| It isn't uncommon for families to want to go out to | | | | Don't forget to offer additional children's meals for |
| dinner together. Sometimes it is to celebrate a special | | | | older children too. This is a category that too many |
| occasion and other times it is to give mom & dad a | | | | restaurants seem to over look. This is an age group |
| break from cooking. With the schedules many families | | | | from about 6-11 that eat more than a typical child's |
| live these days, grabbing a meal on the go may be | | | | meal but less than an adult portion. Likewise, if your |
| necessary in order to keep the other commitments for | | | | restaurant is buffet style then offer a discounted price |
| the day. If you are in the restaurant business and you | | | | for children based on their age |
| offer a family friendly establishment, you will find it | | | | To help keep the atmosphere of the restaurant |
| definitely will increase the amount of business. You will | | | | pleasant, you really need to offer some great activities |
| end up with some regular customers coming in again | | | | for the children to enjoy. It can be simply games on the |
| and again as well. | | | | table or a fun activity sheet with mazes and word |
| Anyone that is thinking of owning a restaurant really | | | | searches. It doesn't take too much to distract little |
| needs to keep that in mind. Of course not all | | | | children. The fact that they are entertained will help |
| restaurants are a place to take children but for those | | | | their parents to relax as well. |
| that do allow them, it needs to be a good experience. | | | | Offer plenty of seating arrangements that work well |
| Family dining is a huge part of the market and if you | | | | for families too. Generally it is much easier if you offer |
| play your cards right you will be able to take | | | | them a booth because small children are less likely to |
| advantage of it. Parents are very loyal to those | | | | fall out of their chairs or get up and run around. A |
| restaurants where they feel comfortable taking their | | | | restaurant can be dangerous for a small child to run |
| children for a good meal. | | | | around in because they can get food or hot coffee |
| During the training of your staff you need to talk to | | | | spilled on them. High chairs and booster chairs will be |
| them about working with families that come in to eat. | | | | appreciated by parents as well. I have been in |
| There are some differences that they need to be | | | | restaurants where parents are trying to hold a child |
| aware of. Placing extra napkins on the table is | | | | and eat too because there aren't enough high chairs |
| important because they will likely be needed. Using | | | | so don't let that be an issue. |
| cups with lids to serve drinks to the children will reduce | | | | Cleaning up from children in a restaurant doesn't have |
| the number of spills. Waitresses need to learn not to | | | | to be difficult. High chairs and booster seats can be |
| place hot plates directly in front of small children | | | | wiped down after each use. Have a quite push |
| because they can grab them very quickly and get hurt | | | | vacuum available so clean up is easy and it won't |
| The first thing many parents notice when they sit | | | | disturb other customers. It is very easy to make a |
| down in a restaurant is the menu. They will scan it to | | | | restaurant friendly for children. If you don't have any of |
| see if there are any selections for children on it. The | | | | your own though this is something you may miss as a |
| cost of their dining experience may double if they have | | | | restaurant owner. Parents will pick up on this issue |
| to buy their children full meals which you would think is | | | | quickly and it is going to influence their decision to dine |
| going to increase your profits. Yet it will cost you them | | | | with you or not. Don't lose out on your share of this |
| returning as it is too expensive for them. Offer some | | | | huge market when you can invest a small amount in |
| good choices for children and you will have a very | | | | making your restaurant the best place to eat with |
| family friendly menu. | | | | children in tow. |