Revamping the Menu: The Art of Restaurant Renovation

Let’s face it, profit margins in the restaurant industry are notoriously low (usually somewhere between 3% to 5%). As an owner, you need to make sure the money coming into your business is always greater than the money going out. Otherwise, you’re in trouble.

A good way to boost this somber statistic is to bring in more guests. After all, the more food you serve, the more money you make. One way to get more guests through the door is to renovate.

If you’re ready to boost your restaurant’s curb appeal and take care of any needed repairs, this article is for you. In it, we’ll go over a few key aspects behind restaurant renovation.

Let’s get started!

What is a Restaurant Renovation?

Put simply, restaurant renovations update the feel of an eatery to give it a more modern, inviting atmosphere. This often involves making changes to decor, layouts, and equipment, in order to increase the customer experience. Depending on the scope of the renovation project, it can be a quick process or an overhaul that requires months of planning.

How Is a Restaurant Renovation Different from a Remodel?

Both renovations and remodels can help to improve the overall look and feel of a restaurant, but they are distinct processes each with its own set of goals.

Restaurant Renovations: Essentially, this is a complete overhaul of the interior and exterior of a restaurant to make it more modern and updated. This includes anything from changing out furnishings to rebuilding the interior structure.
Restaurant Remodels: On the other hand, remodels address specific, smaller issues with a restaurant, such as changing the color scheme or adding decorative pieces. It is usually less extensive than a renovation and does not require as much structural work.

What Are the Benefits of a Restaurant Renovation?

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Here’s three competitive advantages of renovating your restaurant:

Increased Profits: A well-executed renovation can help attract more diners and keep them coming back for more.
Improved Brand Image: Renovating a restaurant helps highlight its best features and goes a long way toward standing out from the competition.
Enhanced Atmosphere: A total refresh provides the opportunity to create an atmosphere that is inviting and appealing to customers.

Unsure if your restaurant needs a face-lift? Check out a few tell-tale signs you’re overdue for a remodel.

Is a Remodel Right for Me?

When Should I Renovate my Restaurant?

There’s not a “best” time to renovate your restaurant, as ultimately, it’s subjective. What’s right for one restaurant might not work for another. That’s why you need to carefully evaluate annual traffic to identify customer patterns.

For example, let’s say you’re the busiest during the summer months. In that case, you’ll want to wait until late-fall or early-winter to start renovating. On the other hand, if your restaurant experiences consistent demand throughout the year, then you need to plan ahead. A great way to do this is by looking at seasonality trends and booking your restaurant renovation construction project around them.

When Remodeling my Restaurant, What Do I Need to Consider?

Time to bring in new customers? Don’t make a call to your commercial general contractors—at least, not yet. Before starting the blueprints for your restaurant renovation, there’s a few factors you need to account for.

1. Assess Your Current Layout

First, perform a deep assessment of your restaurant’s current layout, and ask yourself questions like:

Do the tables and chairs create a natural pathway through the restaurant?
Is it easy to enter and exit; are the doors clearly marked and mapped?
Does the restaurant offer access to those with disabilities?

As a helpful tip, you may want to casually observe how your servers behave during normal restaurant hours. If you notice a common obstacle or anything unusual, make a note to get it fixed. When designing your restaurant layout, make sure there’s a designated space to take breaks that’s not in front of the guests (because this could look unprofessional).

2. Determine Your Budget

Now it’s time to think about costs and budgeting. You can’t dive too deep into a renovation project until you know how much funding you have to work with.

First, prioritize your top needs, whether those include a new floor plan, an updated kitchen, new light fixtures, new furnishings, commercial impact windows, or commercial impact doors.

From there, you can estimate renovation costs by getting quotes from commercial building renovation contractors.

Even with an experienced restaurant renovation contractor – unforeseen costs can pop up so make sure your budget has some wiggle room.

Working with an experienced renovation contractor will give you insight into how a project may vary. Considering that, make sure to prioritize the thing that will benefit your restaurant the most

3. Identify Your Aesthetic

When it comes to interior furnishings, fixtures, and decorations, consider the ambiance you’re going for. For example, if you serve ethnic food, stay true to the culture from which the food comes. Or try to at least set a consistent theme.

When it comes to the exterior, focus on making it eye-catching. You want the restaurant to grab people’s attention so that they want to come in. Many people judge whether they want to eat at a restaurant based on how it looks from the outside, so take care of any cosmetic or structural damage—and don’t neglect the landscaping.

4. Promote Your New Space!

Here’s the fun part. It’s time to let the world know about all the changes happening inside your dining room, and this is a great opportunity to spark interest in your restaurant. Some people may want to try it for the first time, while past customers may want to come to see the new changes. To get the word out, you can send marketing emails, advertise with signs in the windows, or post about it on social media. You may even consider hosting a reopening event to celebrate the occasion.

Ready to Revamp Your Menu With Restaurant Renovation Services?

Ready to make your renovation dreams a reality? Connor Construction is a top-choice for restaurant renovation contractors, and our expert teams are ready to help. Contact us today to get started, and tell us about your project vision. We look forward to hearing about your project!