5 terrace tips for summer 2024

Spring is here! Time to prepare your team and terrace. Getting ready for the spring and summer season requires some planning. Here are five straightforward tips to make sure your restaurant shines during these warm days.

1. Make guests happy by suggesting great options

Focus on making your guests happy rather than just trying to sell more. According to Wouter Verkerk, a renowned hospitality expert, understanding guest preferences is paramount. Research indicates that a significant portion of guests who opt for regular coffee may actually desire something different. (source) By offering personalised recommendations, you not only enhance guest satisfaction but also boost sales naturally.

2. Curate a tempting menu

Keep your menu simple and focused on tasty dishes and drinks. Put signature cocktails or seasonal delights in the spotlight with a dedicated summer menu. Quality over quantity is the mantra; highlight a few special items that your guests will love instead of overwhelming them with too many choices. Simple menus are easier for guests to understand and choose from.

3. Serve faster with a smart POS system

Efficiency is the heartbeat of successful restaurant service. Koen, a server at Eeterij Juno in Wemeldinge, The Netherlands, shares his experience with unTill Air and how it improves his service. "It's so convenient to be able to place orders with just a few taps, and that's exactly what unTill Air does." When asked about the most used features, Koen lists: effortlessly request the next course to be served, adding drinks by swiping, and easily transferring orders from one table to another. "Thanks to the different colors and icons in unTill Air, you have a good and clear overview of your outdoor area."

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4. Opt for a 2-in-1 solution

Stay ahead of the curve with the Tap-to-Pay functionality, soon to be introduced by unTill Air. Simplify the payment process for both guests and staff by enabling contactless payments via iPhones. Using the same iPhone that is also used for ordering, gives you a 2-in-1 solution. Convenient for both guests that pay contactless and don't need to wait and for staff who don't need to walk the extra metres to get a separate device. This innovative solution not only enhances operational efficiency but also minimises hardware costs, providing a win-win scenario for your business.

5. Create a welcoming atmosphere

Guests arriving see the outside seating area first. Therefore, attention to atmosphere is crucial. Consider comfortable cushions and decorative elements that match your establishment's ambiance for cozy seating. Ensure there's enough greenery to create an inviting ambiance. Especially on the first summer days, it can get a bit cooler in the evenings; maybe heaters are a smart addition to your hospitality venue. Or think of canopies during summer rain showers. Once the sun shines and your terrace fills up again, you can take advantage of this by posting photos or reels of the atmosphere and your team. This way, you give a warm first impression via your socials.