Did you know that updating your restaurant tablecloths and other linens can breathe new life into your business? If you thought your choice of commercial table coverings were yesterday’s news, think again! Despite an age where the sleek and modern often prevail, research indicates that traditional table toppers are far from obsolete.
Tableware Impacts Customer Ratings
For example, a recent study on dining habits and consumer perceptions established that the quality of a restaurant’s tablecloths has a positive impact on diners’ eating-out experience. Not only did participants report a preference for fabric versus paper linens and rate a restaurant’s service higher when their table was draped with a quality fabric tablecloth, but a whopping 75% of diners considered table linen as important as the food they were eating.
Also supporting the claim that ambiance and decor still matter in foodservice are Journal of Consumer Research studies which suggest that the effect of table linen can go as far as dramatically changing consumers’ perception of their food, meaning that only a small change in the eating environment you provide can go a long way in earning customers’ favor.
Restaurant Ambiance Matters
Whether you run a restaurant, bar, bakery, coffee shop, pizzeria, ice cream parlor, fast food joint, or catering service, you have a golden opportunity to optimize your business and increase traffic by merely paying attention to the ambiance in your establishment. Just like restaurant dinnerware plays a major role in the ambiance, so does the type of table covers you choose. These factors can have a powerful effect on the vibe and image your place portrays – from five-star and first-class to laid-back and casual.
How to Choose Table Linens
The good news is that there is no right or wrong napkin, tablecloth, table skirt, or placemat. The key is to mix and match all the elements in a way that suits the atmosphere you want to create and the practical realities of your dining space.
And there is more good news: The variety of options awaiting you has expanded over time and linen selections range from the super-elegant (think satin-banded cotton) to the super-simple (think paper-rolls) and everything in between. Not sure which table wear is the best fit for your ‘biz? Let’s look at the types of table linens available today that you can wisely all to your shopping list.
Cloth Tablecloths
When it comes to commercial applications, cloth tablecloths are the way color to go if you are seeking a classic feel with an elegant look. Machine washable and hence reusable, they are the top pick of most upper scale restaurants, catering services, hotels, and banquet halls.
The following is a list of the most common cloth tablecloths on the market:
- 100% Polyester: Topping the list are 100% polyester tablecloths, which are lint-free as well as shrink-, wrinkle-, and stain-resistant. In other words, they wash and wear well, will not shrink in your dryer, and will not absorb liquids in case of a spill.
- Polycotton: Next in line are polycotton tablecloths. Made from a 50% cotton and 50% polyester blend, they are a top choice among restaurant and bar owners due to their affordability, good looks, and practicality. On the one hand, they have the attractiveness of cotton and on the other hand they have the strength and durability of polyester. Adding to their list of benefits is that they wash well, are quick to dry, and are more crease-resistant than their cotton counterparts.
- Cotton: Cotton tablecloths come draped in benefits: They breathe naturally, do not collect static, and lay smoothly and easily on any tabletop or surface. White cotton tablecloths, convey an air of quality, making it easy to upgrade the look of your dining space. However, if white leaves your customers feeling a little bland, be sure to check out the myriad of colored and patterned cotton tablecloths that offer a fresh look and one-of-a-kind allure.
- Satin Band: Considered royalty in the industry, satin band tablecloths are the utmost in luxurious table linen. 100% cotton with a sleek satin band finish, you can join the finest hotels and restaurants and add refinement to your foodservice by investing in the best.
Vinyl and Plastic Tablecloths
If you are hungry for a table covering that is efficient, decorative, and affordable to boot, you may be in the market for a vinyl tablecloth. Frequently made from PVC- an acronym for a type of vinyl called Poly Vinyl Chloride – PVC tablecloths are easy to wipe and clean and are designed to protect the surface of your tables from liquid spills, scratches, and stains. Popular in both indoor and outdoor venues, these table toppers also add color and decoration to any event. Best of all, they do not require laundering, can economically be used repeatedly, and you can play with their designs to fit any season, theme, or cuisine-type your eatery is featuring.
Plastic tablecloths are another savvy option that restaurateurs are increasingly choosing. Their primary claim-to-fame is being 100% waterproof on both sides, thus assuring that your tables remain dry even after spills and messes occur. Thanks to new-and-improved research-and-development techniques, many of today’s plastic tablecloths even resemble real linen, offering your guests the look of luxury at prices both you and they can afford. Also available are heavy duty reusable plastic varieties which are especially durable and guaranteed to not rip or tear easily. Finally, low-maintenance plastic table toppings come in myriads of colors and patterns, making them super-versatile as well as super-efficient and fun.
Disposable Table Linens
Once associated with lower-end dining or relegated to casual outdoor picnics, disposable tablecloths are increasingly earning respect across the gamut of food venues for their varying sizes, colors, prints – and their very convenient disposability! They are available pre-cut to size or on a roll, allowing you to dispense as much material as needed. Less expensive than their cloth and plastic counterparts, the money your restaurant or catering service saves can be used on eye-catching centerpieces, expanded menus, or larger catered affairs.
Holiday Themed Tablecloths
The facts are in: The tablecloths you choose for your restaurant or catering service have immense power: They set the mood for your venue (elegant or casual, formal or fun), they set expectations about your business’s quality and prices, and they can actually be the very reason customers enter your premises to begin with.
With Thanksgiving and December holidays around the corner, now is the time to think festively and creatively in your choice of holiday tablecloths, napkins, placemats and runners, and especially about some of the smaller touches such as the perfect holiday napkin rings. If consumers’ perception of the food you serve is indeed influenced by contextual factors, then no detail is too small to attend to.
Restaurant Napkins: The Paper vs. Cloth Debate
Now that you’ve mastered the pros and cons of varying restaurant tablecloths, next on the menu are foodservice napkins. If you do some research to get a taste for what’s hot and what’s not, one of the first discussions you will find is something along the lines of : Are paper napkins more environmentally friendly? Or: Cloth vs. table napkins – which are greener? While you might think that reusable cloth napkins automatically score higher than their disposable counterparts when it comes to environmental impact, the ongoing debate proves otherwise. In a nutshell, what industry experts have concluded is that while you will save money and trees by opting for cloth over paper, the water and energy usage required to launder cloth over the long term is also less than ideal.
New in Restaurant Napkins
The good news is that there is a newcomer in the world of commercial napkins – and it is singlehandedly reigning the foodservice popularity charts among restaurant owners, chefs, and consumers alike. Known in the industry as “linen-feel napkins,” these new-and-improved disposable varieties capture the look and feel of real linen while being a step up over their paper napkin counterparts. They are soft, thick, highly-absorbent, and come in a variety of colors and patterns that can match any decor or place setting. A restaurateur’s dream come true, linen-feel napkins can go a long way in saving you money on expensive cloth (and associated upkeep costs) while adding a large serving of refinement to your establishment’s appearance to boot!
Restaurant Placemats
Placemats are often overlooked gems when it comes to restaurant decor. Visually, they add texture and flair when placed atop wood, glass, or other tabletops. They are also very practical as they protect table surfaces and help reduce background noise. Affordable, durable, versatile, and attractive to boot, restaurant placemats are well worth your investment.
Catering Service Table Skirting
If you work in the catering business, another type of table linen that should be in your sights are table skirts. Used to hide table legs and add a sense of formality and elegance, they are frequently used at banquets, trade shows, press conferences, wedding receptions, and other formal events. While available in multiple fabric types, table skirts are comprised of one of two styles: Shirred Pleats or Box Pleats.
Here’s the 411 you need to know: Shirred pleat table skirts are the most common, featuring a series of narrower folds at the top that give the skirt a bunched appearance as it drops to the floor. Box pleat table skirting offers a more luxurious look and is usually reserved for more elegant functions. Measuring about 4 inches wide, each pleat has a boxed or gathered look, giving the overall decor a more defined edge. Which is the right choice for your next catering gig? ‘Right,’ as in most cases, depends entirely on the ambiance you are trying to create.
Summing Up
There you have it: The full scoop on restaurant and foodservice linens – what’s old, what’s new, and what choices are available to you today as you take full advantage of the array of restaurant and catering service tablecloths, napkins, placemats, and table skirts. What your tables “wear” matters so be sure to dress your furnishings to the hilt!