7 Easy Ways to Update Your Restaurant's Decor

The restaurant industry has changed drastically over the past few decades, and there are new trends and styles that are constantly changing and evolving. Many restaurants find themselves with outdated decor because they're unable to keep up with changing tastes. Restaurant owners may also be overwhelmed or intimidated by costly, time-consuming, and large renovation projects. Fortunately, updating your decor doesn't have to be difficult, and making a few small changes can radically change how customers perceive your restaurant and its overall look. Here are 7 easy things you can do to update your restaurant's decor:

1. Implement a New Color Scheme

Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the look of your dining area. And changing the colors on your walls can give your customers an entirely different dining experience. Painting is also a quick DIY project, so you can cut down on your renovation time. But, before you start painting, you should first choose a color scheme that complements your concept or brand. Additionally, rather than painting your entire dining space, you can use an accent wall to enhance one particular wall and create contrast with the other neutral colored walls. An accent wall is when you paint one wall with a bright color or pattern that stands out from the others to draw attention, and it gives your restaurant a more modern look.

2. Add Plants to Your Dining Space

If used correctly, adding plants to your dining space can bring life and a splash of color to your front-of-house area. But, you shouldn't use real plants because they are costly to maintain, can trigger customers' allergies, and create smells that can clash with the aromas of your food. If you want to use real plants, cacti and succulents are excellent options because they are easy to care for and don't give off any odor. Additionally, there are plenty of realistic-looking fake plants that you can use to decorate your space.

3. Hang Artwork on Your Walls

If you're going for an artsy and contemporary look, hanging artwork in your dining space is an excellent idea. The artwork you use can be anything, ranging from photographs, to paintings, to 3D art and sculptures. Additionally, you can put up local artists' work in your establishment and give customers the option to buy it. That way, you get beautiful art to hang in your restaurant, and you also help the local art community. For restaurants that offer ethnic cuisine, displaying photographs and paintings of famous landscapes and landmarks in that region is a great way to give your restaurant a sense of authenticity.

4. Skip the Tablecloths

In years past, tablecloths gave customers the impression of fine dining and elegance. Nowadays though, many restaurants are trading in their tablecloths for bare wooden tables, which fits with the minimalist aesthetic that has become popular. Tablecloths are also costly to upkeep because they need to be constantly washed and replaced. If you want to give your customers a similar feeling of elegance, you can use cloth napkins. Additionally, table mats can help protect the surface of your tables from scratches and stains caused by dinnerware or flatware.

5. Use Light Creatively

Changing the lighting and amount of light in your restaurant can have a huge impact on the ambience. More light gives your establishment a bright and welcoming atmosphere, and a dimmer dining space creates a more intimate and romantic feel. There are different ways that you can change the amount of light in your establishment. Mood lighting, recessed lights, and pendant lamps create a soft and diffused light, and candles help accentuate the romantic atmosphere. You can also adjust the natural light coming to your dining area with curtains and blinds. Not only can curtains change the amount of light coming into your restaurant, but they can also provide a splash of color and decorative flair that you can use to match with your color scheme and concept.

Re-Design Your Menu

Your menu may be one of the last things that you consider when updating your restaurant's decor, but it can have a huge impact on how your customers perceive your establishment. Old-fashioned menus with fraying menu covers can give the impression that your operation is shabby and cheap. So, rather than print your menu on pre-designed menu paper, you can create your own unique design on the computer using free design software. If you want a more professional-looking menu that reflects your restaurant's concept, you can also hire a local graphic designer to create one for you. Then, pair your new and improved menu with a stylish menu cover to complete the look and protect the paper from spills and stains.

Update Your Servingware and Tableware

The pieces that you serve your food on can also affect the customers' perception of your restaurant. For example, if you're using old porcelain plates that have scratches and chips on the surface, it's going to reflect poorly on your operation. Many restaurants may be reluctant to change out their dinnerware and servingware because they think it's expensive, but there are affordable options. Melamine is durable and cost effective, and it can mimic more upscale types of dinnerware, which makes it an excellent option for casual establishments that want to maintain a sophisticated look.

Many restaurant owners put off updating their decor because they think that it involves difficult and costly renovations, but by simply changing a few small things in your restaurant, you can drastically change how customers see your restaurant. For example, painting your walls with a brighter color or adding new curtains can bring in more light and vibrancy to your dining room, which influences your customers and how they feel. Or, new servingware and menus can give your establishment a fresh look. So, if you keep these seven tips in mind, you can drastically improve the look and design of your restaurant.

Make Your Restaurant's Patio a Winter Dining Destination

As the weather gets cooler, it is time to prepare your restaurant for winter. Your terrace, which could double your capacity during warmer months, sits unoccupied until spring. What if you could make your restaurant's patio an attraction during the winter months? In metropolitan areas all over the country, contemporary bistros, cafes, and eateries have redefined winterizing their spaces. Instead of closing their terraces, they bring out the heaters, cozy decor, and exclusive menu items to draw guests outside in chilly weather. Keep reading to see how you, too, can transform your restaurant's patio this winter.

Why Should I Keep My Patio Open this Winter?

Your patio is a valuable part of your restaurant’s space. It is an area that you own or lease regardless of the time of year, which gives you the opportunity to generate more income for your restaurant. Especially if space is at a premium in your establishment, leaving your patio open for the winter could help you bring in more profit during your slower season. Not only does this free up more space for potential customers, but it also sets your business apart from other eateries that can’t offer the unique attraction of a cold weather patio experience.

How to Make the Most of Your Restaurant's Terrace in Winter

If you are at a loss for how to make your patio suitable for winter use, start with these guidelines.

Make It Warm

Heating elements are necessary to make your patio operational during cold winter months. Depending on your patio’s size and layout, you can choose from several heating options to keep your patrons toasty.

Fireplaces add a rustic feel to your terrace's ambiance. A fire will add heat, sound, and light to make a cozy atmosphere that is inviting to guests. If your patio is small, a fireplace may be all that you need to generate sufficient heat.

Alternatively, commercial patio heaters provide warmth throughout your outdoor space. Standing heaters can be placed around your customers’ tables, while wall-mounted options radiate heat from the perimeter of your patio.

To keep the heat that you generate within the confines of your terrace, it is best to have some sort of enclosure. Transparent vinyl curtains can help your patio retain heat, but they do not take away your guests’ view.

Make It Comfortable

To entice your patrons to come outside when the weather is chilly, make your patio space comfortable and welcoming. Providing an area with lounge-style furniture creates a casual environment that encourages guests to feel at home. With blankets and cushioned chairs for extra insulation, customers can bundle up and order food and drinks without being hindered by the cold.

Make It Exclusive

If a comfy environment isn’t enough to draw your customers outside, adding the element of exclusivity can bring patrons to your patio. Try offering a menu of starters or shared plates that is only available outside or craft hot cocktails exclusive to your outdoor guests.

Similarly, you can run promotions to welcome customers into your exterior space. Try a happy hour special for drinks ordered on the patio, or include complimentary s’mores with an entree purchase.

Make It an Experience

The key to successfully operating your patio during the winter is not treating it like an extension of your indoor dining room. Your outdoor space should provide a different experience that guests will seek out. Whether you entice your customers with cozy decor, unique menu items, or simply the chance to watch snow falling, it is important to recognize that your patio can have unique charm during the winter.

To enhance its charm, try hiring musicians for live entertainment on your terrace. This addition not only attracts customers who enjoy music, but it also differentiates the ambiance of your outdoor space from indoors.

Additionally, you can coordinate your lighting with the type of atmosphere you want your patio to have. If you keep lighting low, this encourages your customers to look outside at the wintry sights.

This winter, instead of packing up your patio furniture, consider a new way to winterize your space. With the addition of some heating elements, seasonal decor to add ambiance, and a few special promotions, your restaurant can draw guests outside in cold weather.

Winter is Coming: Preparing Your Restaurant for Colder Weather

It's inevitable: every winter, foodservice profits drop due to cold weather and snow. If your restaurant is located in an area that receives frequent snow during the winter months, you're sure to have experienced a decline in sales. Cold weather and snow keep many potential customers indoors between December and March each year, and making up these losses can seem impossible. However, there are several things your business can do to avoid the winter blues. For tips and information on preparing for and combating the big freeze, check out the recommendations and advice below.

Pump Up Your Marketing

Carefully crafted marketing campaigns are an effective way to increase your business volume and sales during the winter season. You could try offering specials during these months, such as 2 for $20 deals or free appetizers and desserts. While you may initially lose money this way, your profits will ultimately increase as more customers learn about and begin taking advantage of your deals.

Another way to improve sales over the winter months is to spend more time on social media marketing. For example, you could engage with customers via Instagram or Twitter by posting pictures of special drinks and meals, or offering complimentary appetizers to the first 25 patrons who "like" your posts. Other non-social media-related options include adding hearty, winter-themed menu items, decorating with winter-themed decor, and devising creative holiday cocktails.

Use a Delivery Service

One way to get your food to hungry customers is by using a 3rd party delivery service. You can do this by hiring a third-party company or by having your own front-of-house employees drive food directly to your customers' doorsteps. Delivery, of course, hinges on how bad the roads are, and you should never endanger lives just to make a profit. However, if you make a lot of money via deliveries, you might consider purchasing a four wheel drive vehicle to use when delivering food in inclement weather.

If your restaurant is located in an urban area, you could also have your delivery people walk or ride bikes. If you live in the countryside or less-populated areas, you might use a snowmobile, jet ski, or all-terrain vehicle, although most businesses may find these options a bit extreme.

Prepare for Inclement Weather

If your restaurant is located in an area where snow, ice, and other bad weather is common, be sure to invest in a generator. Power outages not only keep customers from patronizing your business, but can also lead to large quantities of spoiled food. Your restaurant should also have your heating system inspected by an HVAC technician, which will ensure things are operating safely and effectively. You can also ensure customer safety by keeping sidewalks and parking lots clear of snow and ice.

Winterize Your Outdoor Spaces

Follow these steps to prepare and protect your outdoor areas during the winter.

Clean Your Furniture

Before you close up your restaurant’s terrace for the season, be sure to clean all of your furniture. Pay special attention to fabric elements, as they can become moldy if not properly cleaned. To prevent this, try vacuuming each cushion and umbrella, and then cover them for storage in a dry area.

Plastic furniture can simply be washed with soap and water and stored indoors, while wicker and wood furniture should be treated with oil before storing.

If you use metal tables and chairs, be sure to check for rust and paint scratches after you clean them. Small rust spots can be scraped and painted over, but if a piece has large rusty patches, consider replacing it.

Power Wash Your Patio

After all of your furniture and cooking equipment is cleaned and put away, wash your patio floor with a power washer or hose. This step will make it easier to clean again in the spring and will help to remove any debris from your busy summer.

When you are finished, clear the hose of any water and turn off the outdoor tap to help keep pipes from bursting. This is also a good time to cover any exposed pipes in your building with foam insulator.

Protect Against Pests

To prevent pests from entering your restaurant in attempts to get out of the cold weather, make sure that any outdoor vents are properly covered with mesh. Also consider trimming plants and shrubbery around the patio, as small animals love to burrow in the shelter of bushes and flowerbeds.

Consider Staying Open

An outdoor patio makes for a unique atmosphere that customers enjoy, even in the winter months. If you provide the proper heating and amenities, you can turn your patio into a winter dining destination. Plus, keeping outdoor areas open and comfortable for guests will set you apart from competitors with closed terraces in the winter.

Regardless of the type of business you own, properly preparing for cold weather and incorporating innovative strategies to keep customers coming back is essential to the success of your establishment.

How to Make Spaetzle

Every country has its own signature style of cuisine. In Germany, you’ll find a lot of meat-focused dishes, like wiener schnitzel and bratwurst. Some German entrees include sauces or gravy that go great with starchy side dishes. One of the most iconic and recognizable German side dishes, spaetzle are little dumplings made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, and milk that are formed into droplets by using a spaetzle maker.

While it’s possible to make spaetzle with a regular colander, a spaetzle maker delivers more consistent and superior results because of its larger holes and flat surface that sits securely over a pot of boiling water. This handy kitchen tool also features a sliding hopper that holds the batter and distributes it evenly among the holes when moved back and forth in an even sliding motion. Though it may be a funny-looking contraption, a spaetzle maker is a must-have item for German restaurants that prepare this dish frequently. It also comes in handy for any establishment that hosts an annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Spaetzle Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 3 Tbsp butter

Directions

1. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.

2. Combine and mix the dry ingredients.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Pour the milk into the eggs.

4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients with a whisk. Stir until smooth. You can add more milk if the batter is too thick.

5. Melt the butter in a skillet. You can brown it if you like.

6. When your entree has just a few minutes to go, set your spaetzle maker on top of the pot of boiling water. It should fit securely. Slowly pour your batter into the plastic hopper. The hopper should slide easily back and forth across the holes to distribute the batter evenly as it drops through into the water. You may need to refill the hopper a few times until all the batter has been added to the water.

7. Boil the spaetzle for 3-4 minutes.

8. Use a skimmer to remove and drain the spaetzle. Add them directly to the pan of hot butter. Toss them a few times until they’re fully coated and slightly golden brown in color.