Work uniforms impact your restaurant in ways you likely never thought possible. Customers notice the small stuff when dining out, and it’s the little things that affect their opinion of a restaurant and overall dining experience. Wait staff uniforms send a message to customers, letting them know your restaurant staff is ready to go above and beyond to satisfy their hunger needs. Uniforms make your business more desirable to finers, building trust and a rapport with them. Read below as we discuss the importance of work uniforms for your wait staff.
Why your wait staff need uniforms
Restaurants can spend money investing in new products, building decor, and other improvements, but should set aside funds for uniforms. It’s an investment that pays for itself in no time at all. Read below to learn more about the perks investing in work uniforms offers your business.
1. First Impressions Matter
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. This saying holds in life and within the hospitality industry. Studies show it takes a few seconds for customers to form an opinion about a business. Within those first few seconds, customers who see well-designed, clean uniforms on happy employees create a sense of well-being and trust.
Researchers from the Journal of Business Research concluded that restaurants using uniforms improve the customer perception of service quality. They are more likely to expect top-tier service when they see wait staff in coordinated attire that fits the vibe of your restaurant.
2. Comfort Throughout The Shift
Your wait staff stand on their feet and work long hours. They need comfortably fitting uniforms that allow them to freely move around during those dinner rushes when crowds pour into your facility. Uniforms are designed for comfort thanks to the breathable, flexible fabrics.
3. Wait Staff Become Easily Identifiable
Customers should easily be able to identify the wait staff. Uniforms make it easy to pick them out of a crowd. When customers can easily identify wait staff and other employees, it streamlines their dining experience and makes them feel more comfortable asking for help. This added comfort leads to an overall more positive experience for customers.
4. Brand Consistency
Whether you own a franchise restaurant or a local eatery, building your brand in the community is essential for success. The competition is stiff, and customers have options. Creating brand consistency is essential when you want customers who remember your company name, recommend it to others, and patronize your establishment often.
5. Create a Positive Work Environment
Employees might prefer wearing personal clothing to work, but doing so can lead to numerous concerns and risk portraying your restaurant negatively. Stylish and comfy work uniforms create a sense of belonging, encourage teamwork, and take pride in the workplace. When employees feel welcomed and like part of a team, it translates to better service from wait staff willing to go the extra mile to ensure customers are satisfied with their experience at your establishment.
6. Show Your Staff You Care
Do you take time to appreciate and value your employees? Many studies indicate that employees often feel undervalued and unappreciated by their employers, leading to poor work performance, high turnover rates, and unnecessary stress. Providing work uniforms is one simple way to show appreciation for your employees. As mentioned, happy employees result in happy customers who recommend your brand and return for subsequent visits. Show your staff how important they are to your business by providing stylish uniforms that vibe with your restaurant.
7. Plethora of Stylish Uniform Options
Stylish uniforms come in a plethora of stylish options that allow you to represent your restaurant uniquely while employees express their individuality. From fun and colorful shirts and polos to aprons and khaki pants, your staff can look stylish and professional in uniforms that create an amazing vibe.
Employees can always add their personal touches like watches, barrettes, and bracelets to create a unique look that allows them to stand out from the crowd and showcase his or her personalities.
What to Look For When Buying Uniforms
The selection of uniform styles, colors, and products ensures businesses of every style and genre have ample choices. No matter what you envision for your wait staff, the uniform options allow you to make it happen.
Know what you want before investing in restaurant uniforms.
Factors that should weigh on your choice of uniform include:
- Your Budget: Decide a comfortable amount of money for work uniforms. Stick as closely to this number as possible.
- Type of Uniform: The type of dining establishment you operate affects the uniform selection process. For example, casual dining establishments may want relaxed uniforms, while casual restaurants prefer formal attire.
- Colors: Whether investing in shirts, hats, pants, buttons, or other uniform attire, you can choose from several colors and design options. Decide how you want your uniforms to look before starting the purchase process. Always choose colors that enhance your brand and make it easily recognizable from other restaurants.
- Fabric: Shirts, aprons, and other uniform pieces come in several fabric choices, including cotton. The most popular work uniform fabric, cotton is lightweight and comfortable, keeping employees comfortable throughout their shifts.
- Staff Input: Get input from your wait staff. When employees like their uniforms, they wear them with pride. Wait staff wear the pieces several hours daily and know what they want and need in the pieces. Their input can be extremely valuable for your uniform investment.
Above all else, select uniforms that offer aesthetic appeal. Stylish uniforms leave an impression on customers and employees.
Final Thoughts
Customers have choices when it is time to find out. When you provide uniforms to wait staff, you are taking a step toward creating a comfortable, desirable environment for employees and customers. It plays a crucial role in your restaurant’s success as customers remember restaurants with polished, professional employees.