Forfood and beverage businesses, the global coronavirus pandemic is aparticular challenge. With many customers discouraged from diningout, restaurants and cafes face pressure to find ways to keep theirbusiness going with serious limitations. Even after governmentalrestrictions are lifted, it may take some time for customers toreturn in the quantities they had before the crisis.

Asa restaurant owner, you may not be able to do much about limitations,but you can make a few physical changes to help draw in businessuntil the pandemic restrictions are lifted. One easy addition you canmake right now is the addition of a covered outdoor patio area. Howcan this help boost your business during 2020? Here are a few keyways.

1.Add Customer Space

Expertssuggest that distances of at least six feet between individuals willcut down on the spread of coronavirus. Can your customers stand inline, order drinks, pay, and enjoy their meals while they maintainthis recommended distance?

Whenyou add physical space to your restaurant, everyone has the abilityto spread out. You can move tables farther apart or change the layoutof lines so that customers feel more protected.

2.Move Customers Outside

Outdoorareas are good for customers in a variety of ways. For those who havebeen cooped up in self-isolation or under lockdown orders, theoutdoor patio can provide welcome relief. Outdoor seating areasattract attention and are an appeal during the best of times. Andduring harsher and emotionally draining times, they can be even morewelcome as a change of pace.

Inaddition, the extra circulation and fresh air provided by outdoordining tables can also help alleviate the risk of a contagious virus.Viruses, in general, tend to dislike warm summer months as well asdirect sunlight. Getting outdoors can even help boost your customers'immune systems with valuable vitamin D.

3.Add Space for Workers

Withoutyour employees, your dining business likely wouldn't be able tofunction. But employees shouldn't feel unsafe when they come to work.

Whenyou add more square footage, you have more room to redesign yourindoor processes so as to allow more distance between workers. Youmight be able to increase the amount of room for food prep areas andstorage spaces, for instance, so people interact less as they movearound.

4.Be More Visible

Areyou worried that your restaurant will lose momentum during quarantineperiods and a potential economic recession? Boost its presence nowand keep yourself in people's minds. Patio awnings are highly visibleand can draw attention from both pedestrians and vehicle traffic. Anoutdoor seating area is a quick head-turner and could mean thedifference between someone stopping in your cafe or not.

5.Boost Take-Out Business

Generally,food and beverage businesses are considered essential to Americanlife even during self-isolation. But you may be limited to take-outand delivery meals for a period of time. While this restriction is achallenge, it does give you something to work with.

Giveyour takeaway service a boost and create a designated, attractive,and safe place to operate it. Stage the delivery and take-out servicefrom your beautiful covered patio, where people can stop quickly andget everything they need without even coming inside. Customers willremember the extra effort you made for them.

Clearly,any restaurant can benefit from steps now that will pay offthroughout this year and into possible future emergencies. Want toknow more about how a covered patio can help your particularsituation? Call LexingtonTent & Awning today.Let us help you protect your business and keep everyone safe.