[su_note note_color=”#ffe3e6″]This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other Amazon websites.[/su_note]
If you’ve ever seen Kitchen Nightmares or other shows of that like, you know there are plenty of restaurants that aren’t very inviting. However, there is a bevy of eateries around the world that create an environment worth coming back to over and over again.
So, how do they do it? This list will introduce keen restaurant owners to a series of simple ways restaurants can create a welcoming atmosphere for their staff and customers.
Ladle of Contents
Stylish Lighting
Attention to lighting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to create a specific atmosphere. That being said, how you light a restaurant relies on the exact theme you’re going for. A welcoming atmosphere doesn’t necessarily mean more light. It’s more about setting the tone.
If you’re a high-end restaurant with a romantic theme, the warm glow of a candle in a dim (though not excessively dim) room can help you accomplish that feeling. If you want the atmosphere to be fun and upbeat, get rid of the dim lighting and brighten the place up. Suffice it to say, moody lighting is out of place in fast food joints like McDonald’s.
If possible, use natural light to your advantage during the day. For romantic restaurants, allow just a selective sliver of light to come through the blinds and warm up the place. However, for those who want to create a livelier atmosphere, open those blinds all the way and let the sunlight stream in.
Service with a Smile
Even if the restaurant looks gorgeous, unfriendly staff will create an unfriendly atmosphere. Therefore, all restaurants should enforce a good attitude and work ethic among staff. Some restaurants rely on humorously insulting customers, but unless that’s the specific theme of your place, keep it friendly.
Of course, you can’t simply yell at your staff to be more friendly. Aside from telling them to be friendly during training, you have to create a welcoming work environment for them. By treating your employees with respect, kindness, and responsibility, you’ll make it much easier for them to utilize those same qualities while assisting patrons.
Keep It Clean
One of the best ways that restaurants can create a welcoming atmosphere is by prioritizing cleanliness. If customers walk in and see trash on the floor, fingerprints on the table, or even dirty dishes, they’ll want to leave. Not only do these things make the restaurant look gross, but they make it very unsanitary and unhealthy for both staff and customers.
By keeping the place clean, you show customers that you care about their health and safety. Plus, now more than ever, installing sneeze guards is incredibly beneficial to restaurants.
Sneeze guards are sturdy dividers that minimize exposure to respiratory droplets expelled during interactions between staff and customers. Using all these practices in tandem will allow you to create an area that looks and feels welcoming to all who enter your restaurant.
