Author Archives: Gayla

What Size Restaurant Tables do You Need?

Knowing what size tables your type of restaurant needs is imperative to give your customers an enjoyable experience and increase your general profit. The size of your dining space must be considered along with knowing your customer’s preferences. If you own a coffee shop, bistro, family or fine dining restaurant you will have different table needs for making the best use of your seating capacity. Depending of the types of food you serve you may need larger tables for multiple dishes or extra utensils. Keep in mind that local restriction codes and safety requirements must be followed.

The overall goal when it comes to furnishing your restaurant with tables and chairs is to have as many comfortably seated patrons as possible. The traffic flow of the room and space between tables for aisles is important also. The suggested space between backs of chairs is 25”- 30” and for aisles it is 36” – 42”. A good rule of thumb is 15 square feet (including table, chair and aisle) for spacious dining per customer; taking into consideration the style of your restaurant it may need to be less. For example, if you have a 42” round table to seat 4, multiply 4 x 15 which is 60 square feet for this table, 4 customers and walk space. You don’t want your restaurant to be over crowded or appear too empty, so play with the numbers to arrive at the table sizes your customers will like.

Not only the size of your restaurant tables but the combination of your tables is important. This is to decrease the time your customers have to wait. If you own a small restaurant or a restaurant that does not often cater to large dining parties, then smaller tables would be your best option. Remember that when bigger groups do come into dine, you can always pull your tables together, especially when they are square or rectangle shaped. If you have a family style restaurant,larger tables would better suit your customers. Large dining tables can seat eight to ten people. Sometimes these are used in a separate room or banquet settings.

Two to four person tables are often the most popular among restaurant owners. Tables that can hold that can hold two people typically are 24” x 24” or 24” x 30”. Four people often sit at a 36” x 36” or a 42” round table. For extra seating you could also use 36” x 60” or 36” x 72”.

Commercial grade tabletops are usually sold in two parts. The table top itself and a base. There are a wide range of materials that you can choose from for your table tops for different reasons. Just as a quick rundown the most popular variety is wood, laminate, resin and granite. The most popular styles of bases are made of cast iron (most popular), aluminum for outdoor and stainless steel also for outdoor. You will want to make sure and buy a commercial grade base and table top as they will stand up to repeated use much better than residential options. Another benefit of buying table tops and bases separately is that you can use them with booths. Ground or wall mount bases are very useful in creating intimate booths.

Another thing you might consider is whether or not to get some bar height tables. These are generally used at sports bars or bar and grills.For example, 42” bar height tables are made by simply using a taller base with the table top of your choice. Bar height bases are usually 40 ½” to 41” and then adding a typical 1” to 1 1/2” table top to be close to the 42” standard height. Make sure you match the right table size with the right base to support the weight of the top and not to have the table top wobble. Bar height tables often have a foot rest around the base to make your customers more comfortable. Of course,you will need 30” barstools if you pick 42” bar height tables.

Patio dining requires weather resistant outdoor restaurant tables and chairs for your outdoor area. Is your restaurant in a warm weather climate? Table top sizes will vary because of individual restaurant needs. For example, if the patio is the waiting room for dinner, then smaller tables are appropriate and just the opposite for larger parties eating dinner. Will you need to store your tables in the winter? These are important questions to ask yourself when choosing outdoor tables. If you will not be able to keep your tables outside during the cold seasons, it is vital to buy stacking or folding tables for storage purposes. Smaller tables are more flexible to accommodate a variety of customers, easier to move around and store for the off season.

In conclusion, there are many factors with choosing the right size tables that will be best suited to your restaurant. Here at Missouri and Chair our customer service representatives are happy to help you figure out that right sizes and materials for you.

Understanding Restaurant Furniture Freight Company Delivery

Purchasing restaurant furniture online or over the phone is an excellent way to get exactly the right pieces needed at the best price. However, many restaurant owners and interior decorators still have a lot of questions about the freight shipping process. Here is a guide to freight shipping for restaurant owners to help them better understand how the delivery occurs and what costs to expect.

Freight Delivery Times

Many times customers will wonder why freight companies can’t provide them with an exact delivery time. Freight companies struggle to coordinate between different employees, shipments and routes, which is why most companies can only provide a date or a date range for delivery, and usually can’t schedule a specific time. Try to narrow down a date as much as possible, and prepare to receive the goods during normal business hours unless otherwise noted.

What Extra Freight Charges to Expect

Given the size, dimensions and weight of most hospitality furniture, any furniture items ordered for a restaurant will likely be classified as freight that can only be handled by a freight provider. There are a number of charges you might expect based on the level of service provided and the type of item being ordered.

The freight class of restaurant tables and hospitality chairs will greatly determine a carrier’s shipping charge. There are currently 18 freight classes, ranging from 50 (the cheapest) to 500 (the priciest). Depending on the restaurant furniture ordered, the item will be assigned a National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number that will determine the freight class and charge.

However, other fees known as accessorials may also be charged for services rendered outside of normal shipping process. For example, Residential Fees can apply to businesses that are located outside business zones. Business zones are designed as areas that open and close for the public during specific times each day. If a restaurant is located in a residential zone near homes or apartments, an extra residential service fee may apply.

Restaurant owners may incur an Inside Delivery fee if the driver needs to enter their establishment to deliver restaurant furniture. If a restaurant doesn’t have a dock or manual unloading platform, then a driver may have to use the motorized lift gate on the back of his or her truck to raise or lower your shipment to the ground, which may result in a Lift Fee.

Finally, it’s important to be present when restaurant furniture is delivered. If there is a failed delivery attempt, there may be a duplicated pick-up fee charged the next time the driver comes.

Have Staff or Laborers Ready for Delivery

Often restaurant owners wonder if they need workers ready when deliveries arrive. The answer is yes in most circumstances. Most freight lines only unload at the dock or on the street, and will not enter the establishment. Even freight companies that do will likely charge a high fee for this extra service, so it’s smart to have staff or workers to carry in these goods without the driver’s help.

Two Key Factors when Buying Restaurant Table Bases

round_bases One 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.

The most important factor when buying restaurant table bases are to first consider the base quality. Base quality affects customer comfort and durability. The second important factor to consider is the base style. The style of base, such as round or X-base, affects how the table top looks on the base and how well supported the restaurant table top is.

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.

1. 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.

2. Base Style

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. 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.

Cantilever bases are used with tables that are placed against the wall. These 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 allow for maximum foot room, but they are not moveable. Ground mount bases bolt to the floor and core drilled are set in concrete.

Special bases are necessary for some types of tables. 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 Choose the Right Restaurant Bar Stools

The addition of a few good looking bar stools to your establishment space can totally transform its look and feel. Intended for style and comfort, barstools can be purchased to complement the décor of any bar or restaurant, and create the ambiance you customers will love. However, purchasing the right restaurant bar stools can be a bit tricky as compared to buying standard barstools for home use. Here are some useful points to consider while you make a choice for the restaurant bar stools for your establishment.

Different Styles of Bar Stools

It is important to have the customer comfort considerations in your mind while selecting the right bar stool. Select a design that matches your style and is comfortable for your customers. The options for choosing the right commercial grade bar stool may include, bar stools with or without armrests, cushioned or not, bar stools with 360-degree swivel or those with half swivel or memory swivel, high- or low-backed bar stools or the backless models. However, including these various styles in your restaurant or bar stools depends on the personal preference of the establishment owner. For example, choosing swivel bar stools can add more comfort and convenience for your guests, but it may incur additional maintenance cost. Now, it is up to the restaurateur to decide whether the extra cost is worth the additional comfort those swivel bar stools provide. These different styles of bar stools may also be adopted based on the type of establishment.

Based on Durability of the Bar Stool’s Make

Apart from style and comfort, it is important to consider the durability factor when choosing bar stools. The right type of finish will allow your bar stool to retain its charm, and look new for longer period. The fabric material used in the bar seat can also decide on how durable your bar stool will be. Popular material choices include leather, microfiber and polyester, which are resistant to stains. These materials are easy to clean and maintain, which enhances their durability and makes them a preferred choice among bar and restaurant owners.

When it comes to durability of construction material, wood and metal barstools are on the top list of many establishment owners. Wooden bar stools showcase high durability, making them a versatile and popular option for restaurant bar stools. Available in a variety of wood stain options such as mahogany, walnut, natural and oak, wooden bar stools can beautifully complement almost any color theme and style. Metal barstools, which are usually made from powder coated steel, chrome, or aluminum are a practical and stylish option for bars or restaurants. The beautifully finished metal bar stools are highly durable and long lasting.

Indoors versus Outdoors

If you want to enhance your restaurant by creating an outdoor dining space, you need to choose bar stools for your patio accordingly. Outdoor bar stools are commonly constructed from lightweight metals such as aluminum. Metal barstools are more resistant to weather changes, and work as a better choice for outdoors. Metal barstools are available with a variety of seat options, such as resin, plastic, aluminum, wicker and more. When deciding which one is right for your restaurant, it is all about your personal style, and the comfort and practicality your bar stools offer. What matters the most is if they complement your décor and atmosphere.

Bar Stools with Glides

Choosing bar stools featuring glides on the bottom of the stool legs can be an ideal option for any establishment. The glides assist bar stool mobility allowing bar stools to be moved smoothly and without making noise. The glides also aid in protecting your flooring and preventing it from being scratched. These protective glides come in a range of shapes and construction material – choose the one that fits your establishment.

Back versus Backless Stools

You may choose from a wide range of contemporary design options when it comes to choosing the style of bar stool back. However, choosing a high- or low-backed bar stool or a backless model can totally be a matter of personal choice and convenience to the restaurant owner. If you are tight on space, bar stools with no backs might save you some space, but at the same time, it can be awkward or uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time. Bar stools with backs are the most popular choice for many restaurants because they are durable, comfortable and are available in a wide assortment of long lasting and visually appealing designs.

Restaurant Patio Furnishings that Attract Customers

Restaurant Fire Pit If your restaurant business features a patio, it’s undoubtedly taking up precious real estate and costing you a significant amount per square foot. It’s time to make efficient use of that space.

That means using patio furnishings that increase customer satisfaction, attract crowds and help your patio better adapt to tough weather conditions. Here is a guide to patio furnishings that will help bring your restaurant’s outdoor patio experience to the next level.

Patio Heaters and Fire Pits Equal More Customers

People are simply attracted to fire pits and heaters. The warmth and comfort they provide help sell more food and drinks, make your restaurant patio furniture more enticing, and create the perfect outdoor atmosphere for guests.

Patio heaters and fire pits also provide a chance to dramatically increase your bottom line and get the most from your patio throughout the year. There’s no doubt that spring and fall feature chillier nights, but with a patio heater or fire pit, you can generate money during colder days and nights, and keep your guests happy while they dine on outdoor patio tables and chairs.

There are plenty of hospitality business settings that can benefit from outdoor heaters and fire pits. They’re the perfect choice for a restaurant that wants to create an intimate or even romantic atmosphere for customers. At the same time, outdoor heaters can serve as a great place for customers to gather around at a sports bar to watch a game on a television, ensuring a warm spot for fans to cheer their teams and a reason for customers to spend a lot more in your establishment.

Cool Off With Water Misters

Some people love to be outdoors even during the hottest days of summer, and restaurants can do a lot to attract more customers through the use of water misters. Water misters are essentially the opposite of gas heaters, producing a fine mist that helps guests cool down even in the hottest weather.

Potential customers walking by your restaurant on a street will be immediately drawn to the promise of a cool outdoor water mister, ensuring they can enjoy their meal and drinks no matter how hot it is. There’s also no doubt that the mist floating in the air creates a relaxing summertime environment that customers will love.

Furthermore, outdoor patio furniture such as restaurant patio chairs can get hot in intense sun. A fine mist helps keep your entire patio cool, including your furniture, without actually making your outdoor seating area wet. Essentially, a water mister allows you to strike the perfect temperature balance on your patio.

Ultimately, when you combine a heater or fire pit in addition to a water mister, you help put your outdoor restaurant furniture in the best light and attract guests in all types of weather conditions. These features can also help separate your hospitality establishment, keeping you ahead of the competition and offering you the chance to provide a special feature that keeps your patio at full capacity.

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