Preparing your Restaurant for Patio Season
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Prepping your Patio
Patio season is an excellent way to attract new business, test new menu items, and generate more revenue for your restaurant. If you’re lucky enough to have the space to offer this feature, then be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
Increasing patio size is also becoming a viable option to increase the physical space of the restaurant, with many regional municipalities relaxing the rules to ensure restaurants are able to increase the number of customers they can accommodate with strict new physical distancing measures. Be sure to check your local resources to see if a patio space increase might be an option for your business.
The recently announced CaféTO program aims to provide more outdoor dining areas to help restaurants and bars create physical distancing for patrons on patios during the summer months in the city of Toronto. Many similar initiatives are being implemented in regions throughout the country.
There are a few things to consider before opening for the season, so let's dive into some things to consider before customers arrive.
Furniture Selection
The first and most important thing to consider is furniture. Many restaurant owners opt for cheaper alternatives to commercial quality products. However, home furniture simply does not hold up in a foodservice environment. Commercial chairs are designed for continuous use compared to residential furniture that is only being used a couple of times a day. Furthermore, when you place furniture in a public setting, you become liable for what happens to that item. This means if it breaks or someone is hurt while using it your establishment could be at risk.
Our partners at BUM Contract Furniture supply products from a variety of manufacturers that have been designed based on commercial grade standards. The resin and plastic materials used are made for a commercial and outdoor setting. They are designed to hold weights of 300 lbs or more and can endure repetitive use and harsh outdoor elements.
Weather Considerations
As many of us know, living in Canada means being prepared for any kind of weather, at any given time. The summer months are no different. There is going to be wind and rain storms, hot days and of course, those dreaded cold nights. When setting up your patio be sure to consider these factors. Invest in good patio umbrellas to keep your guests dry and to protect them from the wind and sun. Think about how you would like to dine outside and be sure to consider good weather.
It’s not a bad idea to think about patio heaters, especially as we move into the latter half of the summer where the nights get shorter and cooler. These items will pay off in the long-term and prevent the weather from keeping your guests outside. Furthermore, having patio heaters you can extend the length of your patio which will ultimately drive sales.
Crown Verity® Portable Patio Heaters
Bring stylish form and function to any setting - Crown Verity’s outdoor heaters are designed to extend the use of your patio deck or dining area. Completely self contained and portable, these units provide a clean circle of warmth. Features include: Weather resistant construction, adjustable heat output, easy to move wheel kit, anti-tilt wheelbase with safety cut off switch. Circle of heat from 12 to 20 feet depending on wind chill, prevailing winds, location of heater etc. Burn time of 10+ hours on high, 12-15 hours on low and medium settings.
Contact your RH Sales Representative or our National Customer Service Team for more info and to order.
Avoid Unwanted Guests
It goes without saying, but dining outside can invite unwanted pests and rodents. Nothing is worse than being bombarded by flies or wasps during an outdoor meal. However, don’t let the animal kingdom dictate your establishment's sanitation level. There are plenty of food safe repellents and options to keep critters and bugs at bay. Think about your guests and invest in ways to keep them comfortable.
If summer had one defining scent, it'd definitely be the smell of barbecue.
- Katie Lee
Drive Sales
The next step is to think about a patio driven menu. Are you able to grill outside? Can you incorporate a bar into your setup? Adding these features will help you differentiate yourself from the competition and keep your guests coming back for more. It’s important to stay true to your restaurant and keep seasonal menus small to reduce prep time and inventory space.
Crown Verity® Mobile Grills
Bring commercial kitchen performance outdoors. Designed to fit your patio, restaurant, clubhouse and everywhere in between. Independent 15,000BTU stainless steel burners allow the grill to reach full cooking temperature in less than six minutes. Large, heavy duty wheels and lockable casters make moving the grill effortless. Shipped fully assembled. Available in natural gas (NG) or propane (LP), and in 30", 26" and 48" widths. A full line of optional accessories can be added at any time to build the grill of your dreams.
Contact your RH Sales Representative or our National Customer Service Team for more info and to order.
Reach out!
Weather you've been planning a patio expansion for a while, or you've heard that your regional government is offering this as an option to increase the capacity of your establishment, we're here to help you through the process. Our team of knowledgeable sales people across the country are here to help. Feel free to reach out to your local RH Sales Representative, contact the RH Customer Service team or simply fill out the form below.