Get your restaurant's sheltered outdoor area ready and bookable

With autumn fast approaching, nostalgic diners are looking for ways to extend the summer without having to brave the elements and are seeking outdoor dining options that are comfortable and inviting year-round. As outdoor dining continues to grow in popularity, restaurants are rethinking the potential of their outside spaces, optimising their booking potential and breathing new life into tired decor. If you have an outdoor sheltered area in need of a rethink, read on!

Did you know that 5,000* of TheFork Restaurants have already added the Terrace TAG on their restaurant page? Contact your account manager to join them and boost your restaurant visibility to attract local diners! 

*TheFork internal snowflake data based on global data as of 25/02/2020

Benefits of outdoor sheltered areas

Optimise your outside space by adding a sheltered outdoor area to take advantage of these benefits:

• Extra Space: Increasing occupancy is an integral method for improving productivity. With more tables, you can feed more guests, leading to higher profits. Furthermore, customers will feel more comfortable, rather than being overcrowded inside. 
• More Options: With more spaces available, your restaurant will increase its adaptability. You could choose to optimise your outdoor shelter area for children, keeping inside diners happy and families entertained.
• Year-round Opportunities: By adding an outdoor sheltered seating area, you can expect to welcome more customers at all times of the year, ensured by your new weather protection. To make this even more likely, consider adding heaters and lighting. 

Decorate your outdoor sheltered areas

With change in the air, it’s worth considering how to optimise furniture and shelter for your patio area alongside the cultivation of seasonal menus and special offers. Below are some tips for doing just that based on data-driven analytics from TheFork’s users. 
 

Integrate lush greenery

With autumn fast approaching, customers are keen to escape from their daily routines and enjoy some fresh air. As both decoration and air filtration systems, plants and vegetation are the perfect addition to any outdoor shelter area. Consider incorporating them as a privacy barrier between tables to increase the sense of spaciousness in your outdoor area.
 

Lighting and ambience

To keep attracting customers later in the evenings, do not neglect the importance of outside lighting. Good lighting options on your restaurant terrace will ensure the quality of your evening service and delight your customers until closing time. However, do choose lightbulbs with lower brightness to create a warm and welcoming feeling rather than a sterile one. 
 

Colours 

One effective way to attract customers to your restaurant is through the use of colour. Consider using warm, bold, or creative colours to attract potential patrons. The colours of your deck or terrace will be the most prominent way to stand out from your competition and attract diners. You may also consider coordinating your decor with your restaurant’s branding to reinforce its identity. 
 

Waterproof and sustainable materials

Customers truly value restaurants that prioritise sustainability. Therefore, make sure to use environmentally friendly materials to decorate your outdoor space and publicise this fact.

Whatever material you choose, make sure that your solution is waterproof so that you are prepared for whatever the elements have to throw at you. 
 

Make the most of your outdoor sheltered areas

With an attractive restaurant terrace at your disposal, it is essential that prospective customers feel it is a relaxing and accessible option for leisure activities. To offer the best experience to your clients, restaurants that subscribe to TheFork Manager have access to a wealth of optimisation shortcuts to success.

Space optimisation

With our digital floor plan feature, you can preview the available space in your restaurant and draw limits around fixed objects. Thanks to this, you can find the best table arrangement without having to physically move a single table.

Respect safety measures

Health and safety regulations often stipulate building requirements and restaurant capacities. The digital floor plan will be of great help in complying with the requirements and finding the best combination of security and space optimisation in just a few clicks. You can also lock tables and define the distance between them directly on TheFork Manager.

Seating preferences

As guests often prefer to book outdoor tables or stipulate outside seating as a preference when they do book, TheFork Manager now offers a feature that enables diners to choose where they would like to be seated in the restaurant. The feature will automatically assign reservations to the right areas (Inside, Terrace, Patio, etc.) and the right tables (Standard, Tall, Low, etc.) on the restaurant floor plan.

Time management

With our waiting list feature, decide how many guests to receive per time slot and limit them based on their booking origin (offline, online). If you still have requests that you did not expect, add the unworkable reservation to the queue so that, when a table becomes available, you can easily notify the client.

Outdoor restaurant menu

Whether your business is a restaurant with an outdoor sheltered area or a completely al fresco establishment, a dedicated outdoor sheltered menu could streamline your business operations. By uploading your PDF menu to TheFork, your specialised service will help you stand out from competitors.

Forecasting a rain and hassle-free autumn with a new outdoor sheltered area? Get more tips for creating a seasonal menu and further enhancing your business management today with TheFork Manager.