If you own or manage a restaurant, banquet hall, or event space, commercial restaurant tables are an important part of your business. While the food and drink on your menu might be what draws in customers, tables (and benches) will keep them around long enough to order another round and enjoy their meal. If you’re in the market for new tables, here are some things to consider when making your purchase.
- SIZE
The first thing you’ll need to decide is what size tables you need. Restaurant booths with attached table tops offer a lot of flexibility, as they can be configured in several different ways. A standard commercial restaurant table measures 72” wide by 30” deep, and will seat 4 people comfortably. If you need more seating, remove the tabletop and it will fit 6 – 8 people comfortably (or 9 if they’re on very good terms). Many restaurants choose to purchase tables that are slightly larger; these 84-inch by 30-inch tables will seat 6 – 8 comfortably, or up to 10 with a little less leg room.
- STYLE & CONSTRUCTION
Once you’ve determined your table size, you’ll need to decide on a style. Two of the most common are laminate and solid surface. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it will be up to your personal preference which one you choose. Solid surface tables can offer a more classic look, but are often more expensive than laminate. Laminate is prone to scratching, but the scratches can usually be buffed out fairly easily; this is especially important for kitchens or other areas where heavy use will be expected.
- TABLE TOP
The top of the table is perhaps the most important part, as it will be the surface on which all food and drink are served. For this reason, it’s important to find a table with a sturdy construction. Laminate tops will not scratch if they’re cut, but if you were to drop your knife while cutting across the top of a solid surface table, you can expect to see some damage. The same thing goes for solid surface tops, which are more prone to scratching than laminate. While this may not be an issue in most cases, it could be at a restaurant that serves sandwiches. If you have a sandwich shop, it’s critical that your tables are not damaged by stray knives or other sharp objects.
- SEATING CAPACITY
The next thing to consider is seating capacity. Like most things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to having larger seating capacity. Having more space may make the place look more spacious and elegant; on the other hand, it will require more chairs to hold all of your guests, which could add up quickly. There’s also the issue of having enough room for all customers; many restaurants find that they need to order extra tables so they can be used as overflow seating when regular tables are full. If you need more seating capacity, consider purchasing tables with a removable tabletop. This will allow you to remove the top when you need the extra seating, and will leave a standard table top when additional chairs are not needed.
Restaurant tables are a very important part of a restaurant’s decor, and you should be sure that the table you purchase is built to last. While the cost of tables may seem high at first glance, keep in mind that restaurants will most likely be using them for years, so it’s best to get quality.