Depending on your location and the nature of your restaurant, the summer months will likely form part of the busiest time of the year for your business. As the nights get lighter, the summer holidays kick in and holidaymakers spend time exploring nooks and crannies of our great nation, restaurant bookings naturally pick up, with consumers willing to spend a little more on food as they spend time with friends and family. But delivering a first-class service in the summer can be tough; you’ll likely have more bookings than usual, have to reinvent your menu for the warmer months, and you may even be struggling to hold onto your staff.
Below, we’ve put together some of our top tips for restauranteurs aiming to deliver a five-star service this summer. Read on and you’ll soon be waking up to rave reviews on Trip Advisor…
Add limited-time dishes to the menu
It wouldn’t be right to open your doors for the summer without introducing some limited-time dishes to the menu. Whether we’re blessed with warm weather or not, it pays to mix up your menu and give diners something a little bit different, especially if you rely on locals to keep your tills ringing. Ricotta and tomato tarts, for example, are light and tasty – perfect for the summer season, whilst sliders and paellas, burgers, and barbecued food always do well.
Estimate demand and staff accordingly
Estimate how busy you expect to be during the summer months, taking into account school holidays, upcoming events, and advice from your tourism board. The chances are that at least some of your regular staffers will be taking time off to spend the summer with family, so work with a chef agency to find temporary or permanent staff to add to your roster and help you cope with demand. If you’re short-staffed, you’ll struggle to deliver a five-star service.
Introduce new seating areas for the summer
It’s not just staff you need to think about – it’s tables and chairs. If you’re expecting an influx of diners during busy summer evenings, consider introducing new outdoor seating areas to make the most of your space and increase your covers. You don’t need to spend a fortune, either – temporary outdoor seating areas can be created using wooden tables and chairs; just add a table cloth and some menus, and you’ll be good to go. A super easy way to meet demand and ensure your guests can soak up the sun; but remember to staff accordingly!
Make sure your drinks menu stands up
Finally, remember your drinks menu and introduce cocktails and craft beers to get people excited about your restaurant. You can’t go wrong with a cucumber and mint lemonade or a strawberry and rhubarb iced tea. Add some vodka and you can charge a premium, as diners are happy to pay a little extra for something special. Experiment with drinks and create your own signature range for the summer months, which you can roll out year after year!
Don’t let the summer pass you by – use it as an opportunity to go above and beyond to score some new five-star reviews, and you’ll find diners who’ll come back time and time again.
