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Restaurant Design 101

Apr 12
Posted by Daniel in bar tips and advice, Restaurant, restaurant tips and advice

Did you know that 60% of restaurants fail within their first three years of opening? This number is much smaller than the common 1-in-10 myth, but new restaurants still have only a 40% chance of making it in today’s market. The percentage can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to discourage you. Opening a restaurant, like any other business venture, is all about using your skills and your intelligence to give the best product and service that you possibly can. If you use all the advantages you have in your arsenal, you will increase the odds of your restaurant not becoming just another statistic.

When diners come to a restaurant they want to feel as if they are not only being fed, but entertained as well. They want a dining experience that will entertain and stay fresh and memorable in their mind for a long time to come. Smart and knowledgeable restaurant owners know that restaurant design plays a big part in entertaining their customers.

Besides the quality of food and service, restaurant design can be a major factor in the success or failure of your restaurant. A well planned restaurant layout and design begin with market research, understanding trends, and ends in a well executed design based on those factors. Diners want to have an experience like no other and as the restaurant owner; it is your job to provide that experience.

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Tips for Kids Friendly Restaurants

Mar 27
Posted by Daniel in Booths, restaurant tips and advice

kids friendly restaurantThe following post is written by a guest blogger from a parent’s perspective. We though it a good idea for restaurant owners to read it too, especially for those who want to create a family friendly atmosphere.

The tips in this post can be used by everyone, so instead of having the parents carry items with them to any restaurant they happen to find, you can make it easier for them by having things ready for at yours. This will also mean that your restaurant will be first on their list when choosing where to go for dinner with the kids.

 

A little Whine with your Dine?

After a long week of carpooling, chauffeuring the kids around to all their activities, cooking, cleaning, and oh yeah and working, then like me you can’t wait to go out to eat on Saturday night. Oh… but wait, the dreaded complaints from your children and their disturbing behavior is enough to want to just order in.

If you’re like me though, you just want to have one night free of cleaning up afterwards, and a night to just dress up and get out of the house. With two kids, babysitting is just too expensive, and I don’t know a whole lot of people who are willing to take on our children = 2 fighting siblings.

However, I must say eating out has finally become a little less of a chore. My children are only 22 months apart. Ya, try taking two toddlers out to eat, with one that can’t stay still if his life depended on it, and another who screams bloody murder if “Queen Elizabeth” doesn’t get her way.  And yes her name really is Elizabeth and the shoe fits all too well. Funny enough, my son’s name is Andrew. But he in no way acts like a Prince.

So what do you do when you want to eat out with uncontrollable children? It’s all about distractions baby! Being prepared for all types of behavior doesn’t hurt too. I usually brought in a suitcase filled with activities. Okay, okay a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point.

  • First things first… do yourself a favor and utilize the restaurants’ furniture. Say what? That’s right, Choose the Appropriate Seating. Sitting in the biggest restaurant booth is the best and most important advice I can give you. Have your kids sit closest to the booths wall, one on each side, and have a parent on each side trapping them in. Oh yes that’s right sister, I said Traaappp those suckers in. This will keep your marathon runners imprisoned as much as possible and your fidgety kiddo’s a little less squirmy. Sitting at regular tables say to your children PARTY TIME!

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10 Super Tips for Restaurant Success

Mar 22
Posted by Daniel in Restaurant, restaurant tips and advice

Restaurant ManagementA restaurant can be so many things. It could be a meeting place, a place to unwind, or very simply a place to go to when no one feels like cooking! However, great food is just one of the many factors that contribute towards a successful restaurant. What could possibly be more important than attracting new customers and keeping that attraction alive and exciting? Customers are the biggest assets of a successful restaurant.

 

Here are 10 super tips that contribute to restaurant success:

 

1. CLEANLINESS – Cleanliness helps make that important first impression. However good the food may be, clean premises indicate that the food is prepared under hygienic and safe conditions. On a side note, it will also prevent pests like roaches and rats. Pay special attention to the state of the washrooms. Unkempt washrooms can be a huge put-off. Keep the place spotless!

 

2. AMBIANCE – Several factors go into deciding ambiance. The design of the restaurant furniture, the coloring of the walls, and the quality of the music – everything combines to create the right ambiance. A restaurant aiming at young crowds will have the latest numbers playing louder than usual.

Another one that caters to the wealthy or the romantic might opt for a muted, cozy ambiance. The overall effect must be warm and inviting. Avoid crowding up tables. Nothing is worse than being miserably crowded without elbow room to move the spoon and fork!

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What Makes a Restaurant Successful?

Mar 06
Posted by Daniel in bar tips and advice, restaurant tips and advice

Menu for Success

According to an article in Business Week, one out of four new restaurants is destined to fail within the first year. Over a three-year period, that number rises to three out of five restaurants. While this average failure rate is normal for new businesses across the board, it

is little consolation to those restaurant owners who become a statistic.

 

Priority is a key ingredient in the success of a restaurant. H.G. Parsa, an associate professor in hospitality management at Ohio State University, has determined through research and interviews that the difference between successful and failed restaurants hinges largely on the owner’s commitment to be passionate and knowledgeable about the restaurant and the owner’s willingness to invest large amounts of time and attention to the establishment.  This often means that the restaurant must become the number one priority in the owner’s life.

 


The restaurant industry is so time consuming because there are multiple changing elements that must be continuously tweaked.  Some decisions – like the location of the restaurant – are one-time choices.  However, other decisions, such as menu items, prices, themes, suppliers, décor, and marketing should constantly be critiqued for improvement.

 

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There are Plenty of Choices for Restaurant Furniture

Mar 01
Posted by Daniel in Restaurant Furniture, restaurant seating, restaurant tips and advice

Restaurant furniture optionsIf you’re a restaurant owner, finding high quality restaurant furniture at prices you can afford may seem daunting at times. When a restaurant owner buys furniture, he or she doesn’t simply buy one chair or table, so finding items you can buy in bulk is essential. You need consistency in color and design to give your restaurant a clean look.

 

Whether you’re looking for tables, booths, or bar stools, there’s a company out there that provides exactly the restaurant furniture you need. Thanks to the Internet, the furniture that fits the theme of your restaurant is available at prices you can afford. The key is knowing where to look to find the best deals.

 

Restaurant seating comes in the form of booths, bar stools, and chairs, with the colors and comfort that will keep your customers coming back. Many restaurant furniture providers allow you to find the style you want, and then pick the color that coordinates with your decor. You’ll then order the number you need and it will be delivered directly to your store.

 

The next decision is upholstery type. While fabric can have a more upscale look and be more comfortable, it can be especially susceptible to stains, which can obviously be a regular problem for restaurant furniture. Unless you plan to pay for regular upholstery cleaning, stick with easy-to-clean materials such as vinyl.

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How to Select the Best Restaurant Furniture for a Dining Establishment

Feb 09
Posted by Daniel in bar tips and advice, Restaurant, Restaurant Furniture, restaurant tips and advice

restaurant furnitureWhen determining how to select the best restaurant furniture the size of the room, the expected number of guests, and even how long you want diners to linger after finishing a meal will all have an impact on what style is chosen. Additionally, the style of the restaurant as well as entree prices, and whether the area is open or secluded from a lounge are factors which need to be considered. Many restaurants use a variety of table shapes and may mix chairs and booths to maximize seating.

Restaurant furniture is available in many styles and pedestal tables are one of the most commonly used. Long banquet tables are a popular option for adding extra seating for large groups as well as being popular for weddings and other festive occasions. Many restaurants will use a combination of these as well as adding some small tables for two or tall tables for more casual eating areas. Banquet tables are often used in conjunction with stackable chairs which minimize storage space and can be easily moved to other areas for additional seating when necessary.

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