Foodservice industry is not for everybody. At least, that is what most players claim. It takes excellent mastery of tasty menus, smooth service, and effective commercial dining setups to even stand a chance. Every entrepreneur should have their attention focused on delivering the best foods in the most appealing way possible, and in the fanciest environment their budget can allow.
In addition to the suitable investment in the kitchenware, the dining setup is one of the most crucial business aspects that will determine the establishment’s fortunes. Restaurants and coffee shops alike should capture the customers’ attention with great ambiance.
Restaurants that have made it big time in the industry are successful in creating a visually attractive atmosphere, triggering customers’ expectations. Getting the commercial seating right goes a long way in guaranteeing customers a relaxing time.
Consider the following when choosing your commercial dining seating.
Regulations
You want to be working within the regulatory limits when designing your restaurant’s layout. Ensure you understand the regulations around maximum occupation for bars and restaurants, including the minimum area allotted to every customer. On average, the average area per customer in a food service business is 15 square feet.
Available Space
Ensure that your space is sufficient to handle the number of customers you are targeting. Although the cost of hiring commercial spaces has skyrocketed recently, this should not tempt you to overcrowd your setup. A congested area will deteriorate customers’ experience, eating into your profitability in the long run.
Theme
Commercial dining seating forms a crucial part of your brand image. Most high-end customers prefer farmhouse, rustic, and vibrant themes—all of which are determined by the choice of the dining seating you select.
Elegance does not lie on elegantly decorated crockery alone. You should consider incorporating premium materials in your chairs and tables, as it will give an exquisite appearance from the onset. An airy environment will also be a plus.
Budget
It does not matter how exquisite you want your restaurant to look. If your budget does not allow it, forego it. The success of every restaurant business is tied to solid budget controls. Regardless of the size of your café or restaurant, ensure that your spending is capped in a way that allows free cashflows.
Even for a small eatery, you will need about ten tables and 40 chairs. Be open to starting with a smaller establishment if that is what your budget allows. Having few quality seats and tables will be beneficial in the long run as you will just need to add to them as the need arises.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The regulators are very serious about the hygiene of cafes and restaurants. Cleaning your furniture needs to be easy and effective, which should inform the kind of seats and tables you purchase. Customers are increasingly getting more sensitive to their eating joints, and it is your work to ensure clients feel comfortable spending time in your restaurant.
Find the dining sitting that are easy to clean. The ones with smoother surfaces are not easy to remove stains and debris, but also elegant after cleaning.
Easy cleaning saves time for your employees, leaving them with sufficient hours to do other essential duties within the establishment.
Versatility and Practicability
Be smart. Find dining tables and chairs that can work both indoors and outdoors. Alternatively, you can have paintable tables or chairs which can be modified to fit different decorations. A versatile arrangement will not only save you money but also allow you to get creative around different occasions in your restaurant.
Accessibility and Safety
Your commercial dining seating should be suitable for all groups of customers, even those with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) demands food service businesses to incorporate customers with different forms of disabilities. For instance, you can have one ADA-compliant table and seats for every 20.
The space between tables and chairs should be sufficient enough to allow the personnel to carry hot foods and drinks without endangering other customers.
Conclusion
It is paramount to keep your customer’s satisfaction in mind when choosing the next commercial dining seating. Visualize not only the current state of your business but also how you want it to be in the future. Consider the dining seating as an investment rather than a cost.
