately guarded?
- Compliance: Were the disabled and the aged considered in the design of your outdoor dining area’s layout, exits, and entrances? Is your design compatible with the ADA?
The only thing your restaurant can do to ensure client safety on your patio is to reinforce safety protocols among your staff. Safety is a maintenance issue rather than a box to check. Due to spills, residual wetness lost belongings, and other factors, a patio can become dangerous.
Improve your decor
Your outdoor seating area should be decorated to reflect the fact that it typically extends your indoor dining area rather than existing on its own. Despite the fact that outdoor dining areas tend to be more laid back, they should nonetheless match the overall design of your restaurant.
When designing a restaurant patio, it’s important to make the most of outside features like sunlight and vegetation and to balance them out with the appropriate furniture and accents. Make sure your guests have enough shade and covering choices so they can enjoy their meals despite the weather.
Finally, outdoor dining areas can perform a variety of tasks. They can be used for entertainment in addition to their main use of al fresco dining. Consider things like live music, outdoor movies, unique local activities, and more.
Reach out to the Diners
You desire everything runs as seamlessly as it does inside the restaurant when operating an outdoor eating area. This entails providing diners with a setting that is as convenient and comfortable as feasible. There are other options, such as purchasing a mobile POS system that will help you bring it to the consumer. It is obvious that no restaurant owner will go through the hassle of developing new bathrooms outdoors (we can only picture what the permitting procedure would be like!).
If you’re running both indoor and outside dining spaces at once, be sure you designate a person to oversee the outdoor section. Having outdoor diners feel ignored is the absolute last thing you need while expanding outdoors.
Maintain Consistency and Brand Consistency
Whether inside or outside, the restaurant is the same. Remember to maintain consistency no matter how you decide to arrange and run your outdoor dining area. Continue carrying out the small tasks you used to do while business was conducted indoors, and clients will continue to return time and time again.
Diners enjoy outdoor eating because it feels more relaxed and allows them to take in the sights and sounds of their surroundings. As a restaurant owner or manager, you can make the most of this by increasing your seating capacity, modifying your staffing, and being prepared to act swiftly when necessary. By following these tips, you’ll be able to provide your guests with an enjoyable outdoor dining experience that they’re sure to remember.
If you are looking for options to enhance your online presence and want to work on branding, then get in touch with Fleksa.
