Some people might assume that the layout of your restaurant doesn’t matter much, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A good restaurant layout can make or break your business as it has a huge impact on interior design and the flow of traffic.
With the right guidance from experts like GRUBBRR, you can make everything about your restaurant -from the floor plan to the ordering system- work to your advantage to increase sales and optimize customer satisfaction. Read on to know more about why restaurant layout is so important.
1. Flow of Traffic
Without the proper layout, your restaurant won’t encourage an efficient flow of traffic. This means that anyone with reservations, pick-up orders, or a walk-in request won’t understand how best to navigate the space. This type of layout faux-pas can lead to bad reviews, health code violations, and unhappy customers.
Do your restaurant a favor and think about how customers will move through your establishment. For example, if you place dishes of food far away from where people place their orders, then you’re forcing customers to navigate past other diners and waitstaff on their way back to their table (and vice versa). This slows down your service and makes it harder for new guests to get seated quickly. The best restaurants are designed with traffic flow in mind; they make it easy for guests to get in and out without getting caught up in a line or rushing through an awkwardly crowded dining room.
2. Comfort For Diners
When patrons walk into a restaurant, they’re looking for an experience that will be pleasant. Customers are looking to spend time with their family or business associates, not be uncomfortable due to poor design choices. By focusing on creating a comfortable dining space, you can make your customers feel welcome and at home.
When designing your layout for customer comfort, think from the perspective of your diners. Chairs should be aesthetically pleasing yet soft and sturdy to keep customers safe and comfortable as they dine. Consider choosing cushioned chairs over hardwood chairs whenever possible.
Having a few open spaces is also an important detail. If people feel crowded in an area of your restaurant, it will quickly become an obstacle course during peak hours or special events. Think of ways to integrate open space with an easy-to-navigate dining room for a floor plan that appeases both diners and restaurant staff,
3. Utilization of Space
Since restaurants are hospitality businesses, they exist to provide their customers with a pleasurable experience. The better you’re able to create a welcoming environment with your space, the more your customers will frequent your establishment. A great way to maximize both seating capacity and guest satisfaction is by strategically placing furniture in your dining room or kitchen.
By mapping out your layout to maximize efficiency without compromising your customers’ comfort, you’ll ensure that all areas of your restaurant are welcoming to first-time customers and loyal guests.
Your restaurant layout speaks volumes about your restaurant and our business’ mission. Use this guide to inspire your next restaurant redesign and layout.
