This is a 2-part article in choosing the right restaurant chair for your food business. View Part 1 here.

Are you already daydreaming of the elegant or even playful restaurant chairs that will soon perk up your space? Or worse, are you rushing your furniture purchase just to get it out of the way? It’s better to take cautious preparation now than suffer the dreaded buyer’s remorse.

Let’s take a step back and talk if the dollars on that price quote is within the right budget, worth the money and ultimately will be turned into a business investment. Foodservice is already a crazy maze, better make sure your furniture is the least of your problems.

Know Your Material’s Worth

Domestic furniture is priced at shocking rates, even more so commercial and hospitality furniture. That’s because these are built to withstand a higher level of use and even abuse. These are manufactured with materials are designed to be durable for several usages in a long-time with the most common materials including wood, metal, plastic, & fabric.

If you are looking for a versatile piece, your best bet are plastic chairs. These are trustworthy pieces, come rain or shine. Not to mention, care and maintenance are easy with a piece of cloth and a cleaning solution. You can always trust an Air or an Alice chair to be ready for unexpected spills and stains. This is perfect for mid-range priced menus and cafes serving quick meals.

Metal materials are also the go-to product for most restaurateurs. You can depend on a metal-framed chair for durability and boost your interiors of sophistication given its mid-price point. The maintenance is manageable and ever so often may require a quick repainting.

Fabrics are mostly used combined with wood materials as a cushion or upholstered booth seating. While the price is still manageable compared to wood, consider the maintenance activities you have to commit to for this type of furniture. The material is more vulnerable to cuts and dirt which make cleaning costly and repetitive. Which is why these are recommended for lounges and hotels, like Hunter Tub Chair or Sterling Ottoman. Here’s a basic cleaning tutorial for you.

Oak, Timber, and Beechwood are durable materials for wood furniture. This is also the most expensive among the material options. These pieces complete an ultimate feast providing that added flair and elegance for family restaurants and fining dining spaces. If given proper care, these pieces can last for a long time. You can even extend its furniture life by setting detailed maintenance for basic repairs and cleaning. You can always trust a Hunter high back chair or an Evo to cradle your customer while they devour your scrumptious meals.

Play With Your Space

Go beyond just knowing the size of your space in considering your restaurant chair. Remember that chair pieces will look and feel different from a showroom to your actual space. Make sure that your chairs are consistent with your restaurant menu and purpose.

Don’t be afraid to mix your chair selections. Stools are advisable for small spaces, while you can also play with low-back chairs for easy storage under tables which gives your employees and your customers more space to move around.

Consider the type of customers that will soon flock your newly designed bistro. This is an opportunity to expand and add seating for renovations. While for new businesses, try going around the restaurants near you and study the foot traffic and their furniture set up. This can give you an idea of what kind of situation your furniture will endure.

Bear in mind that your furniture and space should be carefully deliberated for safety measures. Tight spaces mixed with busy food service on weekends is an accident waiting to happen.

Be Meticulous and Realistic with Your Budget

Budget is always the item regarded with a high-priority for any massive purchases. A common mistake that restaurateurs encounter & leave their mouths hanging is the total tag going beyond their set budget. More often, freight costs are forgotten and not considered which can bulk up the total price even more. While we cannot deny that this is indeed an expensive buy, its best to draw up a realistic budget that’s based on your ability to shell out, and potential return.

While there are many factors to consider for your budget, ultimately it boils down to its longevity. Let’s say an average lifespan of a chair is 3 years, that means that your chair will be used for 1,095 business days if you operate daily. A simple division will show you that the total tag does not look so bad after all.

While many factors come into play when it comes to pricing (importation, warranty even branding and manufacturer) that add value to your purchase, best to view a realistic outlook for your furniture’s lifespan to set the right budget. This means that you also look into the factors that curtail its value. Consider the regular foot traffic and usage your furniture will endure from various customers that come through your door. Invest in wood furniture for highly populated cafes and bistros. You can opt for stackable selections for limited spaces a

Best takeaway is to spend ample time before you say to a deal. Never be afraid to go back and forth and ask for quotations. Remember that your restaurant chair is one of your business assets. You want to make sure they will work for you and it requires a careful selection process.

Now you’re all set up, visit any of our showrooms or contact the JMH furniture consultants for your new furniture.