outdoor picnic tables at the grand canyon Outdoor picnic tables at the Grand Canyon. Adding outdoor dining is a great strategy for restaurants that want to expand capacity and offer diners a pleasant experience outside

Fresh air and fresh food on outdoor picnic tables are a match made in dining heaven.

Restaurant-goers love the ambiance that outside dining provides, and restaurants love the additional seating capacity. Outdoor seating also makes the most of nature's most beautiful seasons and pleasant days. And after all, most people eat their meals inside. Being able to experience a meal outside in a pleasant atmosphere with blue skies overhead, fresh air and greenery all around is a special treat for most people.

But what are the benefits for outside dining, and how can they benefit your business?

Here are three reasons why people love to dine al fresco, and four ways that outside dining can boost your business.

Get ready to expand the popularity - and profitability - of your restaurant or cafe with outside dining. And all you need to do is add some durable, attractive picnic tables.

Three reasons to pick dining on outdoor picnic tables

There are many different reasons why someone will pick your restaurant's outdoor picnic tables over a table for two inside. Here are three of the biggest benefits to outside dining that make this such a popular choice.

  1. Being in nature reduces stress: It's well-established that nature lowers adrenaline and cortisol, two of the top stress hormones. Eating outside gives the body a chance to relax, and allows diners to enjoy the meal with lower stress levels. As a result, they'll probably enjoy the food more - and be back sooner! They may even share the experience with a friend, increasing your word-of-mouth publicity.
  2. Get happy with an extra dose of Vitamin D: Sitting outside a restaurant or coffee shop at a café on picnic tables gives Mother Nature another opportunity to boost the body's production of Vitamin D. As the sunlight reaches the skin, it begins a chain reaction that stimulates the production of this important vitamin.

outdoor picnic tables with capri seats Outdoor picnic tables with Capri-style seating included

The upside is that Vitamin D promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. Happy outside dining patrons may lead to more positive reviews of the food and restaurant.

  1. Restore focus and creativity: Technology has been creeping into our daily lives at an ever-quicker pace. Look around inside any restaurant and you'll likely see forks and knives resting on half-eaten plates of food while patrons catch up on emails, text messages, and the latest news, courtesy of their smartphones.

We're not saying that no one dining at outside picnic tables never sneaks a look at their cellphone, but the scenery (and people-watching) that outside dining provides can be enough to give the brain a break. And studies have shown that spending time looking at nature boosts the brain's ability to focus or solve problems. Your guests will return to work with renewed energy to tackle that tough project - and they'll be adding your spot to their list of top lunchbreak spots.

The list doesn't end there, but these three reasons for outside dining have the most appeal and the biggest benefit to your business. Think about your own favorite al fresco dining experience - what made it so special? Use these experiences to shape your vision of your restaurant's outside dining space.

4 Tips for al fresco dining success at your business

outdoor metal picnic tables Round metal picnic table available in a perforated or diamond pattern. The expanded metal keeps the table cool and prevents fluids from pooling on the surface

Is your business ready to boost its bottom-line by adding outside dining opportunities for patrons? Make al fresco dining a success at your restaurant with these four tips.

  1. Pick your spot: The very first decision you'll need to make is where to incorporate outdoor picnic tables at your restaurant. Some of the most popular spots are sidewalk seating out front, a patio, rooftop dining under the stars, or a courtyard garden.
  2. Set the scene: Think about the view that your patrons will enjoy from your café or picnic tables. Is there a green space for guests to enjoy? A historic main street to stare at? Even in more suburban areas, a nicely manicured flowerbed and hedges can provide the natural break that outside diners prefer. There are many attractive and functional planters that can beautify your outside dining space. Get creative and envision the space from a patron's perspective.

Give attention to the type and quantity of seating available for outside dining. Picnic tables can lend a casual, relaxed vibe perfect for many different restaurants or cafes. Concrete picnic tables are long-lasting and not likely to be stolen. Some picnic tables come in "capri" styles with seats with backrests attached. They make a great choice for outside dining and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to match your décor.

For a more upscale feel, choose bar-height square tables with captain bar stool chairs, perfect for happy hours, mingling, and catching up with cocktails. Or, for the fine dining crowd, choose round tables with linen tablecloths and candlelight. The contrast between formal dining settings and the relaxed nature of outside dining can surprise and delight patrons.

Whatever you decide, be sure to add commercial picnic tables or outdoor tables that can withstand the elements - heat, rain, snow, freezing weather, direct and indirect sunlight. For the most part, these picnic tables will be outside 24/7 and all those elements can eventually cause a substandard table to deteriorate over time. This may even cause a potential hazard for your patrons when they sit down on a seat that may have been eroded by weather. Hardy materials to consider are metal picnic tables, concrete picnic tables or recycled plastic picnic tables.

  1. Promote outside dining: Once you've done all that work, don't rely on word-of-mouth to promote your new and expanded outside dining option. Use your website, social media, and promotions to give your restaurant's newest hot spot a boost.

Take plenty of pictures of happy outside diners. Post them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and definitely your own website. Inviting al fresco dining in bright sunlight makes for great photographs of smiling customers. That is sure to attract attention.

Some restaurants have used happy hour promotions, special menus for al fresco dining, and email campaigns to attract new and existing customers to dine outside. Think about marketing strategies that have worked in the past, but don't be afraid to think outside of the box.

  1. Plan ahead: Be prepared for the increased capacity that outside dining will bring to your restaurant or café. Calculate how many additional servers will be needed, what changes may be necessary for the kitchen to keep meals fresh and on-time, and how you'll accommodate guests waiting to be seated. Outside benches are a great idea to keep waiting guests from hovering around outside diners, or from moving on due to long wait times.

Think about lighting at night. Will you add outside lighting or use tabletop candles. Strings of lights in trees also add a special glow to any eating area.

With these tips in mind, your restaurant will be ready to open its doors to outside dining - and boost the bottom line. Customers will appreciate the al fresco dining option on a beautiful summer day or a cool autumn night, and you'll enhance the dining experience while increasing capacity and adding ambiance.