Outdoor catering - Guide for 365-day outdoor operation
Outdoor catering - Guide for 365-day outdoor operation
Outdoor catering permit: the most important requirement
You would like to set up an outdoor area for your restaurant where your guests can enjoy your culinary offerings in the fresh air and wonderful atmosphere. But before you can start enjoying yourself, you need to overcome a few bureaucratic hurdles as a restaurant operator.
Before opening an outdoor catering area, you need an outdoor catering permit. As a rule, a special use permit is required, which you can apply for from your local authority or city council.
Further information on the requirements for the special permit and other regulations for outdoor catering can be found in our magazine article “Regulations for outdoor catering”.
Preparation - finding the right place
Hand in hand with submitting a special use permit for outdoor catering goes the choice of the location where you want to establish the outdoor area. Depending on whether it is a backyard, a garden, the sidewalk in front of your restaurant or a section of the pedestrian zone, different regulations apply that must be observed when applying. You should also consider the following points:
Storage of outdoor furniture
As soon as the doors to your outdoor dining area are closed overnight, it is important to protect the furniture from the weather and potential theft. Wire ropes with a lock are a quick and easy solution to protect your furniture against theft. If tables and chairs are outdoors, you can use covers to protect them from the rain.
If you don't use your outdoor area during the cold season, you need a permanent solution to store your furniture for this period. Even if they are weatherproof models, they will last longer if they are stored in a shed, cellar or storage room.
Outdoor catering: calculation and financing
As many advantages as setting up an outdoor catering area brings, it is usually also associated with considerable costs. It is therefore essential that you draw up a precise plan in advance of how you would like to design your outdoor area:
- Are construction measures necessary (e.g. electricity or water pipes)?
- What purchases are necessary?
- Do you need additional staff?
- Do you need to take out insurance?
This planning is essential for calculating the costs and subsequent financing of the outdoor area.
To-dos for your outdoor catering - detailed planning
As soon as you have found a suitable, barrier-free location for your outdoor catering and obtained the necessary permits, it's time to get down to business. Now you can take a detailed look at the choice of furniture and decorations, the menu and further planning. You should bear these points in mind:
Outdoor vs. indoor style
A big question you should ask yourself is how you want to present your outdoor area in relation to your indoor area. Of course, you can continue the design concept you have chosen for your indoor space in your outdoor area. Alternatively, you can choose a different style for your outdoor area, for example by opting for different colors or more plants. But be careful! The basic atmosphere in the indoor and outdoor areas should match to create a harmonious overall picture for your guests. You should therefore take particular care when choosing your outdoor dining furniture and matching decorations to find your style. Also remember that the tables and chairs for your outdoor area must be made of weatherproof materials. That way, they will last you a long time. You can find more important information on this topic in our detailed material guide for outdoor furniture .
Optimized menu for outdoor catering
A well-thought-out menu for outdoor catering is another mainstay for your business. It often makes sense to offer an adapted menu on this menu to simplify the ordering, preparation and service process. Lighter, summery dishes such as salads, grill platters or cold starters are ideal for hot days, while hearty soups or hearty dishes are convincing in the conservatory. The current trend towards outdoor cooking allows your kitchen to showcase your cooking skills live - from barbecues in summer to spectacular BBQ events or winter fire bowl menus with a Christmas feel. This also reduces the workload for service staff, as guests are served directly in the outdoor area. In addition, special outdoor events such as seasonal beer gardens or Christmas markets create special experiences all year round. At the same time, outdoor catering offers numerous cross-selling and upselling opportunities: Your service staff can actively recommend matching drinks or desserts and promote combination menus at a special price (e.g. “coffee and cake”).
Number of guests
To enable careful planning before opening your outdoor area, you should consider how many guests you can cater for there. This number will depend on your capacity as well as the space. Keep in mind that the outdoor space can also be used in wet or cool weather if you provide your guests with weather protection such as large umbrellas, a canopy or patio covers. This allows you to welcome a larger number of guests all year round and extend the outdoor season.
How many staff do you need?
Depending on the level of service you want to offer in your outdoor area, you will need sufficient staff to provide this solution. Are you opting for table service or self-service? Make sure in advance that you hire enough colleagues so that you have enough staff even when it is busy or in the event of illness. Also make sure that the walking routes for your staff are short and as barrier-free as possible. If possible, a separate outdoor kitchen or at least one weatherproof service station can help to provide quick access to fresh crockery, cutlery or napkins and to dispose of waste. The clearing process is simplified by practical serving trolleys on which the dishes from several tables can be cleared away.
Technical equipment and efficient checkout system
You should also think about the technical equipment for your outdoor area. Make sure you have all the necessary connections for electricity and water. Many of your guests will appreciate a good Wi-Fi connection. A fast network also ensures that digital gastronomy tools such as tablets and EC devices work without any problems. However, this also requires an efficient POS system that allows customers to pay quickly and cashlessly directly at the table.
Outdoor catering in winter - is that possible?
In summer, it goes without saying that a terrace or garden should, if possible, be used as an outdoor area for catering: Outside is the new inside. But what about in winter? Many people actually want to enjoy drinks and delicious food outside and spend time with friends and family, even in cooler temperatures. Especially during the Advent season, you can create a Christmas market atmosphere with hot drinks such as mulled wine, hot chocolate or punch. To make your guests as comfortable as possible, it is worth investing in various measures to protect them from the weather and cold:
- Sunshades: While sunshades can protect you from harmful UV rays in summer and even keep out short rain showers, they are less suitable for winter with lots of precipitation and wind. Instead, use awnings, windbreaks or even tents to create a sheltered outdoor area.
- Radiant heaters: Special heating devices, especially radiant heaters, provide additional warmth in outdoor areas. An environmentally friendly method can be infrared radiant heaters, which produce heat quickly and emit less CO2 compared to classic, gas-powered radiant heaters.
- Blankets and cushions: Blankets and cushions, which can be placed on chairs and loungers, also create a cozy flair in your outdoor dining area. Not only are they cozy and warm, they also help you to give your outdoor area an individual touch that fits in perfectly with your furnishing concept.
Outdoor catering all year round - with LUSINI
Turn your outdoor area into an oasis of well-being - 365 days a year! With the right outdoor furniture, decorations and a good concept, your outdoor gastronomy will be a success. In the LUSINI range, you will find a variety of products in different styles that will ideally emphasize your atmosphere. Find your favorites now!