Owning your own restaurant is something to be proud of. But just as important as the incredible food inside, is the appearance outside. One of the most underrated ways you can market your food is through your curb appeal. That means clean restaurant windows, clear signage, and a little creativity.
People won’t know how good your food is until you get them in the door, so here are a few ways to make that happen.
1. Invest in Eye-Catching Signage
Signage helps people know who you are and what you do. Investing in a good designer and making sure you have well-lit, easy-to-read, and well-maintained signage will help you showcase your restaurant visually.
Ideas for Standout Signage
- Use fonts and color schemes that align with your brand. While your style may break traditional colors and themes, make sure the design makes sense.
- Take advantage of digital signage. According to a survey of restaurant owners, 70% of respondents reported increased foot traffic when using digital signage in street-facing windows.
- Advertise specials and new menu items. Chalkboard signs or whiteboards make it easy to showcase daily or weekly changes.
Remember, your signage sets the stage before diners even walk through the door. Make it count.
2. Keep Windows Sparkling Clean
Have you ever walked by a restaurant and thought “Man, that food looks so good…”? And you probably didn’t think about how clean the windows were that you were staring through. Details matter. If those windows were dirty, the food inside becomes a whole lot less appealing (that is, if you can even see it).
Window Cleaning Tips
- Clean them regularly—at least once a week, and maybe more depending on your location.
- Hire a professional restaurant window cleaning service and set up a regular cleaning schedule to keep your windows sparkling and maintain a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
Don’t skimp on keeping your windows clean. It can influence whether or not people decide to stop.
3. Maintain a Clean Facade
Nothing turns people away faster than if your building looks like it might be abandoned. Peeling paint, weather stains, or graffiti are all signals that the inside might be just as bad. However, with regular maintenance, you can keep your facade clean and inviting.
How to Refresh Your Facade
- Perform regular facade cleaning along with your restaurant window cleaning to get rid of dirt and weather stains.
- Repaint faded areas. While neutral colors fade less over time, choosing bright accent colors that you’re willing to repaint can enhance your exterior.
- Hire professional cleaning services like Downtown Window Cleaning to thoroughly clean your facade without damaging the surfaces.
4. Add Some Greenery
Landscaping is a fun way to decorate the outside of your restaurant. While you may not have space for grand topiaries or interesting rock gardens, there are always simple ways to spruce things up.
Landscaping Ideas for Restaurants
- Arrange potted plants near your entrance.
- Use seasonal flowers to keep the look fresh and vibrant.
- Install hanging baskets if ground space is limited.
Greenery is a nice way to add some freshness and vibrancy to your restaurant. Plus, choosing the right plants can add a lovely scent to outdoor areas.
5. Add Outdoor Seating
When the weather is nice, outdoor seating is a popular option to provide variety and more space to your restaurant. Even in crowded downtown areas, you might have room for a few small chairs and tables outside.
Tips for Great Outdoor Seating
- Invest in comfortable seating and tables with shade options, like umbrellas or awnings. Nothing is worse than getting sunburned or sweating through a nice meal.
- Decorate the area with string lights. This is especially fun at night, adding to your restaurant’s charm.
- Add heaters when it gets colder. Keep your outdoor seating accessible in the winter and make any outdoor lines comfortable by warming up the area.
Outdoor seating isn’t a must, but definitely adds to how people see your restaurant.
6. Deep Clean with Power Washing
Power washing is also a great way to refresh your exterior, especially in a busy city. Dirt and grime build up quickly, because of things like pollution and the large quantity of residents. Regularly cleaning your sidewalks and exterior surfaces will help your business look good and help the environment.
Power Washing Tips
- Pre-soak stubborn stains with cleaner before power washing.
- Always test on a small area to make sure the pressure won’t cause damage.
- Hire a professional to save on time and equipment costs.
If you have any concerns, contact a professional. Power washing companies are trained to handle their equipment so your surfaces are clean and protected. Many restaurant window cleaning companies like Downtown Window Cleaning provide power washing.
7. Incorporate Interactive Elements
Incorporating interactive elements in your design may not work for every business. But if it works for you, it can be a great way to promote your restaurant in creative ways.
Ideas for Interactivity
- Photo walls or murals where people can take pictures and tag your restaurant on social media.
- Add water features like fountains, small waterfalls, and koi ponds.
- Use sculptures to represent culture or style. Greek or Roman-style statues can add class and elegance, while Chinese guardian lions symbolize good fortune.
There are many ways to incorporate your brand and style into your restaurant’s exterior. Get creative!
Make a Great First Impression with Downtown Window Cleaning
First impressions matter, and your exterior is the way to get more customers in your restaurant. From eye-catching signage and clean windows to incorporating interactive elements and maintaining a clean facade, there are many ways you can make your restaurant’s exterior more inviting.
For more professional help, contact Downtown Window Cleaning. With help from a local New York expert in restaurant window cleaning, you can worry less about the outside of your restaurant and focus more on the great food inside. Contact us for a quote and discover how we can enhance your curb appeal!
