The weather continues to get warmer, and that’s great news for restaurant franchises who are ready to serve a plethora of outdoors-focused patrons! To that end, outdoor dining is a top priority for many restaurant franchises, and for good reason. A well-designed patio experience can be a huge boon for a restaurant by attracting passersby who notice all that wonderful activity.
At the same time, it’s an opportunity to attract would-be patrons into trying a unique dining experience that stands apart from the competition. If you are a current or prospective franchisee, you’ll want to make the most out of a patio dining experience to generate a buzz with your diners, and keep them coming back for more.
THE BENEFITS OF PATIO DINING
Diners love to eat outside during the summer months, in order to maximize their summer exposure. Plus, it’s simply a lot of fun! It’s no wonder that restaurant franchises tend to prioritize outdoor dining in order to attract customers. Here’s a few of the major benefits of having such a system in place:
1) INCREASED REVENUE
Outdoor seating can increase revenue by up to 20% during peak season, which is a hard number to ignore! As a franchisee, you’ll undoubtedly want to hit this target as close as possible, but there are other benefits as well, including word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business.
2) EXTENDED HOURS
Depending on the franchise in question, patios can be used for extended hours, including brunch and late-night dining. Take advantage of these serving windows in order to attract customers who may otherwise skip over your restaurant to dine at another location.
3) UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
A well-designed patio can offer a unique dining experience that sets your restaurant apart from the competition, particularly if you’re in a high traffic area. Canadians love to be outdoors, and coupling that with an energetic space can help them feel excited and invigorated. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage patrons to take pictures and video, which will undoubtedly be posted online, further boosting your franchise location’s profile.
4) INCREASED CAPACITY
Patios can be used to accommodate larger groups and events, increasing overall capacity beyond indoor restrictions. Think of it as a seating add-on that can be used to squeeze a few more hungry diners onto the premises, without violating building code restrictions. Who doesn’t love that idea?
TIPS FOR FRANCHISEES
1) FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
Always make sure that your patio is designed with functionality in mind, which includes ample seating, comfortable furniture, and sufficient lighting. Also, it doesn’t hurt to include an outdoor sound system to pipe some music in, and create a mood. Always think of the overall experience, and how to make it a good one.
2) FURNITURE SELECTION
It’s important to select furniture that is durable, comfortable, and, most importantly, easy to clean. Consider using outdoor-specific furniture with built-in drainage systems, and resistance to the elements. Summer means that blazing sun is high in the sky for a longer period of time, and the last thing you want is to select furniture that will prematurely bleach due to UV exposure.
3) GOOD LIGHTING
Installing proper lighting can make or break the patio dining experience, particularly during the evening hours. To avoid trouble, use a combination of overhead lighting, table lamps, and string lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
4) MENU OPTIONS
It’s always a great idea to offer a menu specifically designed for patio dining, and that includes a heavy focus on drinks. This can change the earnings game in a big way, especially on hotter days. This, combined with the tips mentioned above, will work hand-in-glove to keep patrons happy.
5) MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
Don’t forget to promote your patio dining experience through social media, email marketing, and local advertising, in order to spread awareness. Many would-be diners often do research before heading out, so make sure you’re prioritizing the patio experience to sway them to your location.
6) STAFFING & TRAINING
Make absolutely sure that your staff members are trained to handle outdoor dining. Sure, this might include the routine aspects of taking orders, serving food and drinks, and handling payments, but it also means maintaining a high standard of service to diners who are otherwise out of sight. The last thing customers want is to be forgotten, which can ruin not only the dining experience, but their opinion of your restaurant, as well.
CONCLUSION
A well-designed patio experience is hard to beat, particularly during those warmer months. Canadians summers are tragically short, which is why it’s important to capitalize on every single day, until colder weather rolls in. Following the above tips will help you optimize the outdoor patio dining experience, and put your franchise location on the map in a very big way.
St. Louis Bar & Grill has made outdoor dining a staple of our restaurant franchise model, and we encourage franchisees to reap all the benefits! If you’re sitting there fantasizing about happy customers packing your location both indoor and out, we want to hear from you! Contact us today, and join our franchising family, so you can share in our growth and success.