Spring is officially here! Spring brings excitement to people and restaurants for the return of warmer weather and outdoor dining.

 

In the restaurant industry, they are used to dealing with seasonality. Restaurants that know how to take advantage of each season are the ones that attract new customers and keep them coming back.

Spring is when restaurants begin to increase business, and it is vital to be prepared.

In this post, we want to give you some guidelines so that your restaurant can thrive this spring.

Spring cleaning is a priority

A clean and disinfected restaurant is a priority for consumers, especially after COVID.

This means you need to take spring cleaning to the next level in your restaurant. 86% of consumers want visible evidence of cleanliness, which is essential for them to feel safe. You can attract customers to your restaurant when you publicly post your cleaning efforts on your social media.

Show off your cutlery dryer or your glass polisher on your social media. Both pieces of equipment improve cleanliness and increase hygiene.

 

Preparation for patio season

Restaurants tend to see an increase in business during warmer months, as it is more attractive for customers to dine outdoors. That means patio season is back!

It has been found that simply adding an outdoor patio to a restaurant could increase gross profits by up to 65%.

Customers love to enjoy outdoor meals, and after the pandemic, this is even more appealing as outdoor settings make them feel safer.

You should start thinking about what you will need for the sunnier days ahead. Do you have umbrellas? Or a patio awning for when it rains? The best patios are adequately equipped to handle all last-minute weather changes.

You can also keep business flowing on your patio at night by adding lights. These are a great way to attract people walking by.

Plan for seasonal staffing

In spring, restaurants usually operate with higher capacity limits, and you will need more staff to help manage the influx of customers.

Now is the time to hire more staff. Plan ahead, and you will have enough time to onboard new staff, familiarize them with your restaurant, and train them properly before customer volume grows.

Hiring more people for peak seasons will also help prevent burnout for your regular staff. When you provide them with the right amount of help, they can do their job more efficiently and spend more time engaging with customers. Every staff position in your restaurant is equally important to the success of your business.

It's also important to consider that you should evenly divide staff sections in your restaurant and patio with a daily plan. Some days you'll find that everyone wants to sit outside, and if you only have one waiter assigned there, you're putting them at a disadvantage. Keeping the number of tables even among waiters will help ensure proper turnover.

 

Update your menu with creative seasonal offerings

Updating your menu is a must for your spring preparation. Customer preferences are changing, and your menu should reflect that with seasonal products.

On a hot, sunny day, your customers will want something fresh and light, not the hot and hearty dishes you were serving in winter.

Spring provides an excellent opportunity for your restaurant to partner with local suppliers to incorporate their products into your offerings. Make sure your customers know you are using local produce.

Your menu should highlight local ingredients because this is an effective way to show your restaurant's role in its community. Today's consumers care about food transparency and want to see how their decision to support your restaurant affects their environment.

The latest trend studies found that consumers want more superfoods and flavors with health benefits. Consider adding immunity-boosting ingredients like ginger, turmeric, CBD, and chia seeds to your menu.

Don't forget about cocktails either. With patio season in full swing, your customers will want refreshing drinks to stay cool. Having special cocktails that are creative and reflect the season can help boost sales and attract more customers.

Make a difference by preparing cocktails with our instant CO2 glass chiller.