13 Front-of-House Upgrades That Win Repeat Visitors

You have a signature dish, but the only thing missing is a rewarding front-of-house (FOH) experience that really makes your menu shine.

A good FOH experience doesn't make guests wait or have to work to be seen. It should make guests feel comfortable and excited to be in your establishment. But taking a design approach can elevate your FOH experience to a whole new level. 

Remember, we're living in a grab-and-go, self-serve, digital world. Integrating these principles into your FOH design, while still offering tried-and-true traditional hospitality, is a game-changer.  

Sensory design, ADA wayfinding, loyalty programs, biophilic interiors, and curbside enhancements round out a fresh, new approach to your front-of-house strategy.    

1. Mobile Order Zones

You have a real opportunity here to maximize your mobile ordering profits. 

Create a designated area for mobile pickup and delivery drivers to prevent "traffic jams" with servers and guests. Install a "mobile pickup" sign that can be seen from the lobby. Use an alphabetical shelving system to streamline orders on busy days.  

2. Self-Serve Beverage Stations

Think about how often guests flag down a server for a water or soda refresh. Even with attentive service, guests grow thirsty quickly. 

Installing a self-serve beverage station is a game-changer. It speeds up the service cycle while offering guests more autonomy, making them feel more at home. 

Similar to mobile order zones, guests need a clear pathway to the beverage station without bumping into servers. You'll need to install ice machines for commercial use, and research vendors that carry your guests' favorite drinks. 

3. Charging Stations 

Whether it's someone enjoying lunch with a round of Candy Crush, working on a spreadsheet, or a group of college kids, smartphones are fully integrated into the guest experience. 

Installing charging stations for smartphones, laptops, and tablets can prevent guests from leaving early due to a dying battery. You also attract customers looking for more connected establishments for remote work.  

It's a great way to increase business during off-peak hours.   

4. Digital Integrations

On those occasions where guests do have to wait, you need digital monitors that display wait times. Install one for your mobile order zone, too, as it's bound to become more popular through third-party apps.  

Guests could also opt into SMS text alerts when their table is ready.

This is an opportunity to enhance your lobby with comfy seating, a merch section, and impulse buys. 

Install digital menu screens with automatic inventory updates; this prevents servers from having to inform guests that an item is out of stock. You can also advertise specials without getting out the chalkboard.    

5. Loyalty Programs

Visible digital integration is also a chance to generate more loyalty program sign-ups. 

Guests could sign up by scanning QR codes in the lobby or on menus. Require email logins for mobile ordering. Offer new member discounts for first-time sign-ups.

Launch a digital loyalty card that allows guests to easily redeem points when paying at the front desk.

6. Acoustic Treatments

One of the biggest pet peeves for guests is noise. 

Fortunately, you can address this problem through decorative acoustic wall panels that reduce echo. Ceiling baffles and acoustic partitions further reduce noise and reverberation levels, allowing guests to actually hear their conversations.

7. Strategic Lighting

A simple lighting adjustment can go a long way in making your guests feel more comfortable.

Ambient and warm lighting promotes a sense of calm, while dimmable lighting allows management to adjust lighting when needed.

You can also use lighting to delineate zones in your restaurant.

8. Smart Temperature Zoning

Make sure every zone in your establishment is just as comfortable as the next. Installing smart HVAC controls allows you to adjust zone temperatures based on sunlight and occupancy. 

9. Professional Scent Strategy

Think about the scents wafting out of your restaurant, permeating the lobby, and drifting throughout the main floor. 

What you don't want is unwanted kitchen odors or cleaning chemicals cutting through. Citrus and fresh herbs help mask unpleasant odors without overpowering pleasant aromas.  

10. Visible Cleanliness Cues

Cleanliness is critically important to restaurant guests. In this post-pandemic environment, guests and establishments are more attuned to hygiene than ever before.

Upgrade your bathrooms with touchless faucets and high-quality soap dispensers. 316-grade stainless steel also makes bathrooms more hygienic. 

11. Biophilic Design

Similar to good lighting, greenery also promotes a sense of calm in guests. It's so popular that more restaurants are integrating biophilic design features like living walls, along with hanging plants and potted trees.

12. ADA Wayfinding and Accessibility

Take an inclusivity-first approach to your upgrades. 

Install high-contrast, braille, and audio signage. Ensure everyone has space to navigate and feel at home, from wheelchair-bound guests to elderly patrons and parents with strollers.   

Ensure bathroom doors are large and stalls are equipped with safety rails. Design accessibility features into your lobby remodel. 

13. Improve Curbside Flow

Curb appeal and curbside flow are often overlooked in the guest experience conversation, but they're vital to guests' perceptions and memories. 

It all starts with the parking lot. Add more parking spaces if demand consistently exceeds supply. Designate spaces for mobile orders and curbside pickup. 

Of course, invest in curb appeal, like fresh exteriors, warm entrance lighting, and decorative landscaping.  

Give Your Front-of-House the Upgrade It Deserves

Don't leave anything on the table when it comes to your guest experience. 

Perform a complete FOH audit to see where you can improve and innovate. Think about the potential of digital integrations, mobile ordering, sensory strategies, ADA inclusivity, and the power of your curbside.   

Your guests will thank you (with a 5-star review!)