As the weather gets warmer, Canadians flock to their local patios to take advantage of the summer season. Outdoor dining increases restaurant sales, so maximizing that space only makes sense. 70 per cent of consumers are willing to wait longer for the patio, so make the wait worth their while with a memorable experience that will have them coming back again and again.

So many restaurants offer patio dining these days, so stand out and fill those seats with fun events that will draw a crowd to your patio.

Happy Hour

With 34 per cent of people preferring to dine al fresco in the early afternoon and 40 per cent in the later afternoon, Happy Hour may be an option to boost traffic at a traditionally slower time.  Consider offering snack food and a dedicated menu for alcoholic and mocktail options and rotate the menu regularly to keep people engaged and coming back. You may also want to add a theme to some of these events, like date night or girls’ night, to attract certain customers and gauge interest. Schedule Happy Hour so that it doesn’t interfere with your regular dinner rush to make the most of the additional traffic and sales.

Go local

At this time of year, thinking local can be simpler than during the colder months. You could collaborate with a local coffee roastery, bakery, or even farm to feature a specific ingredient on the menu. You might also want to add a community or charity element by raising money or awareness for a community cause you care about. You can cross-promote so both partners get attention and attract guests. This way, while you fill your patio, you pitch in for a neighbourhood business, help a good cause, and you reach a host of new customers for your restaurant.

Get in on the fun

Getting creative with your outdoor events can help you stand out and get guests excited. Think trivia or games night, pets on the patio, social media wall, speed dating, pizza nights, and more to offer something unique for your guests. These events don’t require a large budget and can also be held on slower nights, so you don’t take away from your regular business, but you attract a new set of regulars on alternate nights.

If you’re not a seasoned host, there are some factors to consider to ensure your event goes off without a hitch:

• 35 per cent of people are likely to book a reservation for the patio during the summer months, so don’t be afraid to ask guests to reserve their spot for your event ahead of time.
• If your event includes music or audio, don’t forget to install and test sound equipment that ensures guests will be able to enjoy the entertainment the way they were meant to.
• Similarly, if there is a show, create a layout that allows everyone to see and install the lighting that you need for optimal viewing.
• Schedule and train staff efficiently to make the experience optimal for guests and your teams.
• Consider long weekends when scheduling your events. Look at last year’s traffic: were you busier or slower on these weekends? Depending you your past traffic, you may want to increase or limit events during those time periods.
• Add technology like additional terminals to make service faster and simpler for guests, and lighten the load for your busy staff.
• Ensure that you advertise your events to fill as many seats as possible. Talk the event up with your team, post on socials, include details in an email, feature restaurant signage, and make it easy to see on your website.
• Make events enjoyable for everyone with some sunny areas and some shady options, too. Depending on the time of day, the weather may dictate that people want to spend more time in one area than in the other. Consider an alternate plan should the weather not cooperate.
• You may not want every event guest travelling in and out through the restaurant, adding congestion to your indoor space. Consider offering parking lot or outdoor access to your patio for simplicity and ease.

Your outdoor space is an important part of your seasonal business, so focus on hosting events that will bring people in, attract attention for your restaurant, and boost your bottom line for the summer.