Restaurant Furniture Blog

If you are a restaurant owner and you really want to cater to a variety of patrons, you should ensure your restaurant furniture layout is not set in concrete. I have come across restaurants where their policy for layout has been set in concrete and it can make for some uncomfortable moments.

Most restaurants have a layout that caters for two or four diners. Some push tables together to cater for six or eight diners. That makes a lot of sense since families, friends and business groups come in a variety of numbers. If you insist on table bookings then you can plan ahead and ensure you have sufficient seating.

The problem arises if you accept walk-ins that haven’t booked, particularly if you’re having a quiet night. Are you prepared to quickly push a table or two together to cater for a larger party? You would be surprised that many restaurants won’t compromise their restaurant furniture layout to accommodate last minute groups.

This can make for some embarrassing moments when you seat the group, offering two or more separate tables. Some groups don’t mind, others will ask for a larger table or to push tables together. I have seen other groups take matters into their own hands and push tables together. What would you do under these circumstances? Would you push the tables together, allow them to push tables together, or insist on separate tables or the door?

Being flexible is the key to good business. The last thing you want is to disturb other diners by pushing furniture around. However, if you are having a quiet night then I am sure you could find an empty area where you could quickly rearrange your tables. If your restaurant furniture layout is flexible, you will find you can cater for a much wider group of patrons - that has got to be good for business.