(This sponsored article by Libbey® originally appeared in the July 2018 issue of Entrepreneurial Chef Magazine)
Lazy summer days. Long, warm nights. Not much feels more relaxing or carefree than dining outside in beautiful weather. And few choices are more profitable than providing your guests with a place to eat al fresco. In fact, providing outdoor dining can increase revenue by up to 30%, according to a study by the Simons Advisory Group.
Whether it’s for the patio, sidewalk in front, or up on the rooftop, here are five ways to elevate your outdoor dining experiences and maximize your investment with refreshing tabletop solutions from Libbey®.
GET THE WORD OUT #alfresco
Be the first place guests think of for enjoying the fresh air. In addition to entrance signs advertising your outdoor space, making it picture-perfect and Instagram-ready encourages your guests to spread the word themselves.
New innovative tableware options from Libbey® mean you don’t have to compromise looks for durability – helping your socially shareable presentations look their best under the sky and drawing more guests to fill your patio day and night.
SERVE IT UP
Whether for heaping family-style portions, appetizers or “build your own” experiences, your serveware helps set the stage for a versatile tabletop that gives guest’s the flexibility they want.
Now, it’s easier to serve up big experiences outside, without the heavy porcelain platters. New outdoor-friendly melamine, premium plastic and aluminum serveware options from Libbey® introduce attractive and worry-free durability, along with lower weight that lightens the load for your staff.
New Farmhouse® and Driftstone melamine options from Libbey’s World® tableware complement the look of existing porcelain options, making them even more versatile workhorses inside and outside. And new Infinium® WakeTM serveware brings the same durability and enduring beauty of the Infinium drinkware selection to a range of flexible new options.
DRINK IN THE PROFITS
More than 40% of Millennials said they spent more money on alcohol when dining outdoors, according to a survey by Study Hall Research and FSR magazine. Elevate your distinctive drinks with upscale, trendy vessels that are ideal for outdoor environments.
Infinium® premium plastic drinkware complements its new matching serveware options, letting you bring the same high style to your beverage service. Your guests won’t believe it’s not glass until they pick it up. You can also choose the Wake™ pattern that adds a distinctive textured design to your beverage presentations.
Made of 100% BPA-free Tritan™ copolyester, all Infinium options are virtually unbreakable – more durable than acrylic, SAN or polycarbonate.
BRING THE FUNK
Enhance the casual, relaxed atmosphere of outdoor spaces with a unique twist on the usual presentation. For instance, Libbey’s new aluminum sheet pans let you add an unexpected touch of eclectic style to impress your guests.
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Think beyond wine or beer flights and surprise your guests with a variety of food and beverage pairings. Try providing ultimate flexibility by letting them customize their own samplers with a broad array of tempting options to choose from. Flights encourage guests to explore, while commanding a premium price.
GET MORE OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVES
To explore more ways that Libbey’s fresh tabletop solutions help you turn today’s trends into amazing guest experiences and big profits, ask your Libbey® sales representative for a copy of our new 2018 re:FRESH product introduction LookBook or visit foodservice.libbey.com
