Commercial Furniture Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Restaurant Furniture Supplier
Jan 24th 2024
Picking the right furniture supplier is key for any restaurant owner. It’s more than just finding tables and chairs that look nice; it’s about finding someone who can provide durable, high-quality pieces that fit the style of your restaurant’s brand.
About 60% of new restaurants fail within the first year, often because of operational errors and going over budget. Knowing how to choose the right restaurant furniture supplier can improve your establishment’s chances of success and lasting operation.
Get tips on selecting commercial furniture suppliers and learn the important questions to ask to ensure your dining space looks inviting and stands the test of time.
Why You Need Quality Restaurant Furniture
The look and feel of your restaurant are key to attracting and keeping customers. It’s what people notice first and remember last. Good furniture is essential for setting the right mood. Whether you want a cozy, rustic feel or a modern, stylish setting, the furniture you pick plays a big role in how your restaurant looks.
A 2023 study by the Center for Nutritional Psychology found that the ambiance and aesthetic value of a customer’s surroundings influenced their perception of the food. Participants described dishes as better tasting and smelling and more visually appealing in beautiful dining areas. This highlights the importance of your restaurant’s décor in attracting customers and ensuring they return.
The satisfaction of your customers with your restaurant goes beyond just enjoying the meals; it’s about their entire experience, from the moment they enter to when they depart. This encompasses how they perceive your establishment throughout their visit.
Having comfortable and thoughtfully designed furniture is crucial in ensuring guests are visually satisfied and physically at ease during their time with you. For example, chairs that encourage a comfortable sitting position and tables that are appropriately sized and at the right height for your dining style can boost how happy customers are with their experience.
How to Choose the Perfect Restaurant Furniture Supplier
Your furniture supplier should work closely with you to make your restaurant’s dining area looks exactly how you envision it. But it can be challenging to find a company that meets these expectations. Use these tips to help you find the best restaurant furniture supplier for your business:
Research and recommendation. Start by looking for suppliers who specialize in commercial restaurant furniture and have an extensive range of products. Online forums, industry publications, and social media groups dedicated to restaurant owners can be goldmines for information.
Supplier’s reputation. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential suppliers, dig a little deeper into their reputation. How long have they been in business? What do their customers say about them in reviews? A supplier with a solid track record of reliability and quality demonstrates their commitment to excellence.
Evaluating the quality of products. Don’t compromise on quality to get a lower price. Your restaurant furniture needs to withstand wear and tear from years of use and high customer turnover rates.
Pricing comparison. While price shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it’s important when working within a budget. Get a quote from your supplier to make sure they can match your budget. Remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best in the long run. Consider the value for money and how the furniture’s quality will serve your restaurant over time.
Supplier’s customer service. Good customer service means you have a responsive, helpful supplier willing to go the extra mile to ensure you’re satisfied with your purchase. This includes answering questions, providing detailed product information, and resolving issues promptly. A supplier with excellent customer service will likely offer a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Delivery and installation services. You also need to consider the logistics. Does the supplier offer delivery and installation services? Reliable and timely delivery is essential, especially if you’re working on a tight schedule to open or renovate your restaurant. If they don’t offer installation services, ensure they have clear instructions and guides available so you can easily build or install the chairs and tables yourself.
Don’t overlook the power of a good recommendation, either. Reach out to fellow restaurant owners or managers in your network to see if they have any suppliers they trust. Personal experiences shared by peers can often lead you to reliable suppliers you might not have discovered otherwise.
Request samples or visit the supplier’s showroom if possible. Examine the materials, finishes, and construction of the furniture. Look for rugged high-grade steel, injection-molded or thermoformed plastic, and premium vinyl upholstery. Pay attention to details like struts to support chairs, non-scratch table surfaces, and leg levelers or pads underneath legs to protect your floors.
If you have a tight budget but still want high-quality items, choose a supplier with an extensive overstock supply. Many suppliers are willing to sell overstock at lower prices to make room for new stock.
Questions to Ask Potential Suppliers
Before you decide on a furniture supplier for your restaurant or business, you need to know the right questions to ask. This will help you determine if they’re a good fit for what you need in terms of quality, reliability, and service. Here are some important questions to ask to ensure you pick a supplier that meets your needs:
What materials do you use, and how do you ensure the durability and longevity of the furniture?
It’s important to ask your restaurant furniture supplier about the materials they use and how they make sure their furniture will last. This question gives you a clear picture of whether you’re investing in quality pieces that won’t need replacing anytime soon.
You want to know if the tables and chairs can handle daily wear and tear, keeping your restaurant looking good and your guests comfortable without the hassle of constant repairs or replacements.
At Seats and Stools, we use premium materials like the tubular steel in our Breuer Cesca Chairs and genuine Naugahyde grade 6 vinyl upholstery to ensure your restaurant’s seating is built to last.
Do you offer customizable furniture options?
Find out whether a supplier provides options for customizing furniture, particularly if your restaurant follows a specific theme or has unique design requirements. Confirm that they can adjust their standard offerings or design new pieces to align seamlessly with your concept. This adaptability ensures your restaurant maintains a cohesive aesthetic, setting it apart and offering your customers a unique dining experience.
Our Build Your Own Breuer Chair service enables you to choose your preferred frame, seat, backrest and finishes to create bespoke seating for your space. We also offer custom logo seating, with your brand printed onto our high-grade upholstery.
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
Ask about minimum order requirements, especially if your restaurant is on the smaller side and doesn’t require large quantities of each item. This is crucial for budget management.
Dealing with suppliers who impose high minimum orders could lead to overspending or having to store extra furniture. Getting this information early on allows you to select a supplier that fits your business size and prevents you from stretching your budget thin or managing surplus furniture.
At Seats and Stools, we don’t require a minimum order quantity for all items. However, certain chair models, such as the Clear-Coat Steel Chair with Black Vinyl Cushion, are available in multiples of 8, and our Iceberg Rough n' Ready Folding Chairs come in sets of 4. We offer a wide selection of chairs, including our Curved Bucket Chair, that can be ordered as individual units, providing flexibility for your specific needs.
What is your policy on damaged or defective items upon delivery?
Always ask the supplier about their policy for dealing with items that arrive damaged or aren’t what you expected. This step is crucial to avoid extra costs or delays in opening your restaurant. Knowing what the supplier does in these situations helps ensure you don’t end up paying for replacements or waiting too long to get everything in place.
At Seats and Stools, we put customer satisfaction first. If you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, you can return items within seven days of delivery, excluding shipping fees. Returns need prior authorization and must be in new condition, with original packaging. Refunds are issued once the returned items have been inspected.
Do you carry replacement parts for your furniture?
Restaurant furniture can sustain wear and tear over time, and accidents can happen. Access to the exact replacement parts you need for your furniture means you can repair or restore your damaged furniture rather than replace the entire item. This will save you substantial money long-term.
Seats and Stools offers a massive selection of replacement parts, including Breuer cane seats, backs, glides, caps, and screws, ensuring your restaurant furniture stays in top condition.
What is your lead time from order to delivery?
Knowing the delivery timeframe from when you place your order to when it arrives is essential for your restaurant’s timely opening or refurbishment. It ensures your furniture arrives when needed, avoiding any hold-ups in getting your space ready. This foresight can keep your project on track, allowing your restaurant to open or get back to business on schedule, with a fully equipped dining area set to greet your guests.
Seats and Stools ensure all cane products are readily available and ship within one week. By adopting a “one order at a time” approach, we manage to keep inventory costs low, allowing us to offer competitive factory-direct pricing. However, custom-made upholstery pieces require a production time of 4-5 weeks.
Upon shipment, you’ll receive a FedEx tracking number via email to monitor your order’s delivery. Any issues with the order should be reported within 48 hours of receipt.
Outfit Your Restaurant With High-Quality Commercial Furniture From Seats and Stools
Knowing how to choose a restaurant furniture supplier ensures that your dining space matches your vision for your brand. Whether updating your restaurant décor or outfitting a new establishment, Seats and Stools has the tables and chairs you need to make a big impression on your guests.
Explore our full selection of chairs, from vintage mid-century modern to contemporary designs, and find the perfect models to elevate your interior. Or contact us today for information about custom orders.