COVID-19 has changed the way we all do business. One industry that’s been particularly hard hit is the bar and restaurant industry. American Tent has helped hundreds of bar and restaurant owners just like you find the perfect solution to expanded--and safer--space.
But first things first: A majority of the time, a West Coast-style frame tent is going to be the ideal solution for your bar and restaurant. Frame tents (as opposed to pole tents, pagoda, cross-cable, or pop-up tents) are ideal for longer term use in spaces like bars and restaurants. They are the commercial, durable solution you need to get back to business.
Check out these top tips for making sure you get the right restaurant and bar tents for the job.
Space
We’ve said it before: It used to be that time was money; now, it’s space. With social distancing guidelines in place for much of the country, bars and restaurants are experiencing a curb in volumes. Of course customer safety is the priority of all venue owners, but we nevertheless understand how running at one-third or one-half capacity can really take a bite out of your bottom line.
Before you buy a restaurant or bar tent, find out exactly how much space you have. Be sure to take into consideration constraints such as walls and adjoining property. You’ll need to know the exact square footage you can have covered, but also leave some room for staking and ballasting.
Now more than ever, more space means more customers, which means more tickets, and more profit. American Tent bar and restaurant tents can help you maximize your space so you can be back on the road to financial and physical recovery sooner.
Surface
Not all surfaces are created equal. Make sure you know what you’re getting into--literally--when you think about staking a tent at your bar or restaurant.
Concrete typically requires a ballasting system, while you can stake into asphalt, grass, and gravel. If you rent or lease the property, make sure you are allowed to stake into the surface before you get out the sledgehammer.
You also want to make sure that the surface you’re building on is as level as possible. Surfaces with more than a 3% grade are not great candidates for frame tents, which are the preferred type of tent for bar and restaurant use.
Timeframe
If you’re like most of our clients, you need your tent ASAP. However, the more notice you give us, the better. We make all of our custom-made tents to order here in our Green Bay, Wisconsin manufacturing facility.
Lead times change every day and depend on demand, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get your tent ordered and set up. You’re no doubt keeping a close eye on your state and local government’s guidelines on reopening, so keep this in mind when thinking about ordering a tent for your restaurant. We want to help you get back to business as soon as possible--and we know that days closed are days that cost you.
Permits
It’s a new world out there--complete with new rules and regulations you might not be familiar with. Don't forget to check your city and state’s ordinances to make sure that you are allowed to set up a tent for restaurant or bar use on your property. We’ve had it happen before and it’s always a pity: An owner has to cancel a great idea because he or she only found out about zoning rules after the tent was purchased and set up. The more you know beforehand, the better.
Conclusion
American Tent is committed to helping you help your guests feel safe, comfortable, and protected while they are guests in your establishment. Use our guide to buy the best tent for your restaurant or bar needs. Contact us today to get started.
