GETTING THE RIGHT TABLE TOP FOR A RESTAURANT

What to consider when purchasing table tops for your dining room

If you think about it, during their visit, the table top of your restaurant is what you patron looks at the most.  When choosing the furniture for your restaurant dining area, the table top is perhaps even more important than the seating in its effect on your customer’s experience as well as your employees ability to serve them.

Obviously, the design appearance of the top needs to go well with the rest of your décor but there are other considerations that are equally important:

Size and Shape

Dining room real estate is expensive and as a food service operator, you want to maximize it without detracting from the venue.

It is best to offer different size tables, not only to accommodate different group sizes, but also to prevent the room appearing too much like a classroom.

Here are the common size tables and their use:

• • 24”x30” is referred to as a “Two Top” as it comfortably accommodates 2 diners.
  • 30”x30” and 36”x36” are the most widely used square tops for 4 patrons.  30”x30” is used where there will not be large platters used or a lot of dishes and glassware on the table (think QSR’s, and sandwich and coffee shops).  The bigger 36”x 36” table tops are traditionally used in fine dining, hotel, and club dining.
  • Two and Four table tops are the predominate tops used, but many operators also employ larger rectangular sizes to accommodate bigger groups. Using tables that have at least one common dimension can greatly help in handling larger groups.
  • If a party of 8 wants to sit together, putting two 30″x30″s and a 24″x30″s together can handle it.
  • Round table tops are not as space efficient but their shape can help break up a room. They are also popular for use at bar height in a bar setting.
  • For more versatility, some operators will include a square Four Top table that has drop leaves. When the leaves are opened, the table becomes a large round suitable for a bigger group.

Materials

If a table cloth is to be used, the material of the top is less important, but more and more restauranteurs today wish to reduce costs by eliminating linens.

Solid wood and wood veneer tops can offer a warm and inviting appearance. Properly finished, these tops can provide years of service but  may be damaged by harsh cleaners and sanitizers.

If you intend to have your table tops custom made, allow 8 plus weeks to get them. Fortunately, today there are a wide selection of tops available in the common sizes you might need from companies like BFM Seating.

Having an attractive, correctly sized table top can help provide your patron a pleasant dining experience.

To learn more about BFM Seating’s full range of dining table tops, please click here or call us at 215-289-5411.