By 2020, restaurant architecture & design will embody high-tech advancement with low-tech hospitality. This idea may be appealing to consumers who are hungry for the modern world, like cashless payment, but demand the old-fashioned human touch. These lines will more likely than not blur faster with quick-service chains adopting a more upscale décor, with the full-service or fast-casual brands adopting tools to speed up service.
Knowing exactly when to roll out a new restaurant design can be very tricky. A challenge of the redesign is an effort to stay relevant to the existing customers, as well as to give an updated and modern look to gain the attention of new fans.
And while it’s tempting to implement a redesign to spice up your image, step back to re-evaluate the business, demographics and competition. Where you were five years ago may not be where you are now, or where you want to be in five years. The goal is to be on trend, not trendy.
Being on trend with décor is great…until the trend is over. You might be left showing your age. Instead, rather than focusing on the actual trend, focus the design around the message that your brand stands for. The emphasis on consistency across the country appears to be fading. Restaurant chains from California to Connecticut have already begun to reflect their locales more than ever.
Walls will have more local art or photography, regional architecture will be showcased as more repurposing of existing spaces, like warehouses or fire stations, will be used as eating establishments.
Customers already have a growing number of electronic gadgets, and the restaurant industry has already begun to shift into the tech-savvy world. Expect to see more electronic outlets, USB charging stations and other amenities at tabletop heights, and in pubs at that bar tops.
On the flipside, many restaurants are taking an “unplugged” idea to heart. You may find yourself offering special “electronic-free” zoned seating away from the big screens and table computers. In the near future, the option for seats away from the technology might become the luxury where the tables near power and Wi-Fi are today. Who can tell for sure?
For over 50 years, JI Bases has been involved in new restaurant start-ups and redesigns. We have the answers for making sure that your tables are your strongest assets. Underneath that décor, food, and service wobbly tables can make it all worthless.
The customer’s experience with solid tables can be flawless by using cast iron top plates that will never bend or flex. Call JI Bases today at (888) 792-2275 for the SOLID foundation you need.
