How Do Pergolas Help Restaurant Profits?

For restaurants throughout the northeast region, capturing the influx of business during all seasons is a must. When summer months approach, many restaurants are also able to rely on expanded outdoor dining spaces to accommodate increased capacities, but the winter weather can be very challenging. For restauranteurs looking to maintain this expanded capacity during the summer and right into the cold season, an all-weather covered patio will revolutionize their restaurant profits.

A properly designed outdoor dining space will deliver multiple benefits, but not all modern pergolas are created the same. The Azenco Outdoor all-aluminum pergolas we design are fabricated to meet any custom design for restaurant spaces. Our pergolas are the only louvered outdoor structures on the market that completely seal out rain and snow. Ensuring this weather-seal is imperative for a restaurant looking to add consistently available outdoor seating. Additional benefits of adding an all-weather covered dining space include:

Traditional expansions to commercial properties can be very time-consuming. Increasing a property’s physical size requires extensive review and approval from regulatory agencies like planning and zoning boards, even historic districts where applicable. Alternatively, expanding outdoor dining spaces to existing lawn space, parking areas, etc., can often move forward with far less red tape than traditional expansions. While real property expansion can take months or years, adding a high-quality all-weather pergola can be completed in weeks, boosting restaurant profits quickly.

More pergola projects >>

Pergolas help restaurant profits from the very moment they are chosen over traditional expansion. Not only can they be erected much quicker, but the overall project budget will be a fraction of the investment needed for traditional construction. With no need for extensive foundations, plumbing, etc. restaurant pergolas command a far more comfortable investment for notoriously tight-margined restaurant business. Pergolas can also be expanded in phases far easier than traditional interior construction. So, a restaurant owner could cover a portion of the patio one year, and follow up that with a second project to complete the job as revenues roll in.

With the right pergola installed over a patio, roof deck or any other expanded outdoor dining space, restaurateurs can be sure their added space is fully bookable regardless of the season or daily weather report. For sunny summer days, the pergola will keep air flowing across the patio and the louvers can be angled to create shade while allowing in some mood-setting sun. If a summer rain shower approaches, simply close the louvers to completely seal out the rain. During cold winter months, the pergola roof can be closed to seal out snowfall, channeling snow melt through its hidden internal gutter system. To keep chilling winds and blowing snow away from diners, simply activate the motorized retractable screens.

Today’s modern pergolas can be customized with a variety of features to enhance comfort, ambiance, and functionality:

• Embedded LED lights: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the evening with customizable lighting options.
• Integrated heaters: Extend the outdoor dining season and enjoy your space even on cooler days with built-in heating elements.
• Motorized screens: Retractable screens provide shade, privacy, and protection from the elements, allowing you to enjoy your pergola in various weather conditions.
• Fans: Keep cool and comfortable during hot summer months with integrated ceiling fans that provide a gentle breeze.
• Sound systems: Enjoy your favorite music or podcasts while relaxing in your outdoor space with a built-in sound system.

With a durable, modern pergola for an outdoor dining space, restaurateurs can be confident that weather will not hinder their daily restaurant profits or bookings. Expanded patio space will never need to close because diners are sweating under the afternoon sun or huddling indoors to avoid the rain. Come winter, the diner will always be a go under the warmth of a heated, all-weather patio. This guarantee that the added tables can be reserved with confidence also allows restaurant owners to more accurately calculate their return on investment (ROI) schedule…more on that shortly.

R-BREEZE™

The architectural look of a custom pergola also delivers a splash of updated styling to a restaurant’s exterior. With fully customizable color ways available to seamlessly fit the existing look of the restaurant, or create an eye-catching accent design on the rooftop deck, an innovative pergola will bring a new level of style to the property. With our fully customizable designs, we integrate retractable screen walls that roll down to create smaller intimate dining spaces for private parties. Static privacy walls can be selected for full-time privacy spaces, or screens can be fitted with sheer material that creates a mystic feel while still allowing some light to pass into the rooms.

Obviously, adding seating capacity that is available all-year round, regardless of the weather conditions, will help increase restaurant profits, but most savvy owners will want to know exactly when their new pergola will finish paying for itself and instead start paying them dividends. Luckily, calculating your ROI is pretty straight forward.

Here’s one sample project completed with our bestselling motorized louvered roof pergola the R-BLADE™. The restaurant terrace was equpied with an Azenco R-Blade adjustable louvered roof pergola on a 1,500 square foot outdoor dining space below. The new space was able to comfortably accommodate tables and seating for an additional 125 guests. Given the revenues the restaurant reported from that space, the owners grew their profits by about $2,000 per seat.

More covered patio inspirations >>

Of course, every restaurant has its own unique operating margins, so your experience may vary slightly. Make sure when you are doing your ROI projections that you factor in the number of seats you will be able to add. Also consider your current slow seasons and weather you can estimate increased business revenues with an all-weather outdoor covered patio space. Lastly, if financing will be part of the project analysis, make sure to check with your bankers or investors to accurately interpret interest rates on the project loan.

More about operable pergolas >>

If you’re a restaurant owner or general manager in the New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey areas considering expanding your dining space, Contact Azenco Outdoor. We can help you design a custom pergola for your outdoor area and evaluate the potential return on investment of your project.