Top Reasons Restaurant Customers Prefer Booths Over Tables
Do you prefer booth or table? When hungry customers enter a restaurant, one of the first questions that the host or hostess will ask them is whether they prefer a table or a booth. If a booth is available, customers are more often to choose a both over a table.
Do you prefer booth or table?
When hungry customers enter a restaurant, one of the first questions that the host or hostess will ask them is whether they prefer a table or a booth. If a booth is available, customers are more often to choose a both over a table. Many people will wait for one to become available if they are all occupied, even though they could sit immediately at a table. Those customers that prefer to sit at booths have their reasons and these reasons may vary from customer to customer.
Understanding the thinking behind why restaurant customers love to sit in booths is an important aspect of furnishing a restaurant. Although booths are often more expensive than tables and seats of similar quality are, they are often necessary to satisfy as many customers as possible. Furthermore, by understanding the reasons why restaurant customers love booths and by being familiar with different features of restaurant booths, restaurateurs can select the booths that are most likely to please their customers.
Why Do Many Restaurant Customers Prefer Booths?
Restaurants in general should have a mix of seating available for its customers. Some people will prefer booths and others will prefer tables, couches or whatever interesting mix of seating they have decided to put together. The ability to satisfy a diverse crowd of regular customers often depends on this mix.
When it comes to purchasing booths, it helps to understand the reasons why some customers prefer booths to tables with chairs. Knowing how customers think and their taste preferences is critical to the success of any business. Analyzing some data or surveying customers may help a restaurant realize why some people would rather sit in booths vs. a table, and helps restaurateurs to satisfy their customers by furnishing the right kinds of booths.
1. Privacy
Whether eating at a tablecloth establishment or at a local hole in the wall, many diners enjoy having a measure of privacy while they eat. A booth that is situated against a wall helps to provide this privacy by blocking off one side of the table and benches. A booth with high-back benches provides extra privacy, keeping most other diners at an establishment from seeing the party seated in the booth. The high backs also help to block sound, keeping conversations confined to the booth and blocking the sounds of other diners conversing and using utensils from entering the booth. Furthermore, the added privacy of a booth makes a more secure spot for keeping purses and jackets.
2. Comfort
Booth benches can provide greater comfort for diners than chairs can. Many booth benches have soft, padded seats and backs, whereas chairs are made from either wood or metal that offer less padding. Benches tend to be sturdier than chair seats and backs are, giving diners additional support. This support helps them not to feel their own weight as they eat, resulting in less physical fatigue. Another comfort advantage that booths possess is that each diner has a larger seating area, with a bench providing uninterrupted seating space across its breadth. Diners seated in chairs are limited to the seating space that the chair itself provides.
3. Less Traffic
One of the greatest appeals of a restaurant booth is the limited traffic around the booth. Since many booths are placed against a wall one side and other booths on two more sides, waitstaff and patrons only pass one side of the booth. Traffic tends to move around all four sides of a table with chairs, unless they too are situated against a wall. While they eat, patrons seated at tables with chairs may find themselves dealing with coats or purses of passerby brushing against them or even catching a hip or an elbow. The constant rush of waitstaff can also be an annoyance to customers while they dine. Patrons seated at booths are largely protected from such disturbances, making for a more pleasant dining experience.
4. Coziness
In general, booths tend to offer a cozier feel than tables and chairs do. The open space around chairs makes many restaurantgoers feel exposed, whereas booth benches with high backs offer shelter from restaurant commotion that can distract diners. A group of patrons that is seated in a booth may feel as though they have their own separate space within a restaurant, making for more intimate dining. Booth seating also tends to place patrons closer together, adding another layer of intimacy.
5. More Room
A booth can provide more room for diners to spread out, especially if their party does not fill the booth. Many working professionals that frequent lunchtime places often bring their work with them. These patrons may prefer to be able to lay their coats and bags on a booth bench and spread their papers and electronic devices along the table while still having enough space to eat. The extra space of a booth can also help the members of any dining party relax while they eat, whereas chairs can make them feel cramped, even if there is still space at the table.
Great Booth Features
Once restaurateurs understand the reasons why many patrons prefer booths, they can choose booths with the necessary features to satisfy their customers. Booths have various construction features, booth shapes, and designs. Being familiar with the available options for these features helps restaurateurs choose the booths that are most appropriate to their dining establishments and that are most suitable to their customers.
Construction
Bench height should be at least 36 inches, which brings the bench up to about the shoulder blades for most people, providing enough support for the lower back; The higher the bench, the more private the booth feels
Bench Length. Two-seater bench should be at least 45 inches long, though two people can sit more comfortably on a bench that is 48 inches long. You need to balance the comfort of patrons with the available space in the restaurant
The seat. A bench seat may have springs in it, may be padded, or may just be solid wood or metal. Springs tend to provide support over a longer period than pads do; People also find the extra foam around the springs to be comfortable. Bare metal and wood benches tend to be less expensive
Upholstery. Benches with springs or padding is also upholstered. Vinyl tends to be the upholstery material of choice since it is comfortable and easy to clean. Naugahyde is one of the highest-quality vinyls available for use in a booth. These products can be restored through Vinyl restoration, saving a restaurant a lot of money over time.
Kick Base. The bottom part of the booth, though not all booths feature one. It provides additional support for the bench and helps patrons maintain good seating posture by giving them a place into which they can dig their heels.
Restaurateurs must balance the booth features that they want to make available to their customers with the price of providing these features. Benches with springs and naugahyde upholstery usually cost more than plain wooden benches do, and the extra cost may not be worth it for some dining establishments.
Shape
Booth seating comes in a variety of shapes. Many booths have straight benches, using a wall to create enclosed seating on three sides. These may be single booths, with one bench, or double booths, with a single back that has benches on both sides of it.
One of the best ways to make use of corners in restaurants is by placing round booths there. These feature semicircular benches, adding extra seating to a corner. These booths also enable all of the patrons seated in them to see one another clearly. This can provide larger dining parties with a more intimate feel and a stronger bonding experience.
Design
Booths may have design features that lend the booths aesthetic qualities. Vinyl-upholstered benches may have a certain number of channels along the bench backs. These are panels divided by stitching and a bench back may have three channels, or eight or more. The vinyl can also be one of many colors or feature multiple colors. Wooden booths may have carved details or they may be stained certain tones. These design features may not affect patrons' comfort, but they are important to the dining establishment's decor.
Conclusion
Many restaurant customers prefer to sit in booths instead of in chairs around a table. They love booths because they offer better privacy, more comfort, more protection from traffic, more coziness, and more room than chairs do. For these reasons, many customers are willing to wait for booths in a restaurant to become available, even foregoing open tables with chairs. In some cases, patrons go elsewhere to dine if a booth is not available. It is therefore important for many dining establishments to provide at least a few booths. It is also important that these booths have the kind of features that help satisfy the reasons why many customers love to sit in booths. There are numerous sources from which to buy restaurant booths, including eBay. The buying process can be challenging and often unsuccessful when customers are not sure for what they should be looking. By understanding both their customers love of booths and the booth features that provide all of the aspects of sitting in a booth that customers expect, restaurateurs can successfully shop for the booths that their dining establishments need.
Restoration of booths. Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees offer vinyl booth, chair and other industrial furniture restoration. This service can be crucial in the financial end-game inside of a restaurant business. Contact us today for more information.
Header image courtesy of i5Design.
Top 100 Franchise Opportunities 2016
Color Glo International has once again been awarded a position on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchise opportunities. Read the Press Release below to learn more about Franchise Gator.
Franchise Gator just released their Top 100 Franchises for 2016 and Color Glo is listed among them!
Color Glo International has once again been awarded a position on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchise opportunities. Read the Press Release below to learn more about Franchise Gator.
Press Release
August 19, 2016, Minneapolis, At the core of it, franchising is about risk reduction. You join a franchise because it provides a heightened chance of success as a business owner. The Top 100 has been designed, with the assistance of The Educated Franchisee, to measure the quality of a franchise system over time. Rankings are mostly based on a formula created from various pieces of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that focus on financial stability, growth, transparency, engagement, continuity and sustainability. Hundreds of FDD's were studied this past year in an effort to bring you this ranking.
We also focused on evaluating franchise opportunities that fit the mold of what a typical Franchise Gator visitor seeks. That means taking investment range and industry into account to create what we feel is truly a unique rankings list. So if you are looking for some of the more high ticket, recognizable names in franchising and don't see them, that by no means is a discredit to that franchise system. It simply means they were not part of our evaluation process.
Franchise Gator would like to thank the following people who's insight was invaluable and instrumental in the production of Franchise Gator's Top 100:
- Rick Bisio - The Educated Franchisee
- Eric Stites and Associates - Franchise Business Review
- Thomas Scott - Brand Journalists
To view the Top 100 Franchise Gator Franchises for 2016 click HERE
To learn more about Color Glo international click HERE
About Color Glo International
Color Glo International is the World Leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of Automotive, Aircraft, Marine and Furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries world wide.
Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today.
Questions about owning a Color Glo Franchise?
Color Glo International, “More Than a Business, We Are a Big Family”
Ruben Moodley has expanded 17 Color Glo International franchisees in South Africa, and will soon be participating in our 15th seminar come October 2016 in Minneapolis, MN. Read more about Ruben's amazing Color Glo story.
The Automotive Business
By: Ruben Moodley, Durban, South Africa
My Early Days with Color Glo
The automotive business, in fact anything to do with cars, has always been of interest to me. My first job at the age of 20 was as a BMW car sales person. I received training on how to sell this market leading brand that groomed my sales ability to a level that has served beneficial to my current business growth.
After being with BMW for just two years, I found myself being drawn to the technical aspect of vehicles, in particular the exterior paintwork. I joined a leading distributor for Glazurit Automotive Paints and received an advanced level of technical training that enabled me to offer expertise to the automotive paint refinish industry. I was instrumental in setting up and training new body shops in SA. I later joined SONAX Car Care, another leading German brand that provided me with the expertise on how to provide services, as well as technical expertise to resolve auto paint defects at OEM and after market levels.
My very first and major accomplishment was when I was invited by Volkswagen of SA, to head up a paint rectification process at their manufacturing plant. I serviced them for three years and as a result of my track record, I was also requested to provide services to VW in Germany and Mexico. I also provided services to Opel, Mercedes Benz and BMW as a technical consultant.
I conducted this consultancy service whilst having established the largest detailing business based in Durban.
First Contact With Color Glo.
As my contract came to an end at VW, I came across an advert for Color Glo services. I was blown away by what they had to offer with regards to color restoration and decided to look into this as an add-on to my current detailing business. I immediately secured the rights for a Color Glo franchise for the Durban area.
Ruben facilitating a Color Glo product training.
The Color Glo Journey Begins
Within six months of trading Color Glo, the business turnover started to overwhelm my current detailing business. I then decided to secure additional areas and it was not long thereafter, in fact within nine months that I was appointed as the Area Development Licensor / Master Franchisor for Color Glo in South Africa and since then it has been the greatest journey ever undertaken in my business career.
Impressed, Very Impressed - Having several years of prior experience in the automotive industry, I was blown away with the state of the art technology that CGI – Color Glo International provided. Whilst developing the South African market, I spent a lot of time working with the various Color Glo products. I was particularly impressed with the “Go Green” aspect, in that whilst using water based, environmentally friendly products, the restoration service helped to prevent the unnecessary disposal of certain materials that are not biodegradable. Items such as plastic dashes and consoles used in cars are easily restored. We are especially proud as being the only ISO 9001 certified franchise business in our industry. Being a distinguished member of the International Franchise Association gives both our clients and business partner’s total piece of mind.
Support from Corporate Color Glo – the Smith family of Minneapolis, currently a second going on to a third generation family owned business are passionate in what they do. Their values / ethics / morals is well respected by our entire franchise network and they continue to offer the best and most professional support in a totally un-compromised manner. Four decades of successful business ethics has made our brand a world market leader, as continuously recognized by various leading franchise associations, magazines and media. I am truly grateful for their role in guiding me to my new level of business success.
Ruben doing a shoe repair demonstration
Always inspired - with my willingness to share my passion, knowledge & technical skills, CGI appointed me as an international trainer in 2004. I have since trained several new franchisees in SA & following a certification by CGI, our training facility was the first outside of the USA to conduct international training. Over the past ten years we have had Australia, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Namibia, Nigeria & Netherlands over to SA for training. I have also conducted training at the various international seminars in the USA. I am very passionate about growing the brand & enjoy empowering people with skills to further enhance their careers.
Shoes, Bags and luxury products are just one of Color Glo's wheel-houses.
Our growth - Color Glo has grown in South Africa. We currently have 17 franchisees & will soon be participating in our 15th seminar come October 2016 in Minneapolis, MN. During past seminars, Scott Smith, International Vice President was in attendance and we presented him with an appreciation award for his support & friendship. Scott and the team at CGI corporate have always given us superb service, support, but most importantly the trust that they have opened to both Racheal (my wife / business partner) & I have been respected in an overwhelming manner. This further drives me to go beyond for them, and the brand collectively.
My highlights - with Color Glo these past twelve years apart from the several awards that we have received, was in 2007 when I was presented with the CGI Global Partner Award, but the cherry on the top was the Everett C. Smith Award received last year at the International Seminar, this being the very first time that this award left the USA to an ADL since its inception. I am delighted to share this with the various recipients that have been honored previously.
Color Glo is a way of life for us and we remain passionate to grow the brand, whilst always being committed to lend support to others. Wishing you all a successful future with Your Color Glo Franchise, it has certainly been a great 15 years for us in South Africa.
Thank you to CGI for the opportunity and for your ongoing support. Your values are greatly appreciated.
--Ruben Moodley
Featured Franchisee: Doris Spall
"Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!" -Nicole Sossaman
Doris Spall: Featured Franchisee Colorado.
“Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!” Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!”
Meet Doris Spall
Visit her Facebook page to see more Before & After photos!
Color Glo International, Doris Spall
Or visit our website to contact Doris for a FREE quote!
www.colorglo.com
Featured Color Glo Franchisee: Rod Miller
We scheduled a time that was convenient for me and I spent what I thought was a real bargain to make the problem go away. All around very economical solution and pain free process.
Rod Miller; featured franchisee. Eastern Iowa
Visit his website today to see more Before and After photos, testimonies and more! www.colorgloeasterniowa.com
Or visit his Facebook page: Color Glo of Eastern Iowa
"My Honda Odyssey was in several mechanic shops over a short period of time. A piece of the leather was sliced open by one of the mechanics tools. I hired Rod with Color Glo to repair the damage. The estimate process was quick and easy (all done electronically). We scheduled a time that was convenient for me and I spent what I thought was a real bargain to make the problem go away. All around very economical solution and pain free process."
--Andrea N.
Featured Color Glo Franchisee: Kenny O'Neal
"Kenny O'Neal did an excellent job on my 2014 special edition Camaro. I had 2 serious dings in my dash and passenger seat, and other fading and discoloration. He is an Artist, loves his work, and is a perfectionist.
Kenny O'Neal; featured franchisee. Nashville.
Visit his website today to see how he can make your investments like-new again!
www.colorglonashville.com.
Or take a look through all his Before & After photos on his Facebook page Color Glo Nashville
"Kenny O'Neal did an excellent job on my 2014 special edition Camaro. I had 2 serious dings in my dash and passenger seat, and other fading and discoloration. He is an Artist, loves his work, and is a perfectionist. Seats and dash looks like new. He also restores interiors of collectible cars. Starting with his own collection. If you want it done right call Kenny. I recommend him highly!"
-Robert Wilson
