As we move closer to the post-pandemic era, restaurants need to consider how they will prepare their outdoor patio areas for use. Customers still need time to develop trust and confidence in restaurant dining. Taking steps to help customers feel safe is important.
Outdoor patio dining already offers many advantages in this regard, but there are other measures you can take to further prepare your establishment for the post-pandemic era.
Create a Suitable Layout for Your Patio Space
The first step is to create a suitable layout for your patio that allows your staff and customers to social distance.
If this is your first time opening an outdoor patio, you may need to purchase restaurant patio furniture. Make sure that you keep your space in mind when buying outdoor patio restaurant furniture. There needs to be enough room between tables to maintain social distance policies.
Whether you're purchasing furniture for the first time or redesigning your outdoor space, make sure that you consider your layout and capacity limits. Tables should be set up accordingly and have at least six feet in between them.
To ensure that everyone maintains proper distance, create dedicated entrances and exits to your patio area. Placing directional arrows on the floor to direct foot traffic can help prevent confusion and ensure that customers know where to go.
Although waiting areas are convenient, you may want to avoid them for the time being. Many restaurants are using digital waitlists, so customers can wait safely in their vehicles for their turn to be seated.
Install Outdoor Dining Pods
Customers want to feel safe when they dine at your restaurant. Eating outdoors is a step in the right direction. Installing outdoor dining pods will further give your customers peace of mind when dining at your establishment.
Outdoor dining pods provide customers with their own enclosed space to dine. When combined with a restaurant patio heater, pods can be used outdoors all year round, and customers can feel safe.
Pods offer a few advantages. For starters, they keep customers separated and help better maintain social distancing guidelines. They also provide privacy, which is something that a typical dining experience pre-pandemic rarely offered.
Be sure to check your local laws and regulations to ensure that you can install dining pods at your outdoor patio.
We offer a variety of outdoor dining pods to enhance your restaurant patio and help you prepare for the post-pandemic era. A wide range of sizes and styles are available to meet your space and budget needs.
Consider Other Enclosures for Restaurant Patios
If outdoor dining pods aren't in the budget or you cannot install them due to local regulations, you may consider other enclosures for your patio.
Tents are another popular choice for patios, but again, make sure that you check local rules. Some cities require permits or special permission to install tents.
Pergolas are another option for outdoor dining. They provide shelter from the weather and a semi-private space to dine.
If your restaurant has the right type of space, garage doors are a great addition. They provide an enclosed dining space while still allowing fresh air to circulate the area.
Enclosures can help customers feel more comfortable while dining outdoors. Some enclosures may also provide the privacy and separation that customers desire.
Create Protocols and Inform Customers of Your Policies
To gain the trust of your customers and to make them feel confident dining at your establishment, consider creating new protocols and informing your customers of these new policies.
One place to start is to remove shareable items from your restaurant. Consider giving customers a paper patio restaurant menu that can be disposed of when they leave. Other ways to remove sharable items include:
- Using single-serve condiment packets instead of shared bottles.
- Pouring condiments into disposable cups.
- Closing down self-serve food bars, and allowing customers to build their own salads or meals that staff will serve.
Removing communal items from your restaurant will give customers peace of mind while also reducing the time staff spends disinfecting and cleaning items.
Some restaurants are also implementing a reservation-only system to ensure they meet capacity requirements. A reservation-only policy will also help you better prepare for service and improve overall safety.
Finally, make sure that you have a strict and consistent cleaning schedule. Make sure that high-traffic areas are cleaned regularly. All tables and seats should be wiped down after each customer.
Inform customers of your new policies on your menu, website and physical signs at your patio.
Don't forget to incorporate training into the mix. Your staff should be up to speed on your policies and be properly trained on how to follow them.
Promote Your Patio Dining
When you're finally ready to open or re-open your restaurant patio, make sure that your customers know about it. Promote your outdoor dining through your email list, social media accounts, and on your website.
Make sure that your customers understand your policies, procedures, and the safety precautions you're taking. It's helpful to provide pictures and explain how things work, such as where to wait for a table or where to enter, so that customers aren't confused when they arrive.
Customers should also understand your mask policies and what else is expected of them when they dine at your restaurant.
Make it a Fun Space to Dine and Relax
Give your outdoor space a theme, or have rotating themes to make your patio a fun place to dine and relax with friends.
Having a special patio menu can help give customers another reason to dine at your restaurant. Making it dog-friendly will also encourage customers to stop by for a drink or a quick bite to eat while they are out and about.
The Takeaway
Even in the post-pandemic era, customers will still want to take precautions to protect themselves and their health. These restaurant patio ideas will help your guests feel more confident dining at your establishment. Make sure that they fully understand your policies and procedures for masks, maintaining social distancing rules and cleaning protocols.