Keep Outdoor Business Sales Hot in the Winter: Here's How

1. Provide Some Sort of Overhead Coverage

First and foremost, it's essential to have some sort of overhead coverage to protect those dining outdoors from weather such as rain. It's important to keep them dry and will prevent their food from being ruined. Luckily, there are a few options that you can go with to provide this type of coverage.

If your budget allows, you can build a full roof to cover the entire dining patio. Using materials that match the roof of the rest of your building will help it withstand rain, wind, ice, and snow. However, you can also opt for a fabric shade if you're looking for something more budget-friendly.

Another option is to use a retractable awning, which would allow you to have coverage from the weather only when you need it. This way, if you know there's rain in the forecast, you can open the awning before the rain begins, ensuring all of your patrons are protected.

2. Consider Installing Protective Sides

For businesses located in places that are prone to nasty weather, it would be wise to think beyond some sort of roofing. Protective siding can also be useful, blocking patrons and staff from the wind and potential flying debris. You certainly don't want anyone getting injured while they're dining with you.

3. Opt for Weatherproof Materials

When choosing the furniture that will go in your outdoor dining area, you'll want to go with something that will withstand the test of time and won't be likely to get damaged by the elements. Rain, wind, and snow can be hard on furniture, so you don't want tables and chairs that will need to be replaced after only a short period of time.

Look for furniture made from weatherproof materials. For instance, you may want to avoid metal furniture that could rust after being left out in the rain. Besides furniture, it's important to consider the flooring you use on your outdoor patio. Concrete is a great option because it'll be low-maintenance and will last a long time. Investing in better materials now is going to save you money in the long run.

4. Have a Place to Store Furniture

If you want to protect your furniture from the harsh weather (and from theft), it would be smart to have a place where you can store items when not in use. For example, you could store chairs or cushions to make sure they don't get damaged, blown away, or stolen. If possible, designate a storage space for all of your outdoor items that you don't want to leave outside. You may even opt to purchase a storage shed if you have space, giving you a secure location to stash everything when your business is closed.

5. Make Sure Furniture is Secure

If you aren't able to clear your patio and put furniture away before the bad weather rolls through, you'll need to make sure it's secure. It's a huge liability if your tables or chairs are blowing around in windy weather. And you probably don't want them to get damaged either.

Consider purchasing more permanent fixtures like hardwood tables and chairs or making concrete benches. You won't have to worry about them moving around. Plus, you can have cushions to make these hard seats more comfortable. Wrought iron furniture is another great option that isn't likely to budge on those windy days.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Dining Area Open in the Winter

If it snows in your area, you need to think beyond just those rainy days and figure out what you'll do when it snows. While you may think that people won't be likely to dine outside when the weather is cold, some people still enjoy being out in the fresh air. So, why not accommodate them?

There are a few ways you can make your outdoor dining area suitable for use during the winter months. Here's what you can do so everyone stays warm and enjoys their experience as the snow falls:

Provide Heating

The most important factor in keeping your outdoor seating open during the winter is making sure your patrons are nice and toasty. If people are freezing while they're eating their meal, it's not going to be a pleasant experience. One option is to have a built-in fireplace that you can turn on. Alternatively, you can use infrared outdoor heaters to provide warmth, as they're more budget-friendly than running gas heaters. A fire pit is also a nice option that lends to the ambiance.

Offer Blankets

The most important factor in keeping your outdoor seating open during the winter is making sure your patrons are nice and toasty. If people are freezing while they're eating their meal, it's not going to be a pleasant experience. One option is to have a built-in fireplace that you can turn on. Alternatively, you can use infrared outdoor heaters to provide warmth, as they're more budget-friendly than running gas heaters. A fire pit is also a nice option that lends to the ambiance.

Add Warm Drinks to the Menu

It's always smart to add a few seasonal items to your menu. For example, when it's cold, a warm drink really hits the spot. Think about adding coffee, hot chocolate, or other warm beverages to your menu if you haven't already. This way, people can warm up with a good drink before or after their meal. Appetizers and main dishes that are served warm are also helpful.

Create Pods for an Intimate Experience

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and restaurants created pods that allowed parties to dine together while being blocked off from other patrons. What was started as a way to keep people safe is actually a genius way to stay warm during the winter. Since these pods are enclosed, it keeps the cold air out and the heat in so guests stay toasty.

Just remember that your outdoor dining area doesn't have to close in the winter. Sometimes the most magical thing you can do is enjoy a meal and watch the snow falling around you. And what better way to experience that than being outside in the middle of it all?

Outdoor Heating and Fire Safety

While we're on the topic of keeping guests warm during the winter weather, it's crucial that we address some concerns that may arise around heating. The use of a fireplace or an infrared heater can be dangerous, so it's important to take proper precautions so no one gets injured.

First, if you're using a fireplace or a fire pit to provide warmth for your outdoor dining area, make sure no one is seated too close to the flames. You can purchase screens to place in front of the fireplace or over the fire pit to prevent anyone (especially children) from getting burned.

With electric heaters, you need to remember that they can cause nearby items to catch on fire. Don't place them too close to anything flammable, such as a fabric tablecloth or cushions. It's preferable to keep heaters in a corner, away from guests so they don't come into close contact them. You may even want to remind guests not to touch the heaters, as they can sometimes be hot.