The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact companies’ ways of doing business. Especially in the hospitality industry, business owners have to make several changes to retain their customers. While dining outdoors is quite popular during summer, weather makes it more problematic in winter. As the season changes and the temperature go down, you must prepare with your outdoor restaurant furniture to attract customers and maximize your profits.
Many customers prefer outdoor seating to enjoy the ventilated and pleasant atmosphere of outdoor dining. In the Covid-19 era, outside dining is the new normal for restaurants. It not only sets the tone for your guest’s dining experience but also allows you to increase seating capacity while adhering to social distancing norms. Additionally, an attractive patio space can makes your restaurant stand apart from your competitors and create a brand image. Especially in the winter season, the patio, if utilized smartly, offers a cozy, private place to dine.
How to make most of the Restaurants’ Patio in Winter?
Preparing your patio for the winter season requires thoughtful planning and meticulous execution. Read on to know about the measures you can take to attract guests for a profitable restaurant business.
1. Make it Warm by Using Outdoor Patio Heaters and Outdoor Fire Place
Investing in heating equipment might appear to be overkill on the onset, but it is a smart move. These investments not only extend the life of your patio furniture, but they offer exclusivity to your establishment as well.
Patio Heaters:
The easiest way to winterize your restaurant dining is by setting up outdoor heaters. Commercial patio heaters keep your guests warm during chilly nights and make your outdoor seating accessible throughout the year. The best outdoors heaters, with electronic ignition, adjustable controls, and safety features, are easy to install, use, maneuver, store, and maintain. Investing in these efficient and trendy patio heaters is the best way to show your customers that you care about them.
Outdoor Fireplace:
No matter how many appliances you purchase, nothing beats the old-world charm of a fireplace. An outdoor fireplace introduces elements of drama, light, heat, and sounds to your patio and sets the tone for a jolly time. Whether you choose a fire bowl or a portable fire pit, it is a great way to monetize your patio. Outdoor fireplaces are a cost-effective way to winterize your patio and create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
2. Make It Comfortable with Exclusive Outdoor Furniture
Encourage your guests to dine outdoors by creating a cozy atmosphere. Here are a few ideas:
Outdoor/Patio Furniture
Since furniture is the centerpiece of any restaurant design, investing in commercial, high-quality outdoor furniture can make your restaurant unique. From lightweight aluminum to heavy-duty granite, from vintage resin to minimalistic plastic, you can select from several options at Missouri Table & Chair. Their specially designed sofa sets make for a comfortable outdoor seating arrangement outdoors.
Decorate with Various Attractive Things Like Candles & All
Candles on the dining table at a restaurant set the tone for an intimate dining experience. Unscented candles are the perfect way to add warmth to your restaurant’s theme without tempering the taste and smell of dishes. Additionally, by placing candles on the dining tables, you can experiment with candle holders as an additional design element.
3. Make It Private and Intimate with a Unique Dining Setting
Think out of the box to offer a unique dining setting for your guests. For example, dining pods are a creative way to provide an intimate and safe outdoor seating arrangement. Similarly, when it comes to restaurant furniture, go for durable outdoor dining tables that are easy to maintain.
After all, they must withstand the harshness of winter and should be easy to clean and sanitize as well. From dark-colored steel to teak inlay, you can experiment with different materials and designs for an intimate setting. All these elements will pique your guests’ interest and keep your business afloat in these testing times.
4. Provide Exclusive Dinner Menu
A specially created outdoor dinner menu gives exclusivity and encourages your guest to dine outdoors.Offering customized appetizers and drinks are the easiest way to intrigue your customers. A separate menu of bone-warming dishes like hot cocktails, soups, stews, pot-pies, noodles, lasagnas, etc., will bring your customers into your patio. Additionally, you can run promotional offers like complimentary drinks, happy hour menu, discounts, etc., to attract more customers.
5. Add Music & Lighting to Provide a Unique Dining Experience
Rather than merely focusing on the dishes, utilize your outdoor space to provide a unique dining experience. In addition to the intimate setting, separate menu, and discounts, you can go the extra mile to woo your guests. For example, if you have space, you can hire musicians for live performances and entertain your guests. Even if you don’t have sufficient space on your patio, you can still install speakers to play music to lift your guests’ mood. Using lighting is another way of jazzing up your restaurant’s outdoor atmosphere. Dim lighting on the restaurant terrace or trees, lanterns, etc., are some of the creative ways to keep your restaurant ahead of your competitors.
Conclusion:
Instead of packing and storing your outdoor furniture in winter this year, get intuitive and transform your restaurant’s outdoor space. Rather than just serving the guests on your patio during winters, think of ways to engage them. This article suggests some novel ways to transform your restaurant’s patio for offering a unique dining experience to your guests. From entertainment to the menu, from patio heaters to restaurant furniture, from ambiance to discounts, these tips cover different aspects of your restaurant business.
Hopefully, by taking a cue from these ideas, you will be able to winterize and monetize your restaurant’s outdoor seating to offer an experience that goes beyond food.
