How to Prepare for Patio Season
By: Sysco of Michigan
Now more than ever, customers are excited to dine al fresco in the warm weather and sun, after spending the past year indoors social distancing. To prepare your restaurant patio for the anticipated high demand in outdoor dining, it's essential to determine your staff, operational, and equipment needs to ensure success. Other important factors such as local guidelines and set up configuration must be considered to ensure that business operations are efficient and in full compliance with the local laws and regulations. Here are simple tips to help you improve the outdoor dining experience for management, staff, and guests.
Strategize Your Space
If you own your restaurant property, expand your outdoor seating to include any under-utilized spaces such as a side lot, courtyard, rooftop, or parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant. Sidewalk seating is another option; however, you'll have to do your homework before considering this opportunity for outdoor seating. Think about street and foot traffic before opting for a sidewalk expansion. A vehicle with heavy exhaust or pedestrians frequently passing by can significantly impact a fine dining experience. In most cases, sidewalk seating will require a permit, so be sure to review local laws and regulations before pursuing this option.
Staff Training for Patio Season
Adding additional seating to your patio creates the need for more staff. To meet the increase in volume, give current team members the option to add extra shifts to their schedule. Hiring additional staff per shift to accommodate patio seating can also be helpful.
Once you have your staff in place, determine how you will organize your team to enhance the patio's operational flow. A takeout window is a great way to expedite orders quickly and conveniently for servers. When the staff receives a tray of food through a window, there is less traffic coming through the entrance door. A takeout window prevents bottlenecking and the potential for collisions amongst staff members carrying out orders.
Another way to support your staff while increasing sales is to determine what menu ordering options will best suit customers. To maximize profitability, strategically plan limited-time offers to drive business. Be sure to prioritize menu items that are appropriate for the season and do well in an outdoor setting.
Strategize Your Space
If you own your restaurant property, expand your outdoor seating to include any under-utilized spaces such as a side lot, courtyard, rooftop, or parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant. Sidewalk seating is another option; however, you'll have to do your homework before considering this opportunity for outdoor seating. Think about street and foot traffic before opting for a sidewalk expansion. A vehicle with heavy exhaust or pedestrians frequently passing by can significantly impact a fine dining experience. In most cases, sidewalk seating will require a permit, so be sure to review local laws and regulations before pursuing this option.
Staff Training for Patio Season
Adding additional seating to your patio creates the need for more staff. To meet the increase in volume, give current team members the option to add extra shifts to their schedule. Hiring additional staff per shift to accommodate patio seating can also be helpful.
Once you have your staff in place, determine how you will organize your team to enhance the patio's operational flow. A takeout window is a great way to expedite orders quickly and conveniently for servers. When the staff receives a tray of food through a window, there is less traffic coming through the entrance door. A takeout window prevents bottlenecking and the potential for collisions amongst staff members carrying out orders.
Another way to support your staff while increasing sales is to determine what menu ordering options will best suit customers. To maximize profitability, strategically plan limited-time offers to drive business. Be sure to prioritize menu items that are appropriate for the season and do well in an outdoor setting.
Streamline your Menu for Success
Customers will be looking to see what steps you have taken to ensure their safety, comfort, and enjoyment while dining on the patio. Reimagine your menu offerings and format to meet customers' high expectations while increasing sales. Safely serve customers by implementing a single sheet disposable paper menu, menu board, or digital display to eliminate cross-contamination or the need to clean reusable menus. Take your menu online with a QR Code for fast, hassle-free, touchless menu viewing. QR codes allow customers to review your menu on their smartphone or tablet. To further enhance the contact-less experience, give diners the option to order or make payments from the table.
Your patio can act as a billboard to prospective customers looking for an enjoyable dining experience. As excited customers come to dine outdoors, make the most of the increase in traffic by continuing to offer carry-out, curbside pickup, and delivery services. Enhanced services such as meal kits, take and bake, and specialty items should be promoted to new and existing customers. To increase sales on the spot, create an on-site pop-up shop or virtual "marketplace" to sell pantry essentials and signature items.
For more recommendations, tools, and strategies to create a highly efficient and profitable outdoor patio this season, explore the Sysco Foodie Outdoor Patio and Dining TOOLKIT. This invaluable resource has everything you need to set up an unforgettable dining experience for guests while providing full support to management and staff. See what's inside these and other innovative resources with Sysco Foodie Solutions TOOLKITS on SyscoFoodie.com.
Customers will be looking to see what steps you have taken to ensure their safety, comfort, and enjoyment while dining on the patio. Reimagine your menu offerings and format to meet customers' high expectations while increasing sales. Safely serve customers by implementing a single sheet disposable paper menu, menu board, or digital display to eliminate cross-contamination or the need to clean reusable menus. Take your menu online with a QR Code for fast, hassle-free, touchless menu viewing. QR codes allow customers to review your menu on their smartphone or tablet. To further enhance the contact-less experience, give diners the option to order or make payments from the table.
Your patio can act as a billboard to prospective customers looking for an enjoyable dining experience. As excited customers come to dine outdoors, make the most of the increase in traffic by continuing to offer carry-out, curbside pickup, and delivery services. Enhanced services such as meal kits, take and bake, and specialty items should be promoted to new and existing customers. To increase sales on the spot, create an on-site pop-up shop or virtual "marketplace" to sell pantry essentials and signature items.
For more recommendations, tools, and strategies to create a highly efficient and profitable outdoor patio this season, explore the Sysco Foodie Outdoor Patio and Dining TOOLKIT. This invaluable resource has everything you need to set up an unforgettable dining experience for guests while providing full support to management and staff. See what's inside these and other innovative resources with Sysco Foodie Solutions TOOLKITS on SyscoFoodie.com.
