Now that the weather has warmed up, it’s time to drag out your patio furniture and start dining al fresco. But if you’re going to be doing this for the first time, or just want some tips on how to make outdoor dining work better for you, read on!
When it comes to the best times for outdoor dining, do what you can and don’t overstress.
When it comes to the best times for outdoor dining, it’s all about playing your cards right. While the weather is a factor that you can’t control, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your outdoor dining experience is as good as possible.
Do what you can and don’t overstress. The perfect date might not come around every year, but with some careful planning and flexibility on behalf of everyone involved, your guests are likely to appreciate being able to enjoy a meal outside regardless of whether they’re wearing shorts in May or coats in December.
The biggest key to successful outdoor dining is planning ahead.
The biggest key to successful outdoor dining is planning ahead. It’s true that the weather can change on you, but if you’ve done your homework and have a plan in place, most of your problems will be solved before they even occur.
For example, if it’s going to be hot outside, make sure that your patio furniture is made of durable materials like teak wood or wicker. If it’s cold out and it looks like there might be snow flurries coming soon, consider buying gas heaters that can keep guests warm while they’re hanging out by the fire pit or eating at their picnic tables. And don’t forget about lighting: candles are always an excellent choice for outdoor dining because they add ambiance without posing any safety concerns—but if there’s no wind where you live (or if the wind isn’t usually an issue), consider using solar lights instead! They’ll do wonders to ensure everyone can find his way around after dark without tripping over pots full of soil amendments or stepping on tiny seeds that haven’t been planted yet (and trust me: these things happen).
Planning ahead will make all the difference in terms of cost too—not only when it comes time for purchasing supplies like flowerpots but also when calculating labor hours needed (which should take into account factors such as whether someone will need extra help preparing food).
Host events outside, big or small.
- Host events for the public or private events outside that guests inquire but are sure to include a rain date.
- Consider holding an event to celebrate National IPA Day, such as a ticketed dinner and chef-crafted menu or a deal on IPAs with meal purchase.
- Put a twist on one of your usual dishes, or try a temporary menu item (for example, turn your regular basket of fries into loaded potato wedges with delicious toppings to celebrate National Potato Day). Special-occasion menu items can often be charged more by being exclusive and available for a limited period of time.
- Partner with local musicians to draw people to your restaurant in the outside area
Use QR code ordering or mobile POS options in your outdoor dining area.
https://squareup.com/us/en/townsquare/how-to-make-your-outdoor-dining-space-more-profitable
According to the Square Future of Restaurants report, technology is now an expected part of the dining experience, bringing convenience both to guests and to restaurant staff.
This makes it easier for diners to choose what they want and still enjoy the live music without having someone come up to them and cause a distraction.
With digital ordering, you can make menu changes easily and more cost-effectively, reducing paper and printing costs. Guests will easily be able to pull up the menu and order directly from their phone which will go straight to the kitchen reducing their wait time.
Design an inviting dining experience outside
Use attractive comfortable furniture and decorate your outside so people feel welcomed and
Set up lights around your outside patio to set the scene and make it enjoyable for your guests
Provide comfortable and easy-to-move furniture in case of bigger parties that want to be seated outside or in case you have to move furniture around to make room for an event.
