4 Investments You Can Make During Summer to Bring More Customers to Your Restaurant

The average profit margin for US restaurants is 5%. However, during summer, that margin goes above 7%. Restaurants make more profits during the summer because people are out and about more. The weather is warm, so they’re eating outside and don’t want to cook at home. They want to go out and have a nice meal with friends and family or treat themselves.

However, for you to ensure a continuous flow of customers at your restaurant during the summer, you must first make a few necessary investments. We’ll talk about four areas to invest in during the summer to make your restaurant more profitable. Also check restaurant furniture in Melbourne by Adage Furniture.

#1 Outdoor Dining Space

Between 2020 and 2022, the US added over 18,000 outdoor dining spaces. While the pandemic played a huge role here, people, in general, enjoy eating outdoors, which acted as the other motivation behind such investments. 

The summer season is a time for outdoor dining. The warm weather and bright sunshine are an excellent backdrop for family meals, casual get-togethers with friends, and romantic date nights. Eating outside is also a great way to enjoy the change in seasons and celebrate the end of winter.

If you’re committed to providing your customers with the best possible experience, here are some tips for setting up outdoor dining during summer:

• Keep the area well-lit.
• Offer both fans and awnings so that your guests have options for cooling themselves down.
• Make sure there’s plenty of seating and tables so that people aren’t crowded together—if they’re not comfortable in their seating area, they won’t be happy with their experience.

#2 Air Conditioning

Average summer temperatures in the US can reach 27.3 degrees Celsius. In the UK, temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius or more during a heatwave. These high temperatures make it hard for people to be outdoors. Despite that, people will still go to restaurants to enjoy time with their family and friends, and they will appreciate it a lot if the restaurant they visit has air conditioning. 

Indoor air conditioning is vital when running a restaurant during the summer. It helps to keep your customers comfortable, and it helps you make sure that they are enjoying their meal without having to worry about being too hot.

Air conditioning also helps keep your employees happy and healthy. If they are working in an environment that is too hot, they may not feel as productive or comfortable at work. Air conditioning helps them stay productive, which is crucial if you want your employees to provide good customer service.

#3 Slush Machines

It’s hot outside, and that means people are looking for ways to cool off. However, it’s not just ice cream and popsicles that do the trick. Slush drinks are the perfect way to satisfy thirst and beat the heat.

Slush drinks are made with crushed ice, which gives them a thick consistency and a smooth texture. They’re also packed with fresh fruits and flavors, giving them a great taste that can’t be beaten. Customers who love slush drinks will be delighted to learn that their favorite restaurants are serving them during summer.

Summer is, therefore, the perfect time for you to invest in a specialist slush machine. You can even go for two or more slush machines depending on their demand. These machines will make life easier for your restaurant staff who’ll be serving the drinks. Besides, they also guarantee consistency and efficiency, which are qualities you must ensure if you want people to keep coming back for more.

#4 Kid-Friendly Menu and Decoration

Summer is the season of family and fun, but it can also be the season of stress when it comes to dining out with kids. Restaurants can make it easier on parents by offering kid-friendly menus and decorating their restaurants in ways that are appealing to children. It’s also a way they can appeal to a wider demographic consisting mostly of kids and their parents.

Restaurants should offer a kids’ menu that includes limited-ingredient options like grilled chicken or fish, plain pasta and vegetables, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Your restaurant’s kid’s menu can also include a variety of healthy beverages such as water or milk.

When it comes to decorating the restaurant during the summer months, one way is to hang colorful balloons from the ceiling and add some toys or large pillows on each table. If you don’t want to spend money on balloons or pillows, you can use paper plates in primary colors to decorate your tables instead. You also need to make sure that there is enough seating for kids as well as their parents. 

So, as you prepare your restaurant for the summer, don’t forget to make these investments. You won’t have to wait too long to see the results these four investments bring you.