Since 2020, the pandemic has affected a lot of businesses. Restaurant business was amongst the worst hit industries in the market. However, the good news is that the eateries have slowly started limping back to normalcy as restaurant owners devised novel ways to lure customers in. One, among these measures, was to create an outdoor dining zone for the guests. This move worked wonders as customers felt safe in the socially distant outdoor dining areas.
While people started flocking the restaurants again, business owners also worked day and night to improve the customer experience further so that it results in more footfall and revenue. We are completely on the side of business owners, who are now working to make up for their losses, because we understand how difficult it might have been for you financially during the peak of the pandemic and lockdown.
Whether you’re running a small outdoor cafe, a quick-serve outdoor restaurant, or a full-service outdoor restaurant, it’s crucial that you improve the quality of your establishment. One way of doing that is by using outdoor commercial umbrellas to adorn the dining set-up. The commercial umbrellas for restaurants not only add a bit of zing to your restaurant but also protect the customers from rough weather and the sun’s harmful rays.
So if you are looking for the perfect shade idea for your restaurant’s outdoor dining zone, you can put commercial café umbrellas to good use. To know more about the various functionalities of these outdoor commercial umbrellas and how they can help revamp your restaurant’s outdoor dining zone, read on…
TYPES OF UMBRELLAS
You already know that outdoor commercial umbrellas are a great addition to your dining set-up. With the sun beating down, they provide shade to your guests so that they can enjoy their food comfortably while breathing fresh air. The most popular umbrellas used by restaurants for outdoor dining purposes include:
- Patio umbrella: They give a cosy feel to the set-up and are ideal for alluring your customers for a leisurely lunch. They are available in two categories: Business and Premium. While business umbrellas feature a slimmer centre-pole, making them compatible with most outdoor tables, the premium range has a larger pole and can be ordered with a mounting base for portable use. However, the common factor between these two commercial café umbrellas is that, they accentuate the appeal of your outdoor dining area with their unique appearance.
- Cantilever umbrellas: Unlike a patio or a traditional umbrella which has a centre pole, these umbrellas extend outwards from a side-leveraged frame. This is ideal if you want to shade a large table as the umbrella allows for increased access to the shade below. They also feature height adjustment and full rotational tilt function so that your guests are well-protected from the sun’s rays even as it changes its position throughout the day. With no centre pole, they also give an unobstructed view.
- Clear-span outdoor tent: One of the most popular choices when it comes to selecting commercial umbrellas for restaurants. They are extremely durable and are known for their appeal and long-term usage. Another crucial factor is your guests can move about freely under the umbrella because it doesn’t have any interior support poles. Instead, these tents are supported by four poles on the outer edges.
- Custom-printed pop-up tents: Almost all businesses looking for shade solutions are also interested in using the products for promotional purposes. So, if you are thinking of using umbrellas in your outdoor dining space, order custom-printed patio umbrellas or cantilever umbrellas. You can promote your brand through personalised customisations, like printing your business name and logo on the fabric of the umbrella.
LOCATIONS TO SET UP UMBRELLAS
We are sure that you already know about the different ways through which you can decorate your outdoor dining set-up with commercial café umbrellas. However, we felt that we should give you at least one good advice: Try to blend and integrate the umbrellas with your existing place. Hence, we have listed a few methods for you to consider:
Front porch: As the name suggests, front porch patios are located at or near the main entrance of a restaurant. This arrangement is one of the most common outdoor dining set-ups and acts as the metaphorical window to your restaurant. This is because they have the power to attract customers to your eateries as they are open to passers-by and onlookers. In fact, patrons visiting your restaurant will definitely see the front porch patio on their way in and could be enticed to sit in this area. Generally, the front porch of a restaurant’s outdoor dining space isn’t too big. So you don’t need big umbrellas for the tables.
Backyard: Often found behind a restaurant or in a side yard, this section has a different functionality as compared to the front porch. They provide diners with privacy and carry an air of exclusivity. They are not openly advertised and this evokes interest in customers. As word spreads, diners want to gain access to the much-discussed backyard patio and become drawn to the restaurant. Therefore, you need umbrellas which can set the right mood for the place and aren’t too loud.
Sidewalk seating: They are similar to front porch patios and don’t take up much space. You can easily spruce up outdoor dining with a few umbrella-topped tables and comfortable seats.
Rooftops: Rooftops are the most common outdoor dining areas in urban areas. Cantilever umbrellas are mostly used for this space as you want diners to enjoy the open-air ambience as well as the breath-taking skyline views while having their meal.
CONCLUSION
By now, you must have understood the importance of outdoor commercial umbrellas for your restaurant’s outdoor dining space. But we want to leave you with one last thought. You might purchase any kinds of commercial cafe umbrellas that are mentioned above but make sure you don’t compromise on quality. Otherwise, your umbrella will wear out quickly and your investment will go down the drain. Therefore, we always advise our readers to buy top-quality commercial umbrellas for restaurants that will not only last long but might also help create a long-lasting impression on your customers.