outdoor dining with smartphone technology

What 2022 May Serve Restaurants

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It’s January, a time when possibility floats in the air like the scent of oregano on a wood oven pizza slice. What can restaurants and their guests look forward to in 2022? Intuition points to a few things already in the works.

Menu Like It’s 2022 outdoor dining with smartphone technology

More and more diners want to know what’s in every mouthful. Everyone is smarter than ever, more conscious, and tuned into the fine print on labels and menus. Superfoods. Antioxidants. Even innovations like “adaptogenic” beverages, which are designed to neutralize the effects of stress on the body, will become more common. Farm-to-table freshness holds perennial appeal. Supporting local produce will also continue to light up guests’ eyes. What’s more, the trend to use more local foods will relieve current supply chain issues since they can be transported easily.

Experience Is King

Theme nights, wine tastings and game nights got things going. Now the fun-craving public wants all that and more. Will it be eating dim sum out at midnight? Maybe a nostalgia menu night? Or perhaps that greenhouse added for Covid safety will serve entrees in flower pots or menus made with edible flowers. As the restaurant industry reinvents itself during a time of rapid change, consumers want their dining experience rebooted as well. There’s never been a better time to experiment with new ideas.

Technology Triumphs

The impact of the smartphone on restaurants can’t be understated. Many folks waiting for a table have stepped out of the physical queue permanently, holding their spots virtually instead. Digital menus, online ordering, paying, and scanning QR codes will continue to be popular. Real-time marketing efforts served up online will nudge customers into making dining choices. There’s talk of a few restaurants starting to debut robots (for real!) to assist waitstaff. All of this makes an evening out more frictionless, while also freeing up limited staffing.

Eating Out Means Eating Outside

Now that diners have experienced a breath of fresh air, everybody likes the flexibility of being in an igloo, or on the patio, the sidewalk, or porch. That’s not going to change. Everyone will be all about al fresco in 2022. Restaurants will make things comfortable with heaters, shades, fans, misters, and sun protection. Four seasons of outdoor eating, even when it’s not all perfect, will be high on everybody’s list.

Whether you decide to season-proof your patio or go up on the roof to create an outdoor space, it helps to talk with an expert. At Southern Patio Enclosures, we help restaurants make the smart decisions that keep guests feeling happy and comfortable. We’re always happy to advise on the most durable material choices, creative design solutions, and the surprising affordability of high-quality patio enclosures. Whatever you decide, you want it done right the first time. Like everyone, we hope that Covid pushes away from the table at long last as we look forward to a healthy, prosperous 2022. See you on the patio.

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nightime outdoor restaurant patios lit up

Mood (and Food!) Lighting for Restaurant Patios

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nightime outdoor restaurant patios lit up Light up Your Restaurant Patio’s Appeal

The ambiance of a patio can shift at your command. It’s all about the way you orchestrate lighting from morning to moonlight. Seeing your patio through fresh eyes – actually your customer’s eyes – is a great way to shed a few rays of insight on any changes to make. Your brand affects all your decisions, including lighting. Are you a high-energy patio or an intimate, romantic spot? Bright lighting is perfect to create a high-spirited, inclusive and fun vibe. Low lighting adds date-night charm.

Say hello to guests with the right lights

Your customers need to know that they’re at the right destination when they arrive. There are a few practical considerations here. Are the signage and entrance to your patio area clear? Can people see where they are going to stay safe? Is there a host stand visible so that guests know how and where to get seated?

Think about a bit of magic on your guests’ approach, too. Does your patio look intriguing, inviting or even romantic? The curiosity and joy of arriving can be magnified with one dramatic lighting focal point of an architectural highlight. You can also pull together more balanced lighting with twinkling strands of lights threaded across overhead beams or across walls as you look across your patio space.

The phone flashlight and menu test

Your guests need to be able to read what’s for dinner and then see your incredible food when it’s delivered. Do they need to take out their phone flashlights to do that? Candles or a sconce on the table can help illuminate what needs to be seen. A strategic downlight from above that hits the center of the table can also spotlight what matters. Faces also get a lovely glow with strategic low lights. Same goes for the food you hope everyone will snap and post on social media.

Layer lighting for great ambiance

In addition to downlighting, consider up-lighting, which can offer drama for historic, natural and architectural elements on your patio. Perimeter lighting around the edges of the patio or in nearby landscaping is also an important layer that works together with other light sources to create beautiful mood.

Control at a touch

As natural lighting shifts, you’ll want to be able to adjust lighting to keep up. Dimmers are key. Another great way to do this is with a computerized lighting system to dial lighting up or down as the outside light changes. Having control keeps ambiance the way your guests like it. Remember, you adjust emotion when you adjust lighting. People may not comment on it, but they feel it. It’s one more element that makes your special place special.

Protect your lighting with an enclosed patio

Soggy guests and wet votives are no fun. Many restaurateurs have taken the extra step to keep their patios open, no matter the weather with an enclosure. These can be hand-rolled or motorized, depending on your needs and budget. You’ll want a solution that looks beautiful and hangs tough when mother nature sends wind, rain or even sleet pounding.

If you’d like more details, feel free to ask us. We are high-quality enclosure specialists. Helping eateries keep one of the favorite spots in their restaurants accessible in every season is our focus. By pulling together color, style and mechanicals, you can make your patio shine in any weather and ensure that guest reviews are glowing.

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Heating Tips for Happier Patio-Goers

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Keeping restaurant guests warm has never been a hotter topic. Two options to keep your restaurant patio humming along in challenging weather are a high-quality patio enclosure and reliable heaters. Often, they are used together as a one-two comfort punch. Enclosures allow protection from the elements and better control over healthier airflow. Patio heaters allow you to fine-tune temperature for extra coziness by simply touching an “on” switch. outdoor restaurant patio heater paired with southern patio enclosures

You’ll want to do a little research first. Some heaters are fine on an outdoor patio. Others are better choices with an enclosed patio. The fuel they use, safety and government regulations and installation considerations will all be part of your decision. Talking to a professional as you narrow down is always a great idea.

First, Length x Width = Patio Heater Warmth

If you’ve already enclosed your patio, you likely already know its measurements to within ¼ of an inch. If you don’t, get out that steel tape measure. Accurately measuring length and width will get you to the right square footage. And who doesn’t want to know what they’re working with? Also, consider which temperature you want to maintain while people sit at your tables. Once you know the cubic square footage of your patio, multiply it by the number of degrees you want to raise the temperature. That’s how many thousands of BTUs your heaters need to kick out to be effective.

The ABCs and BTUs of Restaurant Patio Heaters.

Natural Gas and Propane

These two options burn cleaner since they don’t produce smoke or odor. They do, however, put out carbon dioxide so that requires enough ventilation and air circulation. Both are cost-effective and efficient. Natural gas heaters need to be installed by a professional. Propane heaters are usually portable because the tank is generally attached to the heater. The tank needs to be refilled, which can get expensive.

Here are a few rough guesstimates:

  • 25.000 BTU gas heater mostly heats about an 8×8 foot square area.
  • 35.000 to 40.000 BTU gas heaters heat 8 to 10 feet high and will likely heat a 12’x12′ area.
  • 50.000 to 75.000 BTU heaters will typically heat a 15×15 foot area fairly easily.

Electric Heaters

If you don’t have natural gas lines, electric could be a good option for you. Obviously, these heaters need to have an outlet or be hardwired. So, check your service panel. You’ll want to understand how much available power you have for your restaurant if you add them to the mix. Considered to be safer than gas, electric heaters also tend to offer nice style. What’s more, they’re low maintenance and they heat as well as gas with half the BTU ratings.

A 6000w 240 volt electric heater can often compete with a 34.000 BTU gas heater in about a 12’x12′ space. And of course, it depends on the heater. Every brand offers a different output.

With both gas and electric fuel, you likely have a choice between warm air, convection and radiant infrared heaters. Many say that the radiant infrared version provides a more immediate warmth vs. the others which create more lag time.

Surround those heaters with a weather protector.

When patio heaters team up with an enclosure, you have a dynamic duo that keeps comfort at the top of your menu. So, you’ll want a patio enclosure made with strong bones. That means buying one that offers the strongest fabrics available paired with the most durable construction to keep rain, sleet, wind and snow at bay. A high-quality enclosure also cuts down on the fuel usage needed to keep guests happy.

Ask us how to keep your patio producing for you year round.

“Shoulder” season was definitely redefined this year. For anyone wanting educated, experienced advice on patio enclosures, we’re here for you. Whether sturdy hand-rolled panels or an instant-access motorized solution is what you need, we offer products chosen for the kind of integrity that our long-standing customers swear by. All fit a range of budgets. All can be custom-measured and installed if you choose. For extra warmth on demand, many of our customers have glowing reviews for Schwank Heaters and Infratech. Both companies are pioneers with decades of experience in state-of-the-art technology. Here’s to cozying up for a new level of comfort in 2021.

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gloria restaurant winter patio screens exterior

Don’t Send Your Patio Into Hibernation

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Your restaurant is the cure for the cabin fever that will likely set in with the first extended Covid winter. People need a break now and then. If you can keep them warm, they’ll be happy to eat outside no matter the season.

gloria restaurant winter patio screens exteriorWith the right enclosure, patio seating becomes your most flexible option. This has been true for decades and is especially true during times of social distancing. During inclement weather, lower your patio enclosures to offer comfortable dining while remaining socially distanced. Showing your guests that you care about both their safety and comfort with a hospitable patio is a great way to steer them to your place when they ask, “Where are we going tonight”?

Sometimes open air dining may be your safest option. When that’s the case, adapting your enclosure to allow for more airflow is simple. Whenever temperatures dip to their lowest, adding both high and low heaters helps your guests feel extra comfortable. Electric is a first choice, followed by propane.

More airflow measures this year may also inspire new ideas. Why not get creative and invite them to BYOB (“B” as in “blanket”) for a discount? Or think about making a bigger deal of lunch. Maybe offer dinner menus mid-day when the temperature is milder. That way they’re eating while the sun’s still out.

No matter how you configure your patio, encourage guests to make patio reservations before coming, directly with you or on OpenTable’s outdoor dining section. Then everyone can sit in their favorite spot.

Finally, don’t underestimate how much happiness you offer your regular customers. They will truly appreciate that you’ve bent over backwards to provide some normalcy in their lives. When all this is over (and it will be over at some point…), they’ll never forget your can-do attitude, creativity and hospitality at a time when they needed it most.

Contact Us to Winterize Your Patio Today

For ideas on enclosing your patio, reach out. We’re known for providing the highest quality enclosures. Our Southern Patio Enclosure team has successfully equipped many restaurants with affordable and secure options that extend the life of outdoor dining quite comfortably. By lowering any of our enclosures, your guests immediately feel the change in temperature. And with our motorized enclosures, you can maintain open air dining while blocking wind gusts or bright sun by partially lowering any curtain with the touch of a button.

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In the Media: Redfin

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Southern Patio Enclosures in the Media

This month, Southern Patio Enclosures was featured by Redfin.com in their blog post “Ideas for Using Your Outdoor Space Year Round“.

We were selected from a group of notable experts to share ideas and inspiration on how to use your outdoor living space all year long, even during the winter. At Southern Patio Enclosures, we offer the strongest and most durable enclosure systems available, manufactured to withstand the harshest of elements. Paired with a heating system, our motorized and manual screen systems will help you transform your patio into a cozy, inviting space – even during the coldest day of the year!

Check out the post and contact us today to learn more.

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Getting Your Patio Ready for the Spring

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Spring is known for the return of beautiful flowers and pleasing temperatures. It’s a time when more customers prefer to spend their time outdoors, helping businesses with patios capitalize on the warmer temperatures. However, spring is also a time known for rain and wind. Any type of restaurant or sports cafe will inevitably lose revenue if it does not have a way to protect its patrons from unfavorable weather. Installing a retractable patio screen can easily solve this issue.

Wind Resistant Screens motorized patio screens sun shade material clear vinyl windows rooftop patio del frisco restaurant orange furniture

Wind gusts are notorious for ruining outdoor seating areas, disturbing patrons and affecting their dining experience. Adding a windscreen to your patio can help keep your customers comfortable and maintain an enjoyable atmosphere. At Southern Patio Enclosures, we offer manual and motorized windscreens designed to withstand years of use and extreme weather conditions. Our manual windscreen can provide your customers with protection from winds reaching up to 45 mph. For additional protection, consider our motorized screen systems built to withstand winds up to 65 mph. If you are located in an area that tends to experience extremely powerful winds, ask us about our hurricane-rated systems designed to endure up to 120 mph winds!

Year-Round Protection

Investing in a patio enclosure that can withstand inclement weather throughout the seasons can help you capitalize on revenue that would otherwise be lost throughout the year. We offer the strongest and most durable enclosure systems available, manufacturing our screens with tough PVC vinyl and using RF welding to bond the pieces together.

Our screens can also provide relief from the summer’s stifling heat. Our sun shade material can block up to 95 percent of the sun’s rays, keeping your customers cool and protected from the sun’s damaging rays.

Spring Into Action!

Installing a retractable patio screen can instantly improve your customers’ experience, maximizing your revenue. Prepare your patio for the spring and contact Southern Patio Enclosures today!

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hats creek patio screens enclosure

Choosing a Patio Enclosure for the Winter

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It’s the start of the new year and you’re probably thinking of different ways you can increase your restaurant’s revenue. If you were forced to close down your outdoor environment during the cold season, installing a patio enclosure is the perfect solution! An enclosed patio makes it easier to provide customers with a cozy and inviting atmosphere, enjoy extra seating, and allow you to boost your revenue.

Optimize Seating Capacity hats creek patio screens enclosure

A crowded dining room can lead to uncomfortable seating options, long waits, and dissatisfied patrons. Enclosures allow businesses to benefit from increasing their seating options and maintaining a more enjoyable atmosphere for customers. Our manual screen systems can cover widths of 60 feet or wider, ensuring you are making full use of your restaurant’s porch, deck, or patio area by effectively increasing your seating options. They are also our more economical option, with business owners usually seeing a return in their investment within 2-3 months.

Our sophisticated motorized enclosures can also be customized to meet your needs, extending up to 20 feet wide without having to build additional beams. Easy to use, they are our fastest deploying system, lowering up to 16 screens at once with a push of a button.

Protection from All Environmental Factors

As a business owner, you want to make sure your outdoor dining guests have an enjoyable experience, protected from all kinds of weather. At Southern Patio Enclosures, our unique manufacturing process enables our curtains to endure extreme weather conditions longer than any competitor. Our manual enclosures protect against 45 mph winds and our motorized screens are manufactured to endure up to 65 mph winds. For maximum wind resistance, our motorized systems can be upgraded to be hurricane-resistant, withstanding winds of up to 120 mph.

During the off-season, the hand-rolled enclosures can be easily removed from their track and stored away until the next season. When not in use, our motorized enclosures completely retract into their hood, blending in completely with your outside design. You can also further optimize your patio screens by pairing our systems with our effective sun shade material to create a comfortable and cool outdoor space during the hot summers.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere

Outdoor seating can offer a different, more relaxed experience to your diners, away from the clamor of the kitchen and loud chatter from other tables. Seating that provides an unobstructed view of the skyline, natural areas or seasonal displays can also make an ideal backdrop for an enjoyable meal or night out. Our all-weather patio enclosures are a simple way to allow customers to use your outdoor area comfortably during the colder months of winter. Both of our systems can be paired with patio heaters, fireplaces, and fire pits to deliver a cozy outdoor experience to your guests!

New Year, New Solutions!

From easy-to-use manual screens to remote-operated enclosures that offer superior convenience and protection from the elements, business and commercial property owners can confidently trust in our systems to enhance their customers’ experience. Contact us today for more information!

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red enclosures clear vinyl window commercial product outside view restaurant patio manual roller shades

Protect Your Customers from High Winds

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If you’re looking for ways to increase your revenue this year, installing a commercial-strength patio enclosure should be your first choice! Many think these systems can only be used as protection against the cold weather, but they can also block harsh winds and rain during the springtime. Here’s how patio enclosures have helped restaurants and businesses across the country keep their patios full even during uncooperative weather:

Full Protection from the Weather Year-Round red enclosures clear vinyl window commercial product outside view restaurant patio manual roller shades

Don’t lose revenue by having to close down your outdoor seating area because of the upcoming rainy and windy seasons. At Southern Patio Enclosures, our commercial window panels are made with tough PVC vinyl, offering protection against all elements and built to handle daily use for many years. The tracks of our systems are made from extruded-aluminum, expertly manufactured so that the curtains don’t get caught when deployed, making them last longer than any competitor.

Maximum Wind Resistance – Even Against Hurricane Winds

If your business is along the coast, then you are well-familiar with the strong winds that blow away napkins and tablecloths, discouraging customers from sitting outside. Our windscreens can easily help stop the chaos of having high winds disrupt your dining patrons’ experience. Our manual windscreens offer wind protection against 45 mph and our motorized screens are strong enough to endure up to 65 mph winds. For extreme protection, our screens can also be manufactured to be hurricane resistant, withstanding winds of up to 120 mph.

Clear Views of Surrounding Landscape

Worried that installing a windscreen will block the scenic view surrounding your business? Our panels are made with clear vinyl material, allowing customers to enjoy an unobstructed view of your landscape with full protection from the elements. Every product we make is built to your space’s specifications and customized to meet its design.

Get Started on Your Weatherproof Investment Today!

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to make the changes to your restaurant that will boost your revenue. Contact us today to learn more about our products and to receive a complimentary quote!

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del frisco motorized patio sun shades

Commercial Benefits of Having an Enclosed Patio

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Businesses across the country have used our enclosures to add ambiance to their outdoor space and to keep unfavorable weather from disturbing their customers’ experience. See how our patio enclosures can help different businesses boost their annual revenue and contact us today to receive a complimentary quote!

Restaurants, Cafes, and Pubs del frisco restaurant motorized patio sun shades

An easy and cost-efficient way to meet the increasing demand in your restaurant is to enclose your outdoor space. Installing retractable patio screens allows you to expand your seating area to accommodate more guests and manage high wait times. Our rope & pulley panels can cover widths of 60 feet or wider, easily allowing you to offer more seating options to your customers. When lowered, our clear vinyl panels provide protection against annoying pests, rain, and winds of up to 65 mph, while still allowing patrons to enjoy the scenic landscape surrounding your business all year long.

Hotels and Resorts

Use an enclosure to create an intimate space guests can rent for private events. Our motorized patio enclosures can extend up to 20 feet wide and be further customized to meet your needs. Easily and quickly deployed with a push of a button, our motorized systems provide full protection from extreme weather conditions, withstanding winds of up to 85 mph and can be upgraded to be a hurricane-rated product. Using only the strongest and most durable materials available, we will work closely with you throughout the design and installation process to make your enclosed outdoor area a stylish extension of your beautifully-designed interior.

ranch event venue beige clear vinyl patio screens Event Venues

If your venue hosts weddings, conventions, family events, or other large gatherings, you probably work hard to make sure your customers’ special day is perfect. Make your outdoor venue stands out by offering your guests complete protection from unexpected changes in the weather with our enclosures. Our systems are custom-designed to compliment the aesthetics of your business and manufactured with the strongest materials to withstand years of use.

Clubs and Sport Venues

Don’t let events at your country club be ruined because of extreme weather. Pair your patio screens with our high-grade sun shade material that can block up to 95% of the sun’s heat rays. Our patio systems can be easily paired with other climate control devices to keep spectators cool and comfortable. For complete protection, consider installing a roofing structure.

Request Your Quote Today!

Allow customers to enjoy your outdoor space all year long with our weather-proof enclosure systems. We offer flexible financing programs and dedicated customer service nationwide. Contact us today to receive a free quote! 512-782-8787

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How to Increase Your Restaurant’s Annual Revenue

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Installing patio enclosures can be an invaluable asset to business owners looking to increase their restaurant’s profitability. At Southern Patio Enclosures, we want to help our customers make the most out of their investment by providing turnkey solutions and flexible financial programs. Here are a few ways our custom-designed enclosures can help increase your annual revenue:

Expand Your Seating Area motorized sun enclosures clear vinyl shoal tavern interior patio

Installing vinyl panels to your patio extends your seating area without having to increase rent, parking spaces or bathroom spaces (per most building codes). Creating more space where you have a little more control over the environment allows you to serve more customers and accommodate large parties. By increasing seating availability, wait times will be easier to manage which in turn will increase customer retention.

Our motorized enclosures are able to extend up to 20 feet wide without having to install additional beams and our manual enclosures can be zipped together to cover widths of 60 feet or wider. If you have a larger outdoor space, our team will work closely with you to design and install an enclosure that provides full coverage to your patio.

Outdoor Seating All Year Long

Many patrons enjoy dining outdoors but cold and wet conditions will discourage them from sitting outdoors without protection. Our enclosures makes it easy to provide your customers with a comfortable atmosphere throughout all seasons. Our unique manufacturing process allows our motorized windscreens to withstand winds of up to 65 mph and can be upgraded to be a hurricane-rated product.

Our enclosures can also be paired with our sun shade material, keeping harsh sun rays from overheating your patio and disturbing customers. Combined with climate control systems like heaters or misting fans, you’ll be able to keep patio customers comfortable and happy all year long.

Return on Investment

Business owners who have purchased our manual enclosures see a return on their investment within 2-3 months and our motorized enclosures get a return within 4-6 months. Our enclosure systems last significantly longer than our competitors because they are designed and manufactured to withstand extreme weather conditions and daily use. We stand behind our products 100% and offer a three-year warranty on any manufacturer’s defects.

Receive Your Free Quote Today!

Interested in learning more on how patio enclosures can increase your annual revenue? Contact us today at 512-782-8787 for a free quote!

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE