The foodservice landscape has seen so much change in recent years, and many operators are looking to connect with their customer base to foster loyalty and keep building that bottom line. With pet ownership numbers up since the pandemic, the demand for pet-friendly patios has also seen an increase.

Studies show that Yelp searches for businesses where people filtered for “dogs allowed” increased 58 per cent between 2021 and 2023, and a study conducted by OpenTable revealed that more than one-third of people dine out with their pets. Adding a dog-friendly patio can help operators stand out, meet growing demand, attract a new clientele, and raise revenues.

Creating a dog-friendly patio

If you are looking to expand your patio to include dogs, you need to take pet owners and non-pet owners into account to create a space that works for everyone. Here are a few tips for creating a patio that will be popular with patrons and their pooches:

Consider designating an area of your patio for pets to keep them together and separate them from the other guests.
Guests with allergies may not want to be seated close to dog-friendly tables, so keep a few tables open elsewhere on your patio to accommodate these guests.
Set out bowls of water and offer some shade to help keep dogs cool on hot summer days.
Offer a railing or secure spot where owners can hook up their pets to keep them safe and close by.
Ensure that guests with dogs have a separate entrance and exit to your patio without going through the restaurant.
Try and attract as many dog owners as you can by advertising your new space on social media, your website, dog-friendly apps, and by posting signage on-site.
Consider hosting dog-friendly events or designated hours to draw in a crowd and attract attention.
Just like with any guests, you will need to be prepared to handle disruptions. Some noise will likely occur, but staff will need to know when to address disruptions that take away from other guests’ experience.

Offering a pet-friendly experience on your patio can help grow your business by attracting new clientele, with just a few simple steps.