Restaurant Furniture Blog

As a follow up to a previous post on new trends in restaurants and micro events, I thought it pertinent to mention some of the other trends in restaurants. The one I want to focus on today is a trend that has evolved over time but which has been heavily influenced by the economy.

People are not dining out as frequently as they used too. In fact, most people are now preferring to entertain at home. The last couple of months has seen a small trend back to restaurants. However, rather than just couples or small families dining out, people are tending to wait for events like birthdays and dining out in parties of six, eight or even ten.

Groups of this size are also wanting to be seated together at the one table. For many restaurants, this is not a problem. Pushing several tables together easily accommodates those larger numbers, if you have tables that are appropriate that is. Other restaurants have fold-up banquet tables tucked away for just this purpose.

As a restaurant owner you need to be prepared for these groups. Having a plan in place so that you know where you are going to place the group, which restaurant furniture will be used and when it will be arranged is a must. You also need to develop a policy that clearly states how much notice you require, table seating limits, and for your own benefits, how many groups you are prepared to book at the same time. There is little point booking three groups if you don’t have the space or tables to accommodate them.

Restaurant trends are changing all the time. Sometimes the trends in restaurant furniture don’t relate to color or design, they relate more to customer dining habits. Are you flexible enough to accommodate changes in dining habits?