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We would like to share this great article with you, borrowed from our friends at Restaurant Hospitality!

A church buying up cafe table tops, bar stools, and dining chairs?  Yes, it does happen!

Building community and attracting new audiences are two very important objectives for many churches, regardless of denomination.  Many churches across the U. S. (and globally) have acted on a growing trend to help address these goals:  open a cafe or coffee house inside the church.  Depending on your church community’s own goals, a coffee house could also be a much-needed revenue stream for a declining membership or growing capital needs.

We live in a Starbucks world

Chances are, when your congregation walks out your chapel doors on Sunday morning, they are heading to the nearest Starbucks or local coffee house to get their fix before the rest of the day.  Or perhaps, they came to church holding their white to-go cup adorned with that famous green mermaid.  Younger generations, especially, feel comfortable in a cafe atmosphere and often include a weekly, if not daily, visit to a cafe or coffee house.  Bringing this atmosphere to a church can make the Sunday ritual a little less intimidating or threatening to some, and can offer a convenience factor to those coffee connoisseurs in your congregation.  If you’re reading this, you are probably already tasting your drink of choice – whether it’s a chilled frappuccino, a frothy cappuccino with your favorite flavor shot, or a bold cup of espresso.  Even tea drinkers find comfort at a cafe, and many serve up smoothies for those looking for a fruity taste instead (which is also a great kids’ choice for younger families).

Coffee hour can build community

Imagine your sermon ends, and people don’t rush out the door.  Instead, they chat with their neighbors over coffee in your narthex, or a church-run separate cafe.  Imagine Bible Study ends, but the conversation continues over a cappuccino or hot tea.  Imagine a pastor reaching out to get to know someone in his fellowship, and being able to offer a cup of joe in a relaxed atmosphere while trying to do so.  Having a resource of this kind inside your chapel’s walls can be a great boost to your own congregation and provide ample opportunities to bring people together and inspire people to truly connect.  Cut out the small talk about the weather and the “I’m good” automatic responses, and really get to know your church-goers a little better.

Integrating technology will modernize your church

Coffee houses don’t just sell coffee.  They have Wi-fi, promote new music, and keep people connected – in a more global way than previously mentioned.  To do a cafe right, you need to offer free Wi-fi to your customers, so they can bring in their laptops and surf the ‘net or do other work in the peacefulness a church cafe can inhabit.  You can also stream contemporary Christian hits and perhaps offer free downloads of your own choir’s musical performances.  At times, bring in local musicians to host live events and draw more customers.  If your church’s bookstore is flailing, consider linking up with an online book retailer to bring the great written copy onto someone’s Kindle or Nook.  (Coffee houses can also inspire people to sit down and actually open up that book they’ve been meaning to read, and could work well in conjunction with a church bookstore or lending library.)  If your church is too conservative to try to bring in modern elements to its sermon, a cafe can be a great extension of your services and attract a less-conservative crowd.  If you’re already breaking down barriers with A/V additions to your Sunday mornings, then a cafe will fit into your personality and be a smooth transition for your audience.

Sundays aren’t the only days people can come to church

Does your church have activities throughout the week?  Do you want to be more visible all week long?  Having open cafe hours can not only just attract outsiders for some coffee (and money for your church’s revenue stream), but it can be a great perk to your staff, volunteers, and people coming to church throughout the week for activities or private confessionals/prayers.  Many churches recommend hiring a few key staff who are responsible for the cafe, but others can operate it solely through the hands of volunteers.  Finding what works for you, your church, your goals, and your budget will be beneficial.

If you can envision a cafe in your church, already enjoy the aroma of the beans wafting through your chapel, hear the clink of coffee mugs and friendly conversation, and begin to see the benefits of how a church cafe could promote a happier congregation, attract new/younger church-goers, and boost your fundraising efforts, then we hope this article was helpful and wish you success in your exciting new venture!

What size tables do I need?  How many people can fit comfortably at each table?  How many tables can I fit in my space?  How much room do I need to leave between tables?

These are all questions that are running through your mind as you design the layout of your restaurant or banquet center.  Your space planning is a very important step in creating a restaurant or banquet center that operates efficiently, not to mention gives your guests or patrons an enjoyable atmosphere they will want to come back to!  Here is a checklist of considerations you will need to address during your restaurant and banquet space planning.

Space Planning, Part One:

Laying the groundwork before mapping out your space diagram will save a lot of headaches in the end.  Be sure to do these initial steps in your restaurant and banquet space planning.

1. Check the local codes and be sure you always comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).  (As a rule, 5% of the total space should be accessible to people in wheelchairs.  Wheelchairs typically require a 36″ clearance for aisle space in dining areas.  Be sure the section of your establishment which is ADA-compliant is accessible to the entrance/exit and also to any public areas, such as the bathroom or cashier’s counter.)
2. Determine the square footage of your area, and make a list of all the functions the space will provide (e.g., restaurant dining, banquet style seating, classroom/seminar seating, with or without dance floor, bar and cocktail areas, buffet or stage areas, etc.)
3. Know what your customers expect from the space and what brand image/atmosphere you want the space to project.

Go the Distance:

When doing your measurements for your dining space, be sure to keep these rules of thumb distances in mind:

• Allow 18″ from the edge of the table to the back of each seat
• Allow at least 12″ between chairs that are back-to-back
• Allow a minimum of 24″ of aisle or service space (please note, the ADA requires greater room in at least 5% of the dining area for wheelchairs)
• Allow 54″ between round tables and 60″ between rectangular tables to create the needed service space
• Allow 24″ – 30″ between table corners when placed diagonally

Choose Your Table Shape(s) and Size(s):

Square tables offer the most flexibility and are easiest to move around or rearrange.
Round tables are often considered the most elegant and are the most popular for banquet seating, as they optimize space per person the best and allow for centerpieces to be displayed prominently.  Drop leaf round tables also offer some added flexibility in case you need to push tables together to accommodate a large party.
Rectangular tables are most popular for the every day dining experience and can be pushed together to create larger seating capacities per party when needed.

Follow our recommended table seating capacity chart, and think about how and what you serve to your customers.  Are you just a coffee and dessert establishment, or are you a fine dining restaurant that offers 8-course meals?  Envision everything that will be taking up space on your table tops.  Will you have candles, salt and pepper shakers, water pitchers, wine cantors, etc?  Do you serve full-course breakfasts that come on three plates per person?  Or do you serve bar food that takes up less space?  Keep all these things in mind when you choose your table size and how many chairs you put around each one. While it is recommended that each person have 2 feet of the table’s circumference or perimeter, or an estimated 300 square inches of table top space, your patrons may require more space depending on what you are serving.  On the same token, elementary school cafeterias would not need to offer as much space per person as a college or corporate cafeteria.

Many restaurants incorporate varying sizes of tables to allow for maximum seating capacity, the flexibility to serve differing sizes of parties at the same time, and to create a more aesthetically appealing restaurant space.  Mixing booth or “anchored” tables (edge of table against wall) with floating tables is also a great way to maximize space, and most guests probably prefer to be near a wall/window than “in the middle” of the room.  Placing square tables diagonally also saves floor space and can restrict views from one table to another to create a more private dining experience for your guests.

Some helpful tips:

• Do you foresee rearranging tables frequently for different events?  Be sure to purchase lightweight tables and chairs that will be easy to haul around, and choose ones that will not mar your floors.  You may also be interested in purchasing a chair and table dolly to lighten you staff’s load.
• Want to be prepared for extra customers?  Why not keep a few lightweight stacking chairs in storage in case you need to pull them out to accommodate larger parties?
• Not expecting a lot of movement?  If you are a finer dining establishment, you may want to choose the larger table per recommended number of guests and purchase heavier chairs that create an illusion of being more prestigious and luxurious.

While these guidelines and recommendations are helpful starting points, laying out a unique restaurant or banquet space for your particular establishment and utilizing the space you have for your specific goals will take a lot of thought.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and design a great looking restaurant or banquet space that effectively meets your and your guests’ expectations!

Was this helpful?  Let us know!

Resource: Seating Chart

January 23, 2012, kicked off a 15-day traditional celebration of the Lunar – or Chinese – New Year with the new moon.  Following suit in the Chinese 12-year zodiac calendar, we have officially entered the Year of the Dragon.  For us at East Coast Chair & Barstool, it means giving our China-based manufacturers and friends time off to celebrate and planning ahead for the schedule of our container shipments of tables, chairs, and barstools.  But for you – as restaurant owners – it could mean attracting new business with traditional new year recipes, new year – inspired promotions or giveaways, and the chance to cross cultural boundaries and experiment with a new theme! Restaurants and event venues across the U.S. from L.A. to New York City will be adding festivities and special new year menu items, all in honor of the Year of the Dragon.

Because it’s a 15-day celebration, you still have time to plan something big for the Lantern Festival on the 15th day, or you could introduce a dragon-themed menu item(s) for the duration of 2012!  Get creative, as the possibilities are endless!





Here are a few links to help get you thinking:

1. Nation’s Restaurant News posted a blog detailing how some national chains are celebrating the new year with specials (Read it here!)
2. SmartBlog on Restaurants posted similar information and detailed what types of foods will be celebrated (Read it here!)
3. The Daily Meal shares a recipe for Peking Duck in honor of the celebration  (Read it here!)
4. The Daily Meal also shares 4 spirits you should offer in honor of the holiday (Read it here!)

Happy Chinese New Year to you, and best wishes for a festive Year of the Dragon!

When choosing the right bar stool for your bar or restaurant, you may be wondering if you should choose a swivel bar stool or a standard bar stool that doesn’t swivel.  We know how important having the right restaurant furniture is to you and your customers, so we are here to help. There are numerous options in either a swivel or a standard bar stool style, so here are some pointers to help you decide.

Swivel bar stools tend to be easier to get in and out of. This is one huge benefit if choosing the swivel bar stool style.  Being able to pivot away from the bar or extra tall table and also out of the way of fellow patrons on either side, the swivel makes it easy to sit down and stand up from the bar. That’s not to say that a standard bar stool should always be avoided, especially if they are placed at high tables where you want your guests to stay seated for longer periods of time.  Keep the drinks coming!

Swivel bar stools work better in more social flowing atmospheres. It’s all about your brand and the atmosphere you way your bar or restaurant to portray.  If you are a social bar where singles are mingling, then a swivel bar stool is your best choice.  Movement allows patrons to scan the room, get in and out easily, turn to talk to different groups of people, etc.  However, if you are a restaurant trying to create intimate dining experiences or more private spaces for your guests, then a standard or non-swivel bar stool is the one you want.  Your patron parties will appreciate the stationary seat when leaning in to talk to one another at their same table or next to them at the bar.

Swivel bar stools may feature a taller seat height. It’s true: size matters.  When choosing your bar stool, make sure you get one with the right seat height.  Most bar stools are about 30″ tall at the seat, but a swivel may or may not add an inch or two to that height.  Always check the dimensions and give your guests enough room beneath the bar/table and above their knees. Comfort is always key in choosing the right bar stool.

Choosing a swivel bar stool means choosing metal. If you are trying to create a more traditional, warm, classic feel in your restaurant, a wooden bar stool may be your best bet.  Unfortunately for wood-lovers, most swivel bar stools come in metal.  So if you’re looking for wood, you will probably have to choose a standard or non-swivel bar stool.  That’s not a bad thing!  Solid wood bar stools offer a timeless elegance to your bar or restaurant.  Once you have a clear brand image, choosing the right bar stool will make total sense!  Perhaps, it will be love at first sight – and you will just know when you see that bar stool that is calling your name.

Whether you choose to swivel or not, selecting the right bar stools for your bar or restaurant will be a great achievement.

Cheers!

Do you have other tips to offer to this conversation?  Share them with us and our readers by commenting below!

In an ever-changing world with new technologies emerging every day and societal pressure to be new, fresh, and different, it’s amazing to realize that today’s most preferred and prestigious event chair was designed over 200 years ago.  While there have been many improvements to the Chiavari chair to modernize or add an updated twist to the overall look, the classic and traditional style has proven its timeless appeal.  That’s why I thought I’d dedicate this entire article to Chiavari chairs!

Read on to learn about:

• History of Chiavari
• You call it a what?
• When should I use a Chiavari chair?
• How can I dress up my Chiavari chair?
• Popular culture & Chiavari chairs

History of Chiavari

Designed by Italian craftsman Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi in 1807, the design was modeled after chairs brought to Descalzi from Paris.  With a goal of creating a lightweight, yet functional, chair with a highly elegant style, Descalzi gave birth to the Chiavari chair. Descalzi, whose nickname was “Bell Ringer,” was praised for the durability and beauty he achieved in his design, which far exceeded the Parisian chairs in which he modeled his design.  The Chiavari creations weighed less; plus, Descalzi’s chairs were stronger and held more weight. The elegance functionality of the chair soon grew in popularity, and thus, a multi-century trend was fashioned.  Since its inception, the Chiavari chair has seen numerous variations and versions, but quality has been at the helm of every Chiavari chair’s maker.

You call it what?

Although you may call them ‘chivari chairs’, the correct spelling of Chiavari chairs comes from the town of Chiavari in Italy where the styling was first created. So while you may refer to them as chivari chairs, proper spelling is Chiavari (shi-var-ee).  In some instances, you may hear them pronounced kee-ah-var-ee, from the Italian pronunciation of the town Chiavari.  It’s not a brand name, and many manufacturers make their own Chiavari chairs. You may also hear them referred to as Tiffany Chairs. Tiffany Chairs is just another term for the same type of chair as a Chiavari chair, given so to acknowledge the prestige of the design.   Because of the popularity of their use at weddings and wedding receptions, still others may refer to Chiavari chairs as “wedding chairs.”  No matter what you call them, a Chiavari chair is highly recognizable to many.

When should I use a Chiavari chair?

Chiavari chairs have many uses, and because of their versatility, many banquet and conference centers have decided to have them on hand for all of their special events.  While, as a generalization, these chairs are somewhat inexpensive, the Chiavari chair is also quite versatile – acting as the perfect fit for any type of function or occasion. From weddings to corporate events, casual get-togethers to audience seating, Chiavari chairs afford one the ability to accommodate any type of audience at any type of function.  Both timeless and multifunctional, these elegant chairs provide versatility, ease of use and storage, and the ability to customize their look to the desired event.  Although most often given as a seating option for larger gatherings and special occasions, the Chiavari chair is a practical, interchangeable, and decorative accent – or feature – for almost any space.  They do present a touch of class and are often used for more formal gatherings, but with their simplicity in elegance and their lower price tags, Chiavari chairs offer a great seating solution for everyday events.

The good news is that the Chiavari design is now reaching new heights!  Have you seen a Chiavari bar stool?  They are also taking on more color; see this one in a transparent sapphire, and tell me how fun it would be to set up an event with a selection of these!

So the answer is – use your Chiavari chair all the time, whenever your heart desires!

How can I dress up my Chiavari chair?

The ability to customize Chiavari chairs – either dressing them up or down, with fabric, cushions, bows or the like, gives the host flexibility of using these chairs to create and enhance the environment of a particular function or venue.  Here are my favorite suggestions for adding some pizazz to your Chiavaries:

• Add or change your Chiavari seat cushion
• Tie a bow on the back
• Fasten branches or long-stemmed flowers to the side of end chairs in a row (such as in wedding or audience seating)
• Drape a knotted a sash of satiny fabric over the back and let it hang down the back of the chair (but don’t cover up your entire Chiavari with a chair cover)

There are plenty more creative ideas on how to make your Chiavari chair stand out.

What’s great about a Chiavari chair, however, is that they are so beautiful on their own, that choosing Chiavari for your event or venue already makes your chairs stand out, so you can focus the rest of your decorating energy on other elements, like the centerpieces.

Popular culture & Chiavari chairs

I hold strong on my statement about using Chiavari in your everyday.  You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy the classic design of these elegant chairs.  Use them as your restaurant dining chairs, choose a resin Chiavari chair for your porch seating, or offer them for all your conference or theater-style seating.  However, if you’re about the glam and want to know if famous people use these chairs, the answer is yes!  A popular choice for TV host and wedding planner, David Tutera, these chairs are all the rage in celeb special events.  Carrie Underwood, Bethenny Frankel, and countless other celebrities have used Chiavari chairs on their wedding days, and when John & Jackie  Kennedy were married, they had Chiavari chairs, too.  They’ve been shown on movie and TV sets, and many famous and not-so-famous modern brides alike are requesting these chairs from their wedding venues with all the well-deserved hype surrounding Chiavari chairs.

Whatever your individual preference, it’s clear to see: Chiavari chairs are here to stay.  They are one style statement that isn’t going out of fashion any time soon.

A few days ago, we watched the ball drop.  Toasts were shared.  Resolutions were set into place.  And 2012 is now officially upon us.  Is your restaurant ready for what the new year will bring?  I’ve put together a list of restaurant trends for 2012 that I hope will get you thinking and help you reach all your new year hopes and dreams.

1. When it comes to design, less is more. We are just a bunch of minimalists.  Don’t let the few pat racks in the world that they make TV shows about influence the way you design your restaurant.  If you have shelves of dusty knick-knacks, it’s time to reinvent your image.  Anything you put into your restaurant design needs to celebrate your theme and brand; if it doesn’t, it should go.  Be picky when you choose your color scheme, artwork, lighting, and overall look of your restaurant.  If you are sports bar, then sports memorabilia is OK.  But if you are a modern, American family dining establishment, retro Hummels on a shelf probably aren’t doing anything for you.  Today’s consumers want to see shiny, germ-free, clean, and clutter-free surfaces.  The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot of money or a complete overhaul to accomplish this design task.  Not sure what to do with empty shelves?  Why not turn them into functional space by storing wine bottles, dessert glasses, or pretty pieces of fruit or veggies?
–>We also recommend some contemporary tables, chairs, or barstools!  In keeping with the less is more idea, how about an aluminum table and base set, our simple cross back metal restaurant chair, and/or the new Z stainless steel bar stool.

2. Nutrition is important. While not everyone who goes out to eat cares about the number of calories they are over-indulging in, the fact remains – some people do care.  And that number is growing.  Balance your menu with the “I’ve been good all week, so I deserve to stuff my face” items with the “I want to keep my jeans buttoned on the ride home” items.  Make it easy for smart eaters to find your healthy menu items, and be sure to make all the label-readers happy by listing out nutrition/caloric information by those menu items.  It’s good practice to be transparent, and your health-conscience consumers will feel at ease knowing exactly what they are putting in their mouths.  A growing trend is also creating more healthy side options for children.  Don’t just give them chips or fries; offer their choice of a salad, vegetable, or fruit.  Don’t forget to list the kind of milk you serve (is it skim or whole?), and be sure to choose juices with low sugar content.  If your kids’ menu is filled with fried finger foods, consider adding some healthier options or creating smaller portions of your regular, adult menu items, like many restaurants do for senior citizens. As long as you don’t expect the children dining at your restaurant to eat liver and onions, you should be able to make both child and parent happy by finding that intersection of nutritious and delicious.

3. Minimize your desserts.  Think about the dessert shooters at Applebee’s or the collection of mini desserts at PF Chang’s.  Everyone loves a burst of sweetness at the end of the meal, but if you’ve already served them an appetizer, salad, and main course, they are probably close to skipping dessert.  If you can offer them a small but satisfying treat, you are more likely to make that up-sale, and they are less likely to feel guilty about ordering dessert.  It might not be so much about nutrition for your “I’m so full, I don’t know if I can walk to the car” guests, but creating a few mini-sized desserts on your menu will pay off for you in the long run.

4. Buy local. When possible, buy local produce, fresh ingredients, and otherwise support local business by using local vendors for your purchases.  Then, don’t forget to tell your customers that the tomato on their sandwich was grown at Farmer Bob’s down the street, that the buffalo-turned-bison-burger was raised on the outskirts of town, and that you support the local fishing industry.  Consumers love to feel good about frequenting a business that cares about the same things (and people) that they do.  So if you are supporting other local commerce, they feel as if everyone is doing their part to boost the local economy and help their neighbors out.  You many consider adding a local or regional section to your menu, as well, and feature foods that are staples in your neck of the woods.  For example, where I come from, it’s not uncommon to see ox roast, pepperoni balls, Lake Erie perch, or Pittsburgh-style slaw sandwiches on a restaurant’s menu.

5. But when it comes to menu, don’t be afraid to go global. While consumers, who are still shell-shocked from the recession, are not going to want to take a lot of risks in 2012, offering some exotic-but-not-too-exotic menu choices to show off your global culinary expertise will help you compete with your fellow restauranteurs.  But don’t go too daring.  Just add a little Asian or Indian influence in your cooking, or try some borderline unique ingredients, such as coconut, pistachio, or mango.

6. Cook, don’t just heat. Chain restaurants, especially, are notorious for ‘heating’, ‘unfreezing’, and ‘scooping’ their pre-packaged meals (sent from a faraway headquarters) onto their guests’ plates.  Adding just a few homemade items, made-to-order menu choices, or house favorites can go a long way with meeting consumer expectations.  As cooks and foodies alike get more savvy, bringing more of the prep and cooking in-house will prove to be a wise choice this coming year and into the future. Empowering your kitchen staff and training them to make some of your signature dishes can prove to be a successful HR strategy, too.

7. Promote sustainability. Have you gone green?  Do you use recycled paper for your menus?  Can you grow your own herbs for cooking at your establishment?  Are your light bulbs and appliances all energy-saving products?   This is a trend that we will continue to see grow in 2012, so being able to not only market your restaurant as such but to reap the economic advantages of being sustainable will be beneficial for your own business’s growth and prospering.
–>Looking for some furniture that shows off your sustainable values?  I recommend our poly lumber tables, made 100% of recycled materials, which are good for indoor or outdoor use!

8. Listen to your customers more/better. In the age of social media, customer reviews, online surveys, and let’s face it – a lot of chatter about where people go, how they spend their money, and what they expect, it’s crucial that every business owner or marketer listen and respond in the form of improvement and action.  You may even want to jump on the bandwagon of giving discounts to customers who complete surveys, start your own restaurant Facebook page, offer a social deal of the day, or start tweeting your restaurant news and events.  Whether you want to join the online conversation or not, you should at least listen in when people are talking about you.  Be prepared; you may hear some complaints.  Don’t let that discourage you, anger you, or turn you away from those conversations.  Instead, use your customers’ advice to create a better product, atmosphere, and well-liked restaurant.  More than ever, it’s easy to collect customer feedback, so take advantage of those channels and listen closely!  Savvy marketers, like mega pizza makers at Domino’s, can take hard-heard truths and turn them around into positive marketing…and better pizza!

Facing 2012 head on by making a few adjustments to keep up with these restaurant trends is a great new year’s resolution for any restaurant, whether you are a casual family diner, formal fine dining restaurant, or small cafe.

Your friends at East Coast Chair & Barstool wish you a very happy new year!

This is a busy time for families and friends to meet up at a local bar or restaurant to reconnect over the holiday season and at the turn of the new year. If you are a newer bar or restaurant or have experienced a lot of growth this year, it might be a little overwhelming to manage all these reservations or impromptu gatherings in your establishment. So, we are here to help! I’ve put together a list of tips to help your bar or restaurant survive (and succeed) this holiday season.

1. Review your menu. Do you have holiday favorites, like spiced apple cider, peppermint milkshakes, or sugar cookies available?  It doesn’t take much for even the smallest restaurant or cafe to add some special treats to their holiday menus this season.  If you are hosting many sit-down dinners, do you have turkey, ham, and pork & sauerkraut meals with all the trimmings listed?  You may suggest family-style dining to your larger parties and try something new that could be very pleasing to your guests!   It’s also a great time of year to test market some new ideas or try out some new seasonal customs.  For example, you could try a ‘decorate your own’ gingerbread cookie for the kiddies, ‘top your own’ hot cocoa (think flavored whipped cream, holiday-shaped marshmallows, or shots of holiday flavors),  ‘create your own’ cocktail, or just add in some new products or promotions you’ve been wanting to try.  Maybe you want to introduce a new dessert buffet or try new mixed drink concoctions. The possibilities are endless, and if it’s popular and well received, you could find a way to work it into your everyday menu.  You may want to add just a small holiday menu, dress up some of your regular menu items in a new way to fit the holiday season, or create a holiday option in each category on your menu (beverage, appetizer, meal, dessert).  Any way your chef, brew master, or caterer addresses the holidays this season, your customers will be thrilled!  Make sure any changes or additions you make fit your bar or restaurant theme and coordinate well with your entire menu’s cuisine (for example, French restaurants could introduce a cranberry crepe or drinking establishments could sample an adult eggnog beverage).  Don’t forget: Be sure to add any new ingredients or required kitchen equipment to your regular purchase orders.

2. Check your staff schedules. With large parties needing extra attention and more people in general coming and going from your establishment, you will need to bump up your salary budget this time of year.  Make sure you are fully staffed and ready to give your patrons the joyous holiday get-together they are anticipating.  We know that end-of-year spending might be tight, but cutting staff at your busiest time of year could prove very detrimental to service and quality of your customers’ experiences.  In addition, take advantage of the prelude to the busy season to re-train or remind your staff on best service practices, speedy kitchen and delivery times, quick and clean bus habits, and overall quality standards.  There’s never a good time to make a blunder at your bar or restaurant, but during the holiday season, you want to make sure everyone and everything is running smoothly. This is especially important if you are introducing new menu items or expect your bar staff to learn how to make new drinks or properly serve in new glassware.

3. Define the space. If you are not used to hosting large parties, you may need to look at your tables and chairs and reconfigure your space in order to keep larger parties all seated together.  Can your tables push together?  Do you need to add extra tables?  Would it be better to place parties in certain rooms or areas and keep the smaller parties in a different section?  Should you swap out your bulky restaurant chairs with more sleek backless barstools to help more people fit around the room?  Large parties will need to feel like they are the only ones in the joint and be able to carry on conversations from end of the table to the other.  Being prepared for a large group of people at your bar or restaurant is your best defense this holiday season. (If you need help with future bar or restaurant furniture needs to help define your space, we can help!  Let East Coast Chair & Barstool show you tables, chairs, and barstools that will eliminate your worry.)

4. Re-design the take-out process. Whether it’s baked goods, holiday party catering, or extra 6-packs of beer, your customers may be demanding more take-out service this holiday season.  Is your bar or restaurant prepared?  Is there a special wait line for take-out orders only?  Do you offer carry-out parking/delivery?  Are the orders being marked accurately, and do you offer in-house order tracking on an order board or customer tracking digitally?  Are your prep cooks ready to handle the bulk of orders and getting enough lead time?  Working out the details for a smooth take-out process now could save you, your staff, and your customers a lot of grief.

5. Address extended wait times. It’s busy.  Your customers are told it might be an hour or longer before they can be seated.  Depending on your establishment and the party, they might have young children with them.  What do they do?  Is there a special room for guests to wait?  Can you hand out holiday-themed coloring books in advance to any kids?  Do you have a bar and appetizer area, so they can get started nibbling?  What about music/TV/other entertainment?  Will a long line that’s visible deter others from stopping?  Will waiting guests get in the way of your wait staff?  Do you have enough seating for waiting guests, too?  Considering how you might address this in advance will be a great help to you when you have a crowd waiting.

6. Set the mood. Decorations. Music. Party gear.  It doesn’t take a huge budget to make a large impact.  Worried you’re crossing a politically incorrect line?  Stay simple and just add a little oomph to dress it up for the season.  If you are doing a New Year’s Eve special event, make sure you have champagne goblets (glass or disposable) on hand for a toast and some kind of party hat, noise maker, or favor for your party-goers.  You want to make your bar or restaurant feel festive, so people have a good time and remember you when they’re looking for a place to eat or drink the whole rest of the year.

7. Announce any special holiday hours. Closing for the holidays?  Or offering extending hours?  Make sure people know!  Post signs on every door, add your new hours to your Web site, let regular customers know via wait staff, and add your holiday schedule to your regular promotions. The one reason why people aren’t at your bar or restaurant this holiday season shouldn’t be because they didn’t know if you were open. And if the only thing someone wants this holiday season is your famous pie, let them know if you are going to be closed so they can pick up a slice ahead of time.

No matter what challenges your bar or restaurant may face from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, remember to stay jolly and show your patrons a merry good time!  Shake off the small stresses and feel honored that your neighbors want to celebrate in your establishment. No matter how big or small you celebrate this season, remember that it’s a special time of year for everyone.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

In memory of Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things, we thought we’d keep the tradition alive in 2011, and put our own spin on a favorite things wish list!  I’ve taken a staff poll and have rounded up some of our most popular items from tables, chairs, and barstools.

Looking for some year-end spending opportunities?  We think you’ll love our favorite things:

1.
One of our staff loves this black with gold dot stacking chair so much she owns one!  Great for banquet centers, social club halls, meeting facilities, event venues, or other businesses looking for easy-to-stack and store chairs, this banquet stacking chair features a fabric upholstery in black with a gold dot and is designed with a solid gold frame of 16 gauge steel.  With an extra brace on the front, this chair is sturdy and durable.  It ships in 1-2 days of ordering and comes with a limited lifetime warranty on its frame.

On sale now, order your selection of these stacking chairs for just $21.99/each plus shipping.
Item # TCB-W60126-XY-017BLK

2.
This mahogany wooden ladder back bar stool tops the favorite things list of another one of our staff members.  Besides the owners, this staffer is our most veteran staff and has the greatest product knowledge of anyone.  The timeless style of this class wooden with ladder back bar stool includes a double support bar structure, a foot rest with kick plate, durable nylon floor glides, and a 7-year limited commercial warranty.

This bar stool will add some class to any bar or restaurant!  Order your shipment today at the low sale price of $59.99/each plus shipping.
Item # TCB-WB101-MAH

3.
Several of our staff voted for our new Steel City Collection.  While our East Coasters have added the tall-backed steel chairs and bar stools to their kitchens and can visualize them in their home’s man caves, our business customer base have also fallen in love with the Steel City.  To read more about our Steel City Collection, read our previous blog entry.

With a variety of chairs and bar stool options available, find the right item for you!

4.
Who doesn’t love a picnic?  When I see our line of outdoor commercial picnic tables, I think about all the fun times I had while growing up, of gathering around a table with my girlfriends at our local amusement park, sharing Potato Patch fries or Dippin’ Dots.  Give your outdoor park, school yard, ball field, or outdoor beer garden guests the same kind of warm, fuzzy feeling and memories of a lifetime by adding this park table to your casual outdoor dining space!  Not only is it heavy-duty and weather resistant, it is even graffiti proof! (Now you can’t beat that!)

We have coordinating outdoor trash receptacles, benches, and an entire line of outdoor commercial umbrellas for your entire outdoor area!

This model comes in several colors and is on sale for $629.99/each plus shipping today.
Item # TCB-LC-T46RO

5.
Looking for a cafe table top?  One of our East Coasters likes our resin table tops.  They come in cherry, natural, walnut, and her favorite, mahogany finishes.  Available in many different sizes, in both square or round, they feature a waterfall edge and are extra thick, proving durable in a commercial setting.

A 30″ round mahogany resin table top costs $61.99 plus shipping.
Item # TCB-W-RS30R-MAH

In an attempt to be humorous…or honest...when asked what his favorite product was, one of our owners said, “the one that sells!”  Who says you can’t give your customers a special gift for the new year?  Give your restaurant, bar, or other business a mini-makeover with one of our favorite things!  You’ll be happy, your customers will be happy, and our owner will be happy, too!

Whether it’s tables, chairs, barstools, or something different…we wish you a season surrounded by all your favorite things.

When you are from Pittsburgh, you are proud of it.  You root for the Steelers, you eat sandwiches with slaw, and you actually know the names of the three rivers.  Located an hour north of the city of bridges, we are proud to be from western Pennsylvania.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new Steel City Collection!  This line of metal restaurant chairs and bar stools offers a lot of variety for your unique decor and can fit a classic, more traditional atmosphere or a trendy, contemporary design.  By adding wood elements to the metal frames, we’ve meshed the warmth of wood with the sturdiness of steel.  Available in either silver or black steel frames, give your bar or restaurant a more customized look by choosing color of wood back, type of seat (vinyl or wood), and color of seat.  This Steel City Collection is sure to please!

Driving in Pennsylvania, there are a lot of businesses that give the steel city a tribute in their name.  From Steel City Bars & Grills to Steel City Saloons, it’s clear to see bar and restaurant owners are proud of their city’s roots.  But a quick online search will prove that the love of Pittsburgh spreads all across the United States with establishments carrying on the steel city theme in places like Tallahassee and Los Angeles.  So what is it about this great city?

Whether it’s the Penguins or the Primanti Brothers, the steel city has a lot of fame and a lot of fans!

We hope you become a fan of our newest Steel City Collection metal restaurant chairs and bar stools, too.  The pieces offer a versatility that will look great in a sports bar or a family diner, in a fitness club’s cafe area or a corner pub.  You don’t have to be a steel city fan to like these trendy pieces of restaurant and bar furniture.  We ship to all 48 continental states.  But be forewarned: many of our friendly sales consultants wear black and gold, so you may want to skip the football chat if you root for anyone but our beloved Steelers.

We would be happy to talk more to you about our great Steel City Collection! Mention this blog entry and receive 5% off your order of $1,000+ in our Steel City line.  Then sit back and enjoy your new metal restaurant chairs or bar stools for years to come!