Infrared Patio Heaters for Restaurants Expand Seating & Restore Profitability

If you're the owner or operator of a restaurant, the choices you make now as states start reopening their economies might significantly affect your financial future. Some people may instinctively pull back and reduce business expenses out of fear and anxiety. However, proactive decision-making calls for a careful assessment of the post-shutdown landscape and how to recover and thrive in the new normal.

By examining how the foodservice industry will operate and identifying key areas that can boost profits, many restaurateurs are focusing on maximizing their outdoor dining areas. Patio seating zones must be optimized moving forward, and patio heaters for restaurants appear to be the smartest investment.

Restaurant Patio Heaters: The New Essential Infrastructure

Even though many state-mandated shutdowns are being lifted, industry experts don't expect dining to return to its pre-pandemic state. A recent article in FSR, a full-service restaurant industry magazine titled "3 Ways Restaurants Will Adapt to a Post-COVID World," highlights the ongoing changes facing the industry.

"The restaurant of the future will need to adapt to meet new consumer demands regarding health and safety. As states begin to reopen businesses, we expect to see adjusted floor plans to allow more space between guests due to social distancing guidelines, party size limits, and capacity restrictions," FSR states. "We might even witness more radical changes to restaurant layouts, such as removing bar seats to support social distancing or eliminating host stands in favor of a digital waitlist or reservation system."

Main strategies center around social distancing to promote health, safety, and attract customers back. Many eateries are considering virtual menu policies, like patrons using digital files and even ordering meals electronically. For those planning to keep in-person waitstaff ordering, personal protective equipment like face masks will likely remain standard practice.

Rebuilding your customer base will largely depend on efficiently spreading out within your available outdoor seating. The patios, decks, sidewalk seating, and verandas that once served as amenities or provided fresh-air dining experiences are now necessities rather than conveniences.

Choosing the Right Patio Heaters for Your Restaurant

To maximize seasonal usage and extended hours, the warmth and comfort provided by high-quality outdoor portable heaters or permanent patio heaters installed overhead are crucial. Without restaurant patio heaters to extend breakfast service earlier or keep customers comfortable for late-night snacks and drinks, the path to recovery could be much longer for business owners. Given these spaces are becoming the most valuable real estate available, decision-makers need to devise a patio heater strategy that keeps customers cozy and happy to dine out. For restaurant decision-makers, these are fundamental space considerations to address.

Open-Air Outdoor Patios

One important decision will be investing in a quality product that utilizes infrared technology rather than flame-driven heat. The primary advantage of infrared over flame units is that this advanced system warms objects and people instead of just the surrounding air. By strategically positioning an outdoor heater to cover an efficient radius, your customers will remain comfortable despite chilly nights or morning breezes.

Semi-Enclosed Outdoor Spaces

It's not uncommon for restaurant owners or managers to assume that outdoor portable heaters are the only viable option, but you can install stationary heaters either on the ground or overhead. This type of patio heater can be fixed overhead to facilitate social distancing at bars or seating areas with overhead protection. High-end units can even be installed on surrounding walls or posts.

A fixed outdoor heater strategy helps optimize floor space while providing a pleasant experience. Restaurant industry leaders are increasingly viewing these as a long-term investment since the day will come when social distancing becomes obsolete. When the coronavirus is fully eradicated, increased seating will occur, and you'll be prepared to maximize quality customer service.

Top Patio Heaters for Restaurants

As the saying goes, "you sometimes have to spend money to make money." Given that outdoor seating areas are vital to recovering from the economic downturn, it's crucial to implement an infrared patio heater strategy immediately. Now is the time to invest in this long-term solution for profitable success.

The good news is that investing in patio heaters for restaurants isn't just a temporary fix. Outdoor heaters will continue to offer excellent returns on investment long after they help you recover from the pandemic. That said, AEI Corporation distributes an industry-leading line of commercial infrared products perfectly suited for restaurants. These models can help your restaurant quickly adapt and deliver a robust dining experience for years to come.

• Propane Infrared Mushroom Heater: Both the Patio Comfort and Sunglo heaters are popular portable propane mushroom heaters used by restaurants. The appeal of portable propane heaters lies in their mobility. With a liquid propane tank housed in its base, the Patio Comfort outdoor portable heater can be repositioned to suit changing seating arrangements. It can also be moved safely out of the way on warm summer afternoons to increase seating when needed.
• Electric Infrared Heaters: This category of fixed box-shaped heaters operates efficiently on electricity and can be installed by a professional relatively easily. The Infratech patio heaters, for instance, run on a dedicated electrical line that can be temperature-controlled and usually includes a shut-off timer. Infratech units can be fixed overhead or permanently attached to surrounding walls or posts. These are practical units for restaurant owners and managers without a nearby natural gas line or who prefer the simplicity of electric panel operation. A flush mounting kit allows some Infratech heaters to be flush-mounted, giving a discreet appearance to your heaters.
• Natural Gas Mushroom and Box Heaters: Similar to the electric models, lines such as the Sunpak can be skillfully mounted overhead, on walls, posts, and enjoyed in both vertical and horizontal configurations. Like propane models, mushroom heaters can run on natural gas as well. However, they won't be portable. They connect directly to your property's natural gas line, providing warm and cost-efficient heat for your guests.

Building a robust infrared heating system for a restaurant's outdoor dining area requires an understanding of each unit's throw radius and the unique aspects of your space. The Patio Comfort, Sunpak, and other models offered by AEI are considered green products based on energy-efficient power usage and the fact that natural gas, electricity, and propane are low-emission resources.

When considering a profit-driving investment in restaurant patio heaters, it's essential to review each unit's manual to determine the spacing between models, patron comfort, fuel source, and how they fit the design and decor of your restaurant. AEI offers decorative options that can enhance the ambiance of your outdoor dining area as well as models that can be tucked away and virtually hidden.

In many cases, a strategic patio heater approach employs models that will help restore short-term profitability and deliver long-lasting customer benefits. The way we live and dine has already shifted. Patio heaters for restaurants are highly likely to become a permanent fixture in the post-pandemic new normal.