Due to the large number of different types of restaurant furniture options available on the market today, it can be difficult for a business owner to know what to look for in each one of them. In this case, how does a restaurateur go about selecting the right pieces for their establishment? The following are some of the things I’ve learned over the course of my time working in the industry over the last few years. The following six questions should be asked yourself when comparing different options.
Is it consistent with the overall look and feel of the company?
Think about the brand messages you want to communicate to your diners through your establishment when you are choosing furniture for your establishment. Your company’s image is sleek and modern or rustic and welcoming, depending on your industry. Your restaurant’s interior design, including its furniture, should all communicate the same message about your company. It is anticipated that your guests’ experience will be improved as a result of this comprehensive approach.
How long do you expect your guests to stay?
The length of time that you would like your ideal diners to remain in your space should be taken into consideration before making a decision. Customers who frequent fast casual and quick service restaurants will benefit from the high turnover of patrons. Then you would look for an ergonomically designed chair that is comfortable for 45 minutes but does not encourage guests to spend the rest of the day sitting at your tables. In this situation, restaurant chairs made of heavier wood or metal would be an excellent choice. A good reason to choose upholstered pieces for your fine dining establishment is that they will encourage your guests to order an additional glass of wine or additional desserts.
What types of finishes are available?
Manufacturers are now able to offer a wide variety of finish options for their furniture lines, which is a welcome development. A wide range of options are available when it comes to restaurant furniture, ranging from a variety of powder coat colors to a variety of wood stain colors and finishes. While many businesses include this as part of their standard offering, others charge an additional fee for this service, so it’s important to understand the specifics before signing on the dotted line to confirm your purchase. When it comes to dining options, this also means that there is a much greater variety of options available. A bright frame with a light wood seat may be preferred by one restaurateur while a black gloss frame with a dark wood seat may be preferred by another, and yet another may use both colors. The fact that they are ordering the same chair does not change the fact that each one creates a completely different atmosphere in the room.
Are you more concerned with the initial cost or the lifetime cost?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing the old adage “you get what you pay for” when it comes to finding your pieces. The likelihood of a price being “too good to be true” increases when important factors such as quality are taken into consideration. When you get to this point, you have to decide whether you want to focus on the initial cost and replace the items more frequently, or whether you want to focus on the lifestyle cost and spend more up front in order to limit replacement over the long term. It is possible to save money on repairs and maintenance over the course of the furniture’s lifespan if you approach your furniture budget as an investment.
How long is the furniture expected to last?
The terms “durability” and “cost” are frequently used in conjunction with one another. When choosing furniture, keep in mind the number of guests you anticipate serving, the frequency with which the space will be turned over, and the amount of wear and tear that the furniture will be subjected to during its lifetime. It is essential to inquire about how the joints and joinery are handled when purchasing a product because the construction plays such an important role in the product’s long-term durability.
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Additionally, before purchasing any items, double-check to see if they are approved for commercial use. It is necessary for a manufacturer to complete additional tests before they can be certified as having the ability to withstand the high volume of traffic found in restaurants. If this information is not readily available on a company’s website, you can always contact the company directly to inquire about the matter.
Before you purchase any type of furniture, even if it is commercially rated, make sure to obtain a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. Make sure you understand your rights in the event that a piece is damaged upon delivery or while in use in the store. Before making a purchase, be sure to inquire about the manufacturer’s warranty policy and understand your options before proceeding with the transaction.
Where is the manufacturer located?
A large number of furniture companies have their headquarters in the United States, but they source their products from other countries, with the vast majority of them coming from Chinese factories. While this typically results in a lower price point, it also results in a longer lead time for manufacturing to complete the product. When it comes to purchasing restaurant furniture, this isn’t something that the majority of people take into consideration at the time of purchase. In most cases, it takes 4-12 weeks for these international products to reach their destination in the United States.
There are also numerous external factors that are completely out of your control, which must be taken into consideration. When a typhoon hit the Philippines, they were forced to delay the shipment of a customer’s order, resulting in a delay that nobody could not have anticipated. If you need a product delivered quickly, you may want to consider working with manufacturers based in the United States of America (or other countries). Consider scheduling enough time and ordering your pieces ahead of time if you don’t have enough time on your hands right now.
