Your storefront is the first contact your customers have with your restaurant. To guarantee an immediate "coup de foudre", or at least to arouse the interest and leave a lasting impression on passers-by, it's important to look after the front of your establishment. Let us prove it to you in 3 easy steps!
We'll then reveal 7 tips to make your shop window a success and attract new customers.
3 reasons to look after your restaurant's facade
Why should you take care of your restaurant's exterior design? Think of it as...
1. Effective sales leverage
Your restaurant's exterior is the first thing customers see. Does it convince them to come in? Your storefront is a powerful selling point, as its design helps attract new diners.
By refining the look of your establishment right down to the outside, you're letting customers know that you're leaving nothing to chance. People will see it as a promise of a warm welcome, meticulous interior design, attentive staff, tasty food and so on.
2. A way to increase your visibility
A well-groomed facade and an attractive window display will let passers-by know that you're there and attract their attention. Surprise, curiosity, seduction - you'd be wrong to miss out on this great advertising opportunity!
Among the succession of bland storefronts, yours will capture their attention and it's your name they'll remember. You'll also increase the chances of it being relayed on social networks or generating word-of-mouth.
You can also use all the effort you've put into creating your shop window and renovating your facade to make your point from a distance. There's no reason why passers-by should be the only ones to benefit! So don't hesitate to take photos and share them on your social networks, your website or your Google business profile.
3. A way to stand out from the competition
An attractive storefront and an original window display will catch the eye where those of your competitors will go unnoticed. Their design is therefore an excellent differentiating factor! Attention to detail says a lot about the store itself and the experience you're about to offer consumers. If they don't immediately push open the door of your establishment, they' ll remember you and come back next time.
👉 To find out more: How can you attract more customers to your restaurant?
7 tips for a successful restaurant window display
Attractive, welcoming and original, your shop window needs to combine a number of assets! Discover 7 tips to ensure that the aesthetics of your window display are a genuine invitation to enter your restaurant.
1. Maintain the front of your sign
It's impossible to talk about a shop window without talking about the facade, which will reveal its full potential. At the very least, you need a well-maintained storefront, excellent signage with the name clearly legible, and all mandatory signage. Don't forget the menu outside!
Every detail counts! Colors, materials, shapes and layout will all have an impact on how customers perceive your establishment, and whether or not they'll walk through the door. A storefront with badly washed windows and faded paint won't stand up to a storefront with exposed brickwork, a large glass door and a strong brand identity identity.
👉 Further information: Mandatory signage in restaurants: the rules you need to know
2. Pay attention to colorimetry
Before you start decorating your shop window or revamping your facade, take the time to think about the colors you'll be using. The colors inside the restaurant, those of the various elements in the window and those of the storefront must form a harmonious whole. They must be coherent, matched and take up the colors of your brand and graphic identity .
3. Take care of your storefront lighting
The lighting shouldn't be too aggressive, but present enough so that passers-by don't have to squint to see what's there. Use a variety of light sources, both natural and artificial, and season them with contrasting lighting to create different moods. This will greatly enhance your restaurant's appeal, especially at night. To avoid adding too much to your energy bill, make sure you choose the right lighting wattage and low-consumption equipment.
4. Define a theme
Keep in mind that your shop window and facade should be areflection of your concept, a sort of introduction to your establishment. Brightness and color are certainly important, but substance remains the priority. Without reading the name of your sign, or even looking at the menu, customers need to know what kind of restaurant they're dealing with. Is it an establishment serving world cuisine, fast food, a bistro, a gourmet restaurant? Both the front and the window must reflect your brand image and positioning.
5. Renew your shop window
While the facade only needs a facelift every 10 years, the shop window needs regular renewal. Why is this? Because the appearance of everything in it will eventually fade. Dust and sunlight are the main culprits, but fashion is also a factor. What was trendy at the beginning of the year may not be so in the following months. Regularly refreshing your window also means recreating surprise and wonder for passers-by who no longer bother to turn their head to look.
Running out of inspiration? You can always put a twist on the holidays and events that punctuate our calendar. And don't hesitate to call on an interior designer who specializes in commercial decorating.
6. Green your exteriors
Last but by no means least: plant your exteriors. When it comes to decoration, plants are a sure bet. They're inviting and radiate a friendly, Zen atmosphere. Creeping up the facade, on the ground in planters or installed high up in hanging pots, customers will be inexorably drawn to this green setting.
Are you one of the lucky ones with a terrace? Multiply the presence of plants to offer your guests a little corner of nature out of sight.
7. Use your shop window as a reception area
Where stores display their products, some restaurateurs don't hesitate to use the window - the part of the restaurant visible from the street - to set up tables. Beyond saving space, what better selling point than customers enjoying a convivial moment while tasting your dishes? It allows passers-by to capture the atmosphere in the blink of an eye.
You've got all the ideas you need, and your creativity is just waiting to express itself... So much the better! Now all you have to do is contact your local planning department to find out about the regulations in force in your area and obtain the necessary permits to carry out your project.
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Did you like these tips? Don't hesitate to consult our other articles on our blog to help you develop your business!
Innovorder is the leader in digital solutions for commercial and institutional foodservice. Our team supports restaurateurs in their digital transformation with a complete ecosystem.
