Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - banner - both - 11.20

Banner Ad - 3 - OE - Operator - supersized

Campbells Masterbrand SnackCore Snyders Pieces - both - skyscraper - 02.26

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Family Recipes - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - banner - both - 01.20

Simplot Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - banner - both - 08.20

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

Sugar Food Traina California Dried Fruits - banner - OE - 10.19

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - skyscraper - both - 02.23

Mini Cinnamon Swirl French Toast - banner - both - 09.23

Performance Dairy Craveable Flavor and Time Savings - banner - both - 04.24

Seafood is Better - skyscraper - both - 05.21

Campbells Culinary Reserve Jerk Chicken - both - banner - 02.26

Nestle Stouffer White Mac and Cheese - banner - both - 08.18

Ambrosia Chocolate - banner - both - 03.23

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - banner - both - 04.19

Sugar Foods ecoStick Less Waste - banner - both - 10.16

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - skyscraper - both - 02.18

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocado - banner - both - 01.20

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Chef-mate We Can Better - skyscraper - both - 06.23

Certified Cage-Free Egg Bites - Portable, Protein-Packed Breakfast - banner - both - 09.23

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt skyscraper - both - 04.23

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - banner - both - 04.18

Entree Redi Wild Alaska Pollock - skyscraper - both - 08.25

Simply Potatoes Low Sodium Mashed Potatoes - skyscraper - both - 09.23

Catch of the Season - skyscraper - both - 07.22

Basic American Crispy Craveable Operator banner ad - 12.17

Deliver Flavor and Value with Galbani Mozzarella - skyscraper - both - 07.22

Cooper Shreds Have Now Arrived - banner - 02.24

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Menu Ideas - banner - both - 05.20

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Savor Imports - banner - both - 06.24

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Performance Dairy Clarified Butter - banner - both - 04.24

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - banner - both - 02.23

Simplot GoodGrains - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Nestle Stouffers White Cheddar Mac and Cheese - skyscraper - both - 08.18

Seafood is Better - banner - both - 05.21

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

Campbells Culinary Reserve Thai Curry - both - banner - 02.26

Simplot RoastWorks - banner - both - 01.20

Check Out the Major Products Product Guide - skyscraper - OE - 03.22

Jennie-O No Basic Burger Here - banner - both - 03.20

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets skyscraper - both - 05.18

Banner Ad - 4 - PICs - Operator - supersized

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Full Case of Bacon No Grease - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Nestle Minors Slow-Simmered Stock - Free Sample - banner - both - 02.20

Basic American Shred Competition operator banner ad - 12.17

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Single-Serve Packets - banner - both - 09.21

Honest Earth - Better Potatoes for a Better World - skyscraper - both - 05.23

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - banner - both - 02.18

Stacked for Success - OE - skyscraper - 05.01-08.31.26

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocados - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Nestle Stouffer's Comfort Foods Beyond Compare - video - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Wild Alaska Salmon Burger - skyscraper - both - 04.25

Sugar Foods Barista Blend - skyscraper - both - 04.17

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - banner - both - 09.24

General Mills - Gluten Free Options - banner - both - 03.18

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Less Time Less Grease Less Mess - banner - both - 02.20

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Products - Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - banner - both - 02.20

Campbells Culinary Reserve Thai Curry - both - skyscraper - 02.26

Campbells Masterbrand SnackCore Crackers - both - skyscraper - 02.26

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Don't Labor Over Great Chicken - banner - both - 02.20

Wild Alaska Burgers - banner - both - 04.25

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Campbells Culinary Reserve Jerk Chicken - both - skyscraper - 02.26

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - banner - both - 11.19

Nestle Minors Slow Simmered Stock - Free Sample - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner with chef - both - 04.23

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - skyscraper - both - 07.18

Ready to Eat Frozen Vegetables - banner - both - 03.23

A Family of Fine Cheeses - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Campbells Masterbrand SnackCore Chips and Pretzels - 2 - both - skyscraper - 02.26

Find Fresh Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - banner - both - 04.18

Wild Alaska Keta Salmon - skyscraper - both - 08.25

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - banner - both - 07.18

Entree Redi Wild Alaska Pollock - banner - both - 08.25

Tyson Cortona Pepperoni - skyscraper OE 1.23

La Ranchera Birria Base - both - 09.24

Simplot - Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - banner - both - 03.19

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - skyscraper - both - 11.22

Banner Ad - 1 - MM - Recipes - Operator - supersized

Simplot Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - banner - both - 08.20

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - banner - both - 07.21

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Cook - Operator

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - both - skyscraper - 04.20

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Ease Your Operator's Kitchen - banner - both - 02.20

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Simplot - Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - banner - both - 04.20

As the days grow warmer, people enjoy getting outside more, especially at mealtime. Outdoor dining, in fact, was one way many restaurants survived during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Association&rsquo;s <a href="https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/research-reports/state-of-the-industry/" target="_blank">2023 State of the Industry Report</a>, anywhere from a quarter to a third of operators in all six major segments say they offered outdoor seating for the first time during the pandemic. Across each of the six major segments, more than 9 in 10 operators that currently have outdoor seating say they plan to continue offering it in the future. And nearly 7 in 10 customers say they like having an outdoor dining option when they eat out. Using outdoor space for dining expands the number of customers you can serve, appealing to both those still concerned about the safety of dining indoors and those who just like to eat outdoors in pleasant weather. Here are 10 tips for setting up successful outdoor dining. 1. Get the proper permits. A huge number of municipalities issued temporary permitting processes for outdoor dining areas during the pandemic. Many of those are expiring, and while most cities are making the rules permanent, some have proposed new ordinances that would make it more difficult and expensive to get permits for those spaces when COVID-19-era rules expire.
Required permits may include those for:
<ul>
<li>outdoor dining location (private property, sidewalk, street, etc.)</li>
<li>seating capacity and accessibility</li>
<li>construction details (setbacks, sightlines, materials, dimensions, access to utilities (electricity for lighting/heating, plumbing, etc.)</li>
<li>off-premises, or special-use liquor license</li>
<li>sound systems/noise ordinances</li>
<li>four-legged friends</li>
</ul>
2. Plan for all types of weather.&nbsp;As much as customers enjoy dining outside, few look forward to getting drenched in a cloudburst, baked under a hot sun, or chilled on a cold evening.
<ul>
<li>Equip your patio with heaters.</li>
<li>Use umbrellas, awnings, gazebos, sails, or tents to provide shade and rain protection.</li>
<li>Provide fans, either overhead (where permitted), along a roofline, or on one side to cool guests and maximize airflow.</li>
<li>Develop an evacuation plan and drill employees in case of dangerous weather conditions</li>
</ul>
3. Invest in durable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture and equipment.&nbsp;Whatever you purchase should be able to withstand the elements, be easy to clean and wipe dry after a rainstorm, and be lightweight enough to move easily. Consider self-leveling <a href="https://flattech.com/us/" target="_blank">technology</a> for tables to adapt to uneven outdoor ground surfaces. Keep your seating arrangements and furniture flexible to accommodate different size parties. Use mobile planter boxes to create visual interest, establish perimeters and provide more privacy. Consider a hostess stand if you don&rsquo;t want guests to go into the restaurant to arrange sitting in the outdoor space. A bussing station with POS terminal can speed service. And a portable bar can provide faster beverage service. 4. Control pests. Follow the same strategies you use indoors, but be extra vigilant. Don&rsquo;t forget to:
<ul>
<li>clean thoroughly</li>
<li>cover and contain garbage</li>
<li>store and cover foods properly</li>
<li>keep landscaping well maintained</li>
<li>eliminate standing water</li>
<li>install outdoor fans</li>
<li>set up bug zappers out of customers&rsquo; way</li>
<li>arrange herbal centerpieces with natural bug repellants (basil, mint, thyme, and rosemary) for tables and planter boxes around the perimeter to keep pests away</li>
<li>burn citronella candles on tables and torches around the dining area</li>
</ul>
5. Add amenities&nbsp;such as trash receptacles and hand sanitizing stations to the space. 6. Design an effective layout. Seating arrangements should not only provide comfortable accommodations for guests, visual appeal, and optimal occupancy, but also allow for smooth workflow. Making it as easy for staff to navigate as it is comfortable for patrons will make for a better experience for all. 7. Use technology to help speed service. With servers that much farther away from the kitchen, any ways you can incorporate technology&mdash;handheld order entry and transaction devices, tablets or smart phones, QR codes, payment by digital wallet, etc.&mdash;will help staff provide better, more expedient service. 8. Set the mood with lighting. String lights are casual, fun and festive; tabletop candles or battery lamps are romantic and intimate; spot lighting can accentuate service areas such as the bar, hostess station, or door to interior restrooms. Customers will need enough light to read the menu. 9. Don&rsquo;t disturb the neighbors. Being a good neighbor is important to your business. Even if amplified sound systems are permitted, keep the volume down, and keep noise to a minimum with planters and variable surfaces within the space. 10. Keep the outdoors out. With staff and guests constantly going in and out of your restaurant and outdoor dining area, it&rsquo;s potentially easy for the elements and pests to make their way inside. Consider self-closing door hardware, two-way swing doors, or an air curtain over the door leading to your patio, sidewalk, or rooftop dining to keep the great outdoors where it belongs.
Source: <a href="https://restaurant.org/education-and-resources/resource-library/10-tips-to-make-outdoor-dining-pleasant-and-profitable/" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association</a>

As summer approaches, you can increase your sales by creating a positive alfresco dining experience.

10 Tips to Make Outdoor Dining Pleasant and Profitable

Archives

Safety & Sanitation

10 Tips to Make Outdoor Dining Pleasant and Profitable