Increase Profits Through Your Restaurant Design
...and turn it into a favorite while taking advantage during COVID
Do you know how they say it takes people seven seconds to make a first impression? The same goes for restaurants. Customers don't only eat with their taste buds. Before they even take a bite of your delicious food, they experience your restaurant by what surrounds them. Lighting, materials, and space layout go an incredibly long way. What if I told you that by redoing your restaurant's interior design you could make more money in the long run?
First, some facts. Rewards Network, a restaurant data publication, surveyed restaurants throughout the country and found, "Based on 99,000 verified diner survey and actual dollar spend across our network of restaurants, Rewards Network data shows that overall experience is the #1 influencer for return visits, not food alone. Even if your food is ranked higher than overall experience in online reviews, the likelihood of a return visit is lower." So, even though you may have the most incredible food selection, if your restaurant's interiors aren't up to par, people are most likely not going to eat there again.
First, some facts. Rewards Network, a restaurant data publication, surveyed restaurants throughout the country and found, "Based on 99,000 verified diner survey and actual dollar spend across our network of restaurants, Rewards Network data shows that overall experience is the #1 influencer for return visits, not food alone. Even if your food is ranked higher than overall experience in online reviews, the likelihood of a return visit is lower." So, even though you may have the most incredible food selection, if your restaurant's interiors aren't up to par, people are most likely not going to eat there again.
Photo Courtesy Unsplash
Rewards Network's research also states, "When the food rating is one point higher than the rating for the overall experience, we have seen a 20 percent drop in the likelihood that diner will return to your restaurant." Yelp goes a long way in getting people in the door; however, if people don't feel comfortable, they will most likely not come back to eat at your locality again. The best way to bring in repeat customers is by making the experience enjoyable on every level. The easiest way to do that is in your restaurant's interior design.
The best time to remodel your restaurant is now, during this pandemic where construction or redesigns won't impact your clientele. A redesign has the potential to attract first-time customers and make them repeat customers. Much depends on your restaurant's location, the type of vibe you are going for, and how that vibe compliments the type of food you offer. If you have high-end fare and wine options, you want your space to say that. Let's talk about how you can take your restaurant to the next level through its interior design.
The best time to remodel your restaurant is now, during this pandemic where construction or redesigns won't impact your clientele. A redesign has the potential to attract first-time customers and make them repeat customers. Much depends on your restaurant's location, the type of vibe you are going for, and how that vibe compliments the type of food you offer. If you have high-end fare and wine options, you want your space to say that. Let's talk about how you can take your restaurant to the next level through its interior design.
Photo Courtesy Unspalsh
Think about the layout. Would it be better to have some booths to give more space? All tables and chairs with a bar area? Think about traffic flow and consider making changes that will help guide customers and staff who need to find their way around every day.
It's all about great lighting. Give your restaurant three layers of lighting; ambient, accent, and task lighting—for example, a large chandelier with smaller pendants throughout and table lamps. The type of lighting fixtures you choose should depend on your restaurant's identity. Renovations need to make sense. What your establishment's vibe is should determine what and how much the lighting fixtures will be.
Materials. Some remodels try to make grand architectural features but forget about the details. And really, it's all in the details. Textiles, stones, the selection of wood, etc., will show that the remodel has been mindful of the user's experience.
It's all about great lighting. Give your restaurant three layers of lighting; ambient, accent, and task lighting—for example, a large chandelier with smaller pendants throughout and table lamps. The type of lighting fixtures you choose should depend on your restaurant's identity. Renovations need to make sense. What your establishment's vibe is should determine what and how much the lighting fixtures will be.
Materials. Some remodels try to make grand architectural features but forget about the details. And really, it's all in the details. Textiles, stones, the selection of wood, etc., will show that the remodel has been mindful of the user's experience.
Photo Courtesy Unsplash
Choose a color palette that works for your restaurant. Generally speaking, steer clear from greens and grays that could resemble mold. Yellow and orange tend to make people hungry. The psychology between food and color has been studied for a long time. When people choose a place to eat, anything that could hint at low food quality will subconsciously warrant that they will not stay. Read up on the relationship between food and color in establishments before making your color palette selections.
Bathrooms. Please do not underestimate the power of a bathroom because it is hidden from immediate public view. People who see a rundown washroom will subconsciously judge the kitchen's cleanliness, and people who think you have a dirty kitchen will not come back. Make your bathroom look nice with tile, wallpaper, and new fixtures. This will go a long way.
Bathrooms. Please do not underestimate the power of a bathroom because it is hidden from immediate public view. People who see a rundown washroom will subconsciously judge the kitchen's cleanliness, and people who think you have a dirty kitchen will not come back. Make your bathroom look nice with tile, wallpaper, and new fixtures. This will go a long way.
A well-designed bar will have a big impact on your restaurant's income. The profitability of a bar ultimately decides on the success of your restaurant financially. Create a display of your best bottles on a sleek and elegant shelving system. It's the only wall your customer is looking at while seated at the bar unless you have the space for a circular bar. Whichever the vibe of your restaurant, incorporate it into your bar.
Not all of these changes need to be done at once; however, now that restaurants are not allowed to seat indoors, nor operate at full capacity in many counties, it is a great opportunity to remodel your restaurant all at once. You don't need to close your restaurant while minor changes are done. However, as soon as you start making architectural changes, it is best to close your restaurant for the time needed. Safety, customer experience, city planning, etc., will demand you to shut down while the work is being completed. It can get complicated, which is why you should consider hiring a designer to help you through the process.
People's opinions of the food, quality, and service depend on the look of your restaurant. Having an excellent interior design will have a major impact on your restaurant and ensure repeat customers. A happy and loyal customer is a return on investment.
Not all of these changes need to be done at once; however, now that restaurants are not allowed to seat indoors, nor operate at full capacity in many counties, it is a great opportunity to remodel your restaurant all at once. You don't need to close your restaurant while minor changes are done. However, as soon as you start making architectural changes, it is best to close your restaurant for the time needed. Safety, customer experience, city planning, etc., will demand you to shut down while the work is being completed. It can get complicated, which is why you should consider hiring a designer to help you through the process.
People's opinions of the food, quality, and service depend on the look of your restaurant. Having an excellent interior design will have a major impact on your restaurant and ensure repeat customers. A happy and loyal customer is a return on investment.