Have you ever wondered about how profitable owning a family friendly restaurant in Florida can be? Since family tourism has always been a classic and profitable business in Florida, family-style dining is gaining popularity in the state. So, if you still haven’t considered this niche, take your time to read this blog post.
You’re probably thinking, “Okay, I already have a kid’s menu and some extra high chairs. Is it enough to succeed?” Of course not! At least not today, when the restaurant landscape is so dynamic and enhancing quality and uniqueness is so important to stand out from the crowd.
From creating the proper ambiance to redefine your services, and embracing new technologies – all matters. So, join us to discover 20 actionable tips for exploring this approach entirely. Let’s dive in!
Why Invest in a Family Friendly Restaurant in Florida?
What makes Florida distinctive is its tourism magnetism. Since the Sunshine State boasts a diverse range of attractions, including its unique climate, world-renowned theme parks, and miles of coastline with beautiful beaches, it attracts families from everywhere. This ambiance presents a perfect opportunity for the food and beverage industry.
In 2023, Florida welcomed around 135 million tourists, according to VISIT FLORIDA, while in a survey of 3,000 families conducted by FamilyDestinationsGuide.com, five Florida cities made the top 100 list of favorite affordable vacation destinations for families.
On the other hand, the restaurant industry in Florida is quite dynamic, with a favorable business environment that offers tax facilities and rewards for starting entrepreneurs. The state ranks as the fourth largest in the U.S. in terms of eating and drinking establishments, with a whopping 47,052 locations. Actually, the full-service restaurant industry revenue in Florida is projected to reach around $28.7 billion by 2024.
Numbers speak for themselves, showcasing perfect business opportunities to restaurants by embracing the family-friendly approach to their business model. But, how can you tap into this rich niche?
Creating a Dedicated Family Friendly Menu for your Restaurant
Creating a family-friendly restaurant concept involves offering special deals on the menu, and of course, designing a dedicated children’s menu is the first step towards that. Since children have different appetites and preferences, it’s crucial to come up with proposals that cater to their needs.
While classics like chicken fingers and fries are popular, there’s room for more creative and healthier recipes. So, if you want to demonstrate your brand’s commitment to being a family-friendly restaurant that offers a diverse range of delicious food options for kids, it’s important to think outside the box.
Here are some tips to help you create a fun, tasty, and nutritious menu that appeals to the whole family:
1. Mini Gourmet & Fun Food:
Kids are mini-foodies too! Offer a variety of dishes that are smaller portions of your existing menu favorites. This allows parents to choose healthy options their children will actually enjoy, and reduces food waste.
2. Shareable Menu for Family Friendly Restaurants:
Design a menu that encourages shared enjoyment, including a selection of appetizers, main courses, and desserts with ample servings and options to accommodate varying group sizes and dietary preferences.
3. Fun and Visually Appealing Options:
Make the dishes visually appealing by cutting sandwiches into animal shapes, arranging fruits and veggies into playful designs, and using colorful plates, bowls, and utensils. In addition, make the menu visually appealing! Use bright colors, fun fonts, and even incorporate illustrations or friendly mascots. And, use fun and descriptive names to spark kids’ imaginations and make healthy options sound more exciting.
4. Interactive Meals:
Incorporate elements that encourage kids to participate in their meal selection allowing them to customize their meals. For example, you may explore interactive menus that let them build their meals according to their tastes, such as Build-Your-Own Options. Kids can choose a protein, side dish, and dipping sauce to create their own personalized meal.
5. Healthy Desserts and Fun Drinks:
Offer healthy desserts and refreshing fruit cups with seasonal favorites like watermelon, berries, and pineapple, as well as smoothies that blend fruits with yogurt or milk for a delicious and nutritious drink.
6. Dietary Considerations:
Cater to dietary restrictions by offering gluten-free pasta or rice-based dishes, and using dairy-free cheese or yogurt for kids with lactose intolerance.
Remember, a dedicated children’s menu isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a cornerstone of a family friendly restaurant concept. This can make a big difference in creating a positive dining experience for everyone!
Creating a Warm Embrace at your Restaurant: Family Friendly Atmosphere
Creating a welcoming atmosphere for families at your restaurant is crucial for success. While having a family-friendly menu is important, the ambiance is what really makes a difference.
Parents want to know that they can bring their children to a place where they won’t be disruptive to other customers, and all customers want to enjoy their meals without interruptions or distractions.
That’s why designing the perfect dining experience is key, regardless of the size of your space. Whether you have a large or small restaurant, there are effective strategies you can implement to make your establishment welcoming and comfortable for families. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with some helpful tips.
7. Design with Families in Mind:
Go beyond the typical restaurant décor and incorporate family-friendly touches like colorful murals, playful lighting fixtures, or comfortable seating arrangements. Additionally, ensure balanced acoustics by using sound-absorbing materials like carpeting or fabric wall hangings to create a pleasant environment for conversation, even when the restaurant is bustling.
Furthermore, opt for warmer color palettes and natural elements to create a welcoming and comfortable aesthetic.
8. Kid-Sized Furnishings:
Maintain a good stock of high chairs and booster seats in good working order. Moreover, consider offering a variety of colors or fun designs to make them more appealing to younger children.
9. Family Friendly Seating in your Restaurant:
Offer booths or larger tables to comfortably accommodate families. If space allows, dedicate a section with smaller tables and chairs specifically sized for younger children. This fosters a sense of independence and reduces spills.
10. Utensils Designed for Small Hands:
Invest in a good supply of brightly colored, unbreakable plastic or silicone utensils with easy-to-grip handles. This minimizes the risk of broken plates or injuries, creating a more relaxed experience for parents. In addition, provide a variety of brightly colored straws and sippy cups for younger children. These not only make drinking easier but also add a touch of fun to their mealtime experience.
11. Create a Playful Escape:
Designate a space with age-appropriate toys, coloring books, or games to keep children entertained while waiting for their food or after they’ve finished eating. This allows parents to relax and enjoy their meals without constant worry. For example, in Miami, El Ranchito Marketplace is a restaurant with a diverse service that combines delicious meals with attractions for all the family, such as pony rides.
12. Themed Fun Throughout:
Family dining is about creating memories; themed décor can be a powerful tool for keeping the magic alive. Change your décor seasonally while also embracing special holidays like Halloween or Easter with festive decorations, activities, and special menu items.
13. Comfortable Restroom for all ages:
Creating a family-friendly environment is not just limited to the dining area of your establishment, but it also extends to every single place including restrooms. So it’s important to ensure that your restrooms are comfortable and accessible for everyone, including young children.
One way to make your restrooms more child-friendly is by installing sturdy step stools in each stall, so that smaller children can easily reach the sink for handwashing. Additionally, it would be great to have a dedicated changing station installed in at least one restroom to cater to the needs of all sorts of customers who visit your place.
14. Staff with a Family Focus:
Encourage your staff to interact with children in a positive and friendly manner. A simple “Hello” or asking about their day can create a lasting positive impression.
You can transform your restaurant into a warm and welcoming destination that caters to families by following these tips.
Technologies for a Family Friendly Restaurant
As the restaurant industry becomes increasingly competitive, providing high-quality services is crucial for success. Fortunately, modern technology offers a range of solutions that can help enhance your venture’s operations. From streamlining processes to reducing wait times and providing convenient order and payment facilities, modern Point-of-Sale (POS) systems are a valuable asset for your restaurant.
But there’s no hurry! Let’s take it one step at a time by exploring how integrating technology into your establishment can enhance the customer experience. Here are some extra tips for family friendly restaurants, where hungry kids and slow service can quickly lead to cranky families!
15. Speed Up the Process with Handheld POS:
Ditch the long lines! Invest in handheld Point-of-Sale (POS) devices so servers can take orders right at the table, which means less waiting and happier families. This can even boost your revenue – a few seconds saved per order can significantly impact your bottom line.
16. Empower Guests with Mobile Ordering:
Give families the control they crave! Utilize mobile ordering systems that allow customers to browse menus, place orders, and pay directly from their phones. As so, it will frees up your staff to focus on food prep and ensures a faster turnaround time for hungry diners.
17. Embrace Contactless Payments:
Make paying the bill a breeze with mobile payment apps and QR codes. While diners can scan a code or tap their phone to complete the transaction, it smooth operations and boost convenience.
18. Flexible Payment Options: Everyone Wins!
Offer a variety of payment options to cater to everyone’s needs. Therefore, accept major credit cards and debit cards, encourage mobile payments like Apple Pay, and allow for easy bill splitting for larger groups.
19. Don’t Forget Takeout and Delivery:
Make your delicious food accessible to everyone by offering a smooth takeout and delivery service. This caters to families with busy schedules or those who prefer to enjoy their meals at home.
20. Streamline Your Operations with Integrated Terminals:
Invest in integrated payment terminals that seamlessly connect with your POS system. This reduces errors, automates processes, and provides valuable data on sales trends.
It’s evident that in today’s world, technology has become a necessity rather than a luxury, especially for restaurants. By leveraging technology to improve your operations and enhance customer experience, you can significantly increase your chances of success in a family friendly restaurant. So, don’t be afraid to embrace the changes if they promise revenue growth!
iPos: Streaming Operations for Family Friendly Restaurants
To fully leverage the benefits of technology, it’s crucial to collaborate with a provider that offers a wide range of services and tools tailored to your business needs. That’s where iPOS comes in – a cloud-based POS system that caters to all your dining operation requirements.
iPOS is an all-inclusive POS system that aims to simplify your processes, reduce wait times, and provide convenient ordering and payment options for your customers. With features like Kitchen Display Service, Mobile Ordering, Delivery System, Inventory Management, QR Payment Station, and Online Ordering System, iPOS is your one-stop solution for restaurant management.
Moreover, iPOS is designed to help your restaurant thrive, and the best part is that it comes with budget-friendly pricing options. So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive POS system that can handle all aspects of your family- friendly restaurant, iPOS is the way to go.
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Final Family Friendly Restaurant Overview
By focusing on providing a welcoming atmosphere for families, your restaurant can experience a range of benefits, such as an increase in revenue due to the longer dining times and larger orders. Moreover, being known as a family friendly destination can enhance your restaurant’s reputation and image in the community. Keep in mind that satisfied families are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend your restaurant to others. So, go ahead and start making your restaurant a haven for all ages in the Sunshine State!
