Thoughts on what restaurateurs need to be thinking about

Following are my ideas, insights, and predictions for the changes we will likely see, and the impact this will create within the restaurant industry, here in Sarasota and beyond.

ZONING

Zoning rules for restaurants will need to change. Outdoor dining is reviewed differently than interior dining in most locations throughout the country.

I anticipate outdoor dining will have greater impact on seating limits, minimum parking requirements and the plumbing fixture requirements necessary to open and operate a restaurant.

Cities will also need to consider allowances for restaurants to utilize sidewalk space for outdoor dining. Urban zoning codes will need to take into account their property locations and uses for those properties.

In some cities including Sarasota, streets are being closed to automobile traffic to expand pedestrian zones and allow restaurants to offer outdoor dining.

Though temporary, minimizing traffic to increase outdoor space will be addressed in the future.

RESTAURANT DESIGN

Layout

More restaurants are now going to incorporate outdoor spaces into their restaurants to provide social distancing, but they will also need to maximize total seating to maintain or increase revenues.

Restaurants cannot survive on 50% capacity, whether literal or even based on new table spacing.

Outdoor dining will become more integral to the layout of restaurant spaces and as mentioned above, zoning regulations will need to reflect these needs.

This will impact how one enters the restaurant, where people choose to sit and potential views from inside and outside.

In places like Florida, the orientation of a restaurant to maximize air-conditioned interior space may shift significantly with the expansion of exterior areas.

Finishes

Finishes will change given outdoor exposure.

Exterior-grade finishes use different components than interior-grade finishes, so they can stand up to different weather conditions and greater wear and tear.

We as designers are excited about the potential design opportunities this presents.

Climate Control

Restaurant owners will certainly need to reconsider how to keep customers comfortable in outdoor spaces. Climate control will inevitably add costs to the final design and require consideration be made to ceiling heights, clearances and more.

In hot humid places like Florida, restaurants have thrived on outdoor seating, but they have also learned the importance of climate control.

Many Florida restaurants balance equal square footage of interior air-conditioned seating and exterior seating with fans, misters and drop-down curtains.

In winter months, some restaurants prefer ceiling mounted gas or electric heating systems, while some prefer moveable propane heating “columns.”

Ceiling-mounted heating systems require more upfront investment, but the moveable systems are bulky and take up valuable floor space.

Curtains will become an important design consideration:

• The material used for durability

• Whether they have windows in them for views

• Manual or automatic?

These are all cost factors that will now become part of the design process for any restaurant.

And I haven’t even mentioned different types of flooring, drainage, bar countertop materials, security and more.

Building Costs

Will restaurant build-out costs and operating expenses go up?

It may be too early to tell, but it is possible that the answer is yes.

Uncovered outdoor dining spaces are typically less expensive than indoor spaces.

However, restaurateurs may decide to redesign their exterior space to extend its use throughout the year, and to create a more welcoming and inviting environment with covered outdoor seating areas.

These spaces require additional attention to detail and focused design.

A great example of this approach is our design for the BeachHouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, Florida.

The structure we designed allows the restaurant the ability to let light in on beautiful, sunny days but still allow patrons to comfortably enjoy sitting outside on days when the weather is more inclement.

Furnishings

Exterior furniture is very different from interior furniture in composition, materials and durability. Also, costs can vary greatly.

There is less expensive, but good-looking outdoor furniture versus higher-end, more sustainable, outdoor furniture.

I predict that decisions regarding exterior furnishings will come under greater scrutiny as owners give greater attention to the wear and tear based on extended use and try to balance that with associated costs.

Pest Mitigation

With exterior dining, you cannot ignore the need to mitigate insects like flies and mosquitos and even birds. With more dinners served outdoors, it’s a good bet that these pests will also increase.

Curtains, netting, and louvered systems can help solves these challenges.

Many restaurants also use fishing wire and other obstacles to keep birds from swooping in for food.

Restaurant owners will need to consider how to control pests when adding outdoor dining.

Change Presents Opportunities for Restaurants

Adding outdoor dining in any environment can provide incredible design challenges, unique solutions, and ultimately, great success stories.

Professionally, it’s exciting to think about the opportunities to help restaurant owners solve many of these questions as we move into this new phase of our lives. I’d love to hear from readers or patrons as to what they’re learning and finding in their own restaurants or restaurants they’re visiting. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.