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Make your Customers Comfortable

 

Restaurant diners

Brunch Choice Crowd Dining Food Options Eating Concept

Not so long ago, it seemed common for trendy or popular restaurants to expect their customers to wait hours to eat and be subjected to less than stellar service.  It appeared that the mark of a successful restaurant was that it could treat its customers poorly.  It is rare to see this attitude from restaurants anymore.  Apparently, the tolerance of restaurant patrons has changed.  Many customers now feel if they spend their hard earned dollars at a restaurant, they expect great service and great food at a reasonable price. Customers also want to be comfortable.  Many of these customers may not dine out as frequently as they used to and therefore want to enjoy their meal at a leisurely pace, instead of just hurriedly eating and leaving.  This article addresses some things to consider when purchasing restaurant furniture and restaurant design to make customers comfortable and keep them coming back.

Basic Restaurant Design

The first thing to look at in creating a comfortable restaurant is the general layout.  Most customers can remember a time they’ve been uncomfortable just seated at a restaurant table.  Sometimes this is because a restaurant has filled the space with too many tables.  Certainly it’s a good idea for restaurants to maximize space, but if customers don’t return because they weren’t comfortable the first time they visited, overcrowding can do more harm than good.  If tables are so close together that they impact the way servers move through the area, it can cause problems with food service.  In extreme cases, it could even cause a server to drop beverages or hot plates, which could cause an injury to a customer.  At the least, when customers feel they don’t have enough room between their chair and the table, or when they find it hard to just get into and out of their chair, they will hardly feel good about the restaurant no matter how fine the food or service is.

Restaurant Tables

In addition to ensuring that there is ample room between the restaurant tables, there are other ways that restaurant tables need to be comfortable.  Many restaurants feature both dining height tables and bar height tables.  These tables are matched to different heights of table bases, which are called dining height or bar height bases.  Restaurant bar stools and chairs come in different heights, but generally the range for dining height is 29 inches to 31 inches from the floor; and for bar height is 40 to 43 inches.  It is important to order the right base height whether you are purchasing the tables and bases together or separately.  Why is this so important?  When restaurants match chairs and tables, there is a specific distance between the seating surface and dining surface that is ergonomically comfortable to the majority of the adult population. The ratio is approximately 12 inches between the seating surface of the chair or barstool and the eating surface of the restaurant table.

Restaurant tables also need to be sturdy.  Probably every customer who has eaten at a restaurant has a tale of a wobbly table.  What contributes most to the stability of the table tops?  Generally, it is the size and quality of the table base.  The thickness of the base column and the overall weight of the base determine how stable the table top will be.  Most quality table bases also feature glides that need to be adjusted most every time the table is moved. Without frequent maintenance, these glides tend to get lost or are not adjusted. Self adjusting glides are levelers that adjust the table to the floor. Most floors are not flat, so this is an automatic leveling device to keep the tables from wobbling.

Restaurant Chairs

Restaurant chairs are arguably the most important factor in whether customers will be comfortable while dining at a restaurant.  While commercial chairs are manufactured for their durability first so that they can stand up to the needs of many different types of customers and frequent use, they need not be uncomfortable.  Many wood chairs are constructed at the factory with sculpted wood seats which makes for a more comfortable seating position.  Comfortable back slat design can also enhance the chair’s comfort.  Extra thick side rails are standard on many of these wood chairs, so people can comfortably rest their feet on the rails.  Many wood chairs and metal chairs come with thickly padded upholstered or vinyl covered seats.  Consider these options and more to make your customers as comfortable as possible.

Budget Friendly Restaurant Tables and Chairs

restaurant table topsIn the current economy, the trend seems to be towards spending less and scaling back. It appears some restaurants are following this pattern. Let’s look at a few recent restaurant trends as examples. One recent restaurant trend is building a restaurant around one ingredient, such as gourmet hot dogs or even just French fries. Another trend has restaurants focusing on small plates, as a way for customers to experience more of the restaurant’s options at less cost.

Some restaurants, like their customers, also need to be budget conscious in starting and maintaining their restaurant business. An experienced restaurant table and chair supplier will be able to provide you with expert advice on purchasing durable, commercial furniture that highlights your color and design theme, while providing you with the best options within your budget. Below are a couple of budget friendly examples in restaurant chair and table options.

Restaurant Tables
Laminate table tops are an excellent, affordable restaurant table option. Laminate restaurant tables come in a wide variety of styles, such as t-mold, wood edge, and self-edge. Laminate table tops are almost infinitely customizable, due to the extensive array of colors and design options available from laminate suppliers, Wilsonart, Formica, Pionite and Nevamar. Missouri Table & Chair laminate tables come in a large variety of sizes, from 24 inch by 24 inch square to 60 inch round.

Restaurant Chairs
Missouri Table & Chair also has some excellent, budget friendly restaurant chair options, both in wood and metal in a wide variety of styles. Just a couple choices, for example, are the model classic A1412 wood frame chair or the stylish A188 series of metal restaurant chairs. Call an experienced representative at Missouri Table & Chair today to discuss your restaurant furniture budget and commercial furniture needs.

Metal Frame Restaurant Chairs and Barstools

Metal frame restaurant chairsIf you are considering purchasing restaurant chairs or barstools, be sure to look at the metal chair and barstool options available.  Metal chairs and barstools options are very stylish and work well in many restaurant settings.  Metal barstools and chairs are an excellent, budget friendly option in restaurant furniture seating.  There are many excellent choices in metal for either indoor or outdoor restaurant chair styles.

Metal frame restaurant chairs are available with a variety of seat options, but most indoor chair models are available with either a vinyl or wood seat. Metal frame restaurant chairs are available in a vast assortment of options in style and color. The metal chair frames come in a wide selection of seat back designs. The vinyl seating options are available in almost any color imaginable – the choices are almost limitless. Missouri Table & Chair carries many product lines that area available with matching metal restaurant barstools customizable with the same wood, vinyl, fabric or upholstery as the metal frame chairs.

Metal restaurant chairs are constructed of durable metals, but they are lightweight, making them an excellent choice for restaurants where the chairs need to be moved around a lot.  Their light weight also makes them easier on the staff, who need to move them for cleaning.  They can be constructed of many types of metals, such as cast aluminum, anodized aluminum, chrome, or steel among others.

With the many options available and their budget friendly pricing, consider metal restaurant chairs when you are shopping for restaurant furniture.

Commercial Restaurant Table Bases

restaurant table basesOne of the first things customers do when shopping for restaurant furniture is to look at the dazzling array of options in restaurant table tops because there are so many beautiful options such as butcher block, granite, and laminate among many others.  When shopping for restaurant tables, keep in mind some basic facts about the restaurant table bases that support the table tops.

To properly match a base to a table top, the size and weight of the table top should be compared to a base that has the ability to support the table top.  This ensures that your customers will be comfortable while seated at the table, and has a great impact on the safety of the customer. The ability of the table base to support the table is one of the most important factors when purchasing a commercial table base.  This article covers some variables and general advice for customers shopping for restaurant table tops and bases.

Base quality

One of the most important factors customers need to look at when purchasing a table base is the quality.  From the outside two bases may look about the same, but all bases are not created with the same quality.  The thickness of the base column and the overall weight of the base determine how stable the table top will be. A base column constructed of 22 gauge steel will wobble much easier than a column constructed of 16 gauge steel. Of course, this all depends on the weight and size of the table top, and properly matching the correct size base to table size and style.  Other parts of the base which affects the quality of the base are the top plate (also called a spider) which vary in quality, size and weight. Base columns that are not cut exactly at 90 degrees will cause table top lean. Base castings that are poor will not allow the base to tighten before the table top is applied.

Cross bases versus round bases

A cross base (also called an X-base) looks like an X on the bottom where the base sits on the floor.  A round table base is constructed with a large round plate where it contacts the floor.  Round bases are usually heavier and may be of better quality for certain table types as they have five points of contact with the table top instead of four points of contact with the cross base.

Long rectangular tables

When purchasing long rectangular tables, the table will be much more stable when matched with two t-style table bases rather than round or cross bases.

Cantilevers and post legs

Tables that are placed against the wall benefit customers by allowing more foot room, especially on booth tables where the booth seating is not moveable. Cantilever bases are attached to the wall and post legs are used at the end of the table to make the table solid enough so customers can push off of the booth table when exiting.

Ground mount or core drilled bases

Ground mount or core drilled bases allow for maximum foot room, but they are not moveable. Ground mount bases bolt to the floor and core drilled are set in concrete.

Regular glides and self adjusting glides

Regular glides are hand operated levelers on a base that need to be adjusted most every time the table is moved. Without frequent maintenance these glides tend to get lost or are not adjusted. Self adjusting glides are levelers that adjust the table to the floor. Most floors are not flat, so this is an automatic leveling device, so restaurant tables won’t wobble which saves staff labor time.  Only a small fraction of restaurants use them however.  Often customers sit at tables that have napkins, or some other impromptu leveling device to keep the table from wobbling. When tables wobble, it may lower the dining experience and customers may not return without letting restaurant management know why.  It’s amazing how an inexpensive table base option can so powerfully impact a customer’s dining experience.

Special bases

Some table tops require a special custom made base by a metal fabricator. This includes over sized tables, extremely heavy tables, unusual bar height tables, extreme customer use or odd shaped table tops.

How to decide on what size base

Consult an experienced commercial restaurant furniture supplier, who will have the best advice on what table base size and style to use. If in doubt as to what size table base to use, it is usually better to purchase a more substantial base.

Designing a Temporary Patio

Some restaurants may be located in historic or entertainment districts where they are allowed to erect temporary patios on a sidewalk or in a central entertainment area. Many locales that allow temporary patios in public spaces have strict codes covering design elements and materials permitted. When considering constructing a temporary restaurant patio, check with the local authority in your area regarding the appropriate restrictions. Restrictions may cover such things as appropriate types of restaurant patio furniture, size of outdoor patio allowed, and types of barrier design.

An experienced commercial patio furniture supplier representative will be invaluable in assisting with the selection of restaurant patio furniture which will meet the guidelines provided by your municipality. Here are a few general tips for constructing a temporary restaurant patio, but again, check with your specific locale.

1. All furniture must by sturdy and not blow over in normal winds. This is one of the reasons only commercial patio furniture should be used. It is manufactured to be much stronger and durable than other patio furniture.

2. All commercial outdoor furniture must be complementary in design and style. Some codes even require only certain colors be used to maintain a consistent theme. Many commercial patio tables, chairs, barstools and umbrellas are available in complementary, matching pieces.

3. Small square or rectangular tables are preferred. These can be pushed together for larger groups. Most restaurant patio furniture dealers carry a large variety of small durable table tops such as granite, resin and wood.