Trends In Outdoor Restaurant Seating


By 


One of the latest trends in restaurants is outdoor seating. It not only adds space to serve more customers, it also appeals to passersby to stop in when they see other people are enjoying themselves. Establishments in fair weather climates benefit from expanded outdoor seating. It creates a more pleasant atmosphere for guests and for wait staff, as well.
Placement
Adding outdoor restaurant seating requires a careful layout so that there is plenty of room in between the tables for people to be seated and for wait staff to move around. Overhead protection, such as an awning, a porch overhang or an arbor, makes the outdoor space more versatile. Protection from the elements affects the venue's ability for outdoor seating during inclement weather. Guests may have to make a mad dash for cover in the event of an unexpected rainstorm. A canopy over the area will prevent tables from getting wet while people are eating.
Outdoor Furniture
Use outdoor restaurant tables and chairs for long-term durability. Outdoor contract furniture is specially designed to resist rust and wear when they get wet or are exposed to hot and cold temperature. An added benefit to tables and chairs designed for the outdoors is that it also handles food and drink spills better than typical furnishings. The furniture should keep with the theme of the indoor decor, although it can be slightly less formal to create a more relaxing atmosphere. For restaurants that plan to keep tables and chairs outdoors at all times, darker material colors will wear better and make dirt less noticeable. Some materials are water-resistant and fade-resistant to help the products last longer.
Comfort
When designing exterior seating areas, consider the comfort of the guests. Determine whether the chairs should have armrests or not. Cushions and chair backs are another factor. Having bar seating versus table seating or in addition to tables can change the atmosphere of the dining area.
Materials
Contract furniture comes in a variety of materials to coordinate with the theme and style of the establishment. Owners might consider using high density polyethylene (HDPE) materials, which are made out of recycled plastics. They are lightweight and eco-friendly. This material comes in a variety of colors. Also popular is wrought iron. It is old-fashioned and durable. Resin is a high quality plastic material that offers durability and versatility. It is easy to move as needed, easy to match and easy to clean. Aluminum is another material option, providing a simple-to-clean surface, reliable durability and a relaxed style.
Size
Choosing the right size tables depends on the type of clientele expected. Round tables can typically seat two to four. Small rectangular tables for two and larger rectangles seating four to six are common among restaurateurs. If large parties frequent the venue, restaurant tables should have flat sides so that they can be pushed together to create seating for larger groups of more than six.
Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about restaurant tables, please visit http://www.kettlercontract.com/.

How Restaurants Can Create Video Advertisments


By 


Advertising is needed to have a successful restaurant. Owners are always searching for new and upcoming strategies that will advertise their restaurant effectively. Print and in-house advertising is great and effective. However with the increase in internet usage, restaurants need to advertise online in order to reach out to more customers. Along with the text and photo advertisement, videos are surfacing as the newest online marketing craze.
According to a comScore, the average internet user watches around 186 online videos a month ranging from news clips to entertainment. Videos bring together both video and audio to get consumers interested in a way that other methods cannot. Video advertising has the ability to put a face, voice, name, and personality to your restaurant which in turns gives it more of an appeal for customers.
Making videos advertisement for your restaurant is not as intimidating as it sounds. Affordable cameras and easy-to-use video editing software allows videos to be used by restaurants of all sizes.
There are several ideas or aspects of your restaurant that you can include in your videos:
1. Showoff Your Employees: Introducing employees is a great idea for small businesses. Employees could say who they are, what their job is at the restaurant, and what they like most about working there. This forms a connection between your restaurant and your diners and shows them who your employees really are.
2. Customer Testimonials: Ask your loyal customers to be in a customer testimonial video. These testimonials create an at-home feel for viewers by using real people and their experiences.
3. Make a Demonstration: Videos are great because they let you show all kinds of things to your customers. If you own a Pizzeria, for example, you could make a video showing how your pizzas are made-something you cannot do with just text.
4. Give a Tour: Film a video tour of your restaurant. Provide shots of the front and also of the back where diners do not usually get to see. This will make your customers more comfortable because they will know where their food is coming from.
Be sure to keep things simple. Just stick to one topic or idea per video. Make sure the person in front of the camera in your video is relaxed and comfortable behind the camera. Your video should be informal and casual. Try not to read off notes for the duration of the video. Take the time and practice what will be said so it sounds natural. Anything longer than four or five minutes will most likely lose the audience's attention, so keep your video brief and to the point.
Allow people to comment on your video so you can get feedback from your customers. Don't forget to include a call-to-action at the end. For instance: "For more information, visit our website at [insert your website]." Always remember to issue new videos regularly-every 3-6 months-with new information.
Sadie Tyrpin
MenuDrive
http://www.menudrive.com