Design Tips for Your Restaurant

The verdict is in: when it comes to bringing in the foodie crowds, looks do matter. After all, how inviting is an unkempt, disorganized place that has no clear signage or branding? A restaurant that is going to bring in big business looks attractive, orderly, and professional.

Moreover, it is designed to create the ultimate customer experience. While the restaurant's exterior looks clean and has visible signage, its interior has clear branding on commonly-used promotional items such as pens, drinkware, and towels. The customer feels at ease in an establishment that that is well-organized and prepared.

Here is the breakdown of the best design tips to bring in the crowds.

Neon Signs

Capture attention in the real world by illuminating your brand by night. Hungry passersby who are looking for a restaurant where they can still grab a meal or a snack often look for neon "open" signs as well as restaurant name signage that is easy to see in the dark. Investing in this extra step will inform customers that you are open for business. This is especially useful for people who are visiting you for the first time or coming from out of town.

Your company's brand should also be visible inside your restaurant. Consider screen printing your brand on daily items like logo pens that servers offer clients to sign their checks, and even the coffee mugs from which your clients will enjoy hot beverages.

Keep Everything Tidy

When it comes to a professional image, cleanliness is crucial. Keep your staff on top of picking up any litter and maintaining the general upkeep of your restaurant. Invest in landscaping and routine lawn care for the best quality work. Overgrown grass, dirty windows, or any other hint of untidiness can turn customers away. This image also applies to your staff. Apply a dress code and cleanliness standard that they must follow. You can make this easier when you provide custom company work apparel that they can wear for every shift. Having a clean restaurant with a professionally dressed staff is highly desirable to customers who want a great dining experience.

Accommodate Different Types of Parties

Customers also like to see if their party size can easily be accommodated at your restaurant. Be prepared to serve groups of all sizes, ages, and walks of life. Order what you need among high top tables, bar seating, big tables, party rooms, small date night tables, six-seaters for families, and more. However, focus on your typical clientele. For example, if you're a big-time breakfast venue, you want to cater to multi-generational families and large groups. If you are a gastropub and late-night hangout, offer a variety of seating that serves mainly adults. Don't clutter key areas with too many large tables, but offer a combination of small tables that can be put together if your customers desire.

Interior Design

After you meet the practical needs such as seating requirements and room flow, create an interior design theme that matches your brand's image. Are you a casual dining steakhouse or a fancy fine-dining restaurant? The mood you want to promote is important as you select colors of paint, flooring, tablecloth, silverware, window dressings, and other elements of interior decor. Adding extra elements like custom logo notepads for your servers can deepen the level of professionalism as well. If you need help creating a masterful plan, recruit the help of interior designers who can ideate a winning concept. They can also help you shop for key elements such as sofas for your waiting area and the best centerpieces for your tables.

Go Beyond Aesthetics With Sound and Temperature

Design is multi-dimensional, so consider how other elements such as temperature and sound can also affect the atmosphere. If you live in an area that has typically cold winters, you may want to invest in a gas fireplace or wall unit that displays images of fireplace flames during the winter. Subscribe to a commercial-free radio service that keeps a fresh rotation of music that your customers would like to hear. Depending on your service, they may want something upbeat and modern or something classical and mellow. It is also possible to bring in crowds through sound. On a fair-weathered day, leave your doors open as a live music band plays. You never know what new and longtime customers you will attract!