Before deciding what kind of restaurant table tops to put in your business, do as much research into the pricing and costs of restaurant table tops as possible. The prices vary considerably according to the kind of material the table tops are. Solid wood commands hefty prices and requires finishing and maintenance. Formica, on the other hand, is easy to care for and much less expensive.

Restaurant table top furniture must pair well with the design and theme of your restaurant. Stainless steel and Formica tops go nicely in diners and breakfast lunch operations while solid wood table tops add to the upscale atmosphere of gourmet cafes. Learn as much about the pricing and costs of restaurant table tops before making your final decision.

1. Select natural solid wood restaurant table tops for a classic look.

2. Prefer restaurant tables in stock laminate walnut, cherry or oak woods.

3. Play it safe when you buy durable Formica and stainless steel restaurant table tops.

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Invest in high quality solid wood restaurant table tops

Nothing compares with the classic look of solid wood table tops in oak, walnut or cherry.

I recommend: Maine Supply carries solid wood square and round table tops. The square tops are $92.00 for 24 x 24 and $450.00 for 60 x 60. Add between $8.00 and $48.00 for staining and between $13.00 and $31.00 for designer edges. Bistro Tables and Bases carries solid planked hardwood table tops ranging from $239.00 for a 24-inch model and $1,857 for the 72-inch model. Beechwood costs $225.00 for 24 x 24 and $1,188.00 for 36 x 96.

Choose less costly laminate restaurant table tops

Laminate table tops offer you the expensive look of solid wood without the expensive maintenance.

I recommend: Central Restaurant Products carries a wide selection of laminate table tops in both square and round varieties. A square 30 x 72 laminate wood top runs about $170.00. Round tops come in sizes of 24-inches, for $47.00, or 60-inches, for $230.00. Restaurant Seating Direct carries stock laminate table tops in cherry, oak and walnut. A round 15 lb. tale top alone is $23.00. The rectangular model is the same price.

Stick with the standard Formica and stainless steel restaurant tables

Purchase restaurant table tops in durable Formica and stainless steel and eliminate finishing and maintenance costs. Formica and stainless steel wipe clean easily and customers recognize these table tops for their long lasting quality.

I recommend: American Retro Furniture lets you choose classic, boomerang and cracked ice Formica laminate that you can purchase in 4 x 10 foot sheets. The classic Formica runs about $319, the cracked ice for $470 and the boomerang Formica costs about $440. A City Discount offers a standard 36-inch round stainless steel table top for about $62.00.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seek advice on what kind of material to choose for your tables from customer representatives who work for restaurant table tops manufacturers.

Purchasing restaurant furniture for your dining areas requires some forethought in design, budget and space planning. After you’ve decided the size and shape of the tables you need and what your budget allows for commercial table tops, you’ll need to focus on design, which is where choosing from amongst the many options of restaurant table tops comes into play. When choosing table tops for your restaurant, consider:

1. Durability: If you use tablecloths, you may not require waterproof table tops. If not, choose commercial table tops that will stand up to frequent wipe downs and cleanings.
2. Materials: Match table tops with the rest of your restaurant furniture.
3. Special features: Logo table tops let you display your style to customers. Or you may need materials that will hold up in the outdoors such as stone or metal.

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Choose materials for your restaurant table tops

Table tops made from wood and wood veneers are common but may need to be refinished. Less expensive options include melamine or laminate restaurant table tops. For durability and minimal maintenance, choose aluminum, metal or granite table tops.

I recommend: Choose from a selection of wood veneer table tops at eRestaurant Furniture. Maine Supply has restaurant table tops made from solid wood, melamine laminate and aluminum. Cafe Tables & Commercial Tops has granite and solid wood round café table tops. BistroTablesAndBases.com has genuine stone mosaic table tops as well as stone impression tops and fiberstone table tops that mimic the old world look of mosaic table tops. Restaurant & Bar Furniture sells inexpensive stainless steel commercial table tops and metal edged retro table tops for indoor and outdoor spaces.

Customize your commercial table tops

Casual dining restaurants that don't use table cloths may want to opt for customized logo table tops that embed your logo into the tabletop.

I recommend: Petersen Furniture will embed your logo in plastic laminate so that you can retrofit your logo to table tops that you already own. AAA Furniture Wholesale centers your logo on wood table tops and covers it with a clear resin coating for durability.

Get creative with themed table tops

Your restaurant furniture gives you the chance to be creative. Theme restaurants, such as sports bars, can choose from restaurant table tops that are imprinted with artwork that fits the ambiance of the dining room.

I recommend: DecorativeDining.com specializes in themed restaurant table tops in a variety of themes including family restaurant, Italian restaurant, lounge and bar table tops, pizzeria table tops and ice cream shop table tops to name a few. Built-Rite BR Inc. sells licensed table tops imprinted with NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA team logos.

Tile and mosaic table tops are ideal for Mexican restaurants

Mexican restaurants can utilize artisan designs from Mexico by purchasing restaurant table tops that feature stone mosaics or hand painted tiles.

I recommend: La Casa de Mexico is a restaurant furniture retail store that imports hand-painted talavera tile restaurant table tops from artisans in Mexico. Rotas Mosaic carries mosaic tile table tops in rectangular or round shapes in several sizes.

Commercial table tops to fit in your restaurant booths

Some table tops are made especially for booths and either attach directly to the wall or are mounted from the floor on a table base.

I recommend: Plymold offers a wide selection of booth table tops in Wilsonart and Formica laminates, Dur-A-Edge, vinyl edge, aluminum edge and oak or maple edges. AMC Industries manufactures wood veneer and butcher block table tops for booths. www.legsandbases.com offers booth-friendly table tops with T-mold and PVC edges, self edges, vinyl edges, wood and urethane edges.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always use the table bases that are recommended for the restaurant table tops you've purchased. If your table tops come with a warranty, it will likely require that you use the manufacturer's suggested table bases.
• •  If you choose wood or veneer table tops, ask if they have been finished with waterproof lacquer. Most commercial table tops are made to stand up to water rings.
• •  Before you purchase table tops, decide if you'll use table bases or legs for installation.

A comprehensive look at restaurant table tops news and trends will help you identify the major players in the restaurant furniture market and the main segments of this multi-million dollar market. Restaurant table manufacturers make products for use in all food service operations: diners, cafeterias, bars, pubs, cafes, fine dining and fast food establishments.

As you survey the restaurant furniture market, focus on the total output these manufacturers produce and the product selection that sellers offer. This will help you identify the consumer demand driving this industry. Major sources for any study of restaurant table tops news and trends include blogs as well as websites for manufacturers, suppliers and business associations.

1. Know the major trends in restaurant table tops by reading blog commentaries.

2. Identify production trends among leading manufacturers of restaurant tables.

3. Find business associations that help you get more information on restaurant table tops producers and sellers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify trends in restaurant table tops that bloggers note in their online commentaries

There's no better way to understand how furniture like restaurant table tops can create the right mood than by reading what bloggers are telling each other.

I recommend: Read the blog archives at Modern Restaurant Tables. These informative writings suggest designs for new restaurant tables inspired by well-known artists or scenes in movies. Restaurant Furniture Blog presents commentaries by patrons and restaurateurs on what they consider the latest trends among restaurant table designs.

Find out the top producers of restaurant table tops and their most requested products

Restaurant table top furniture manufacturers produce large volumes of the products most in demand, such as solid wood, mosaic, granite, themed, stainless steel and Formica table tops.

I recommend: The Free Press Release publishes articles showcasing restaurant table top manufacturers who are achieving notoriety in the industry. Manufacturing out of Pennsylvania is Keystone Ridge Designs, which makes almost every kind of table normally seen in restaurants. Read the company's press releases to get the latest news about its products.

Locate online articles published by industry associations that track the restaurant tables market

Understand timely issues facing restaurant table tops manufacturers and sellers, such as consumer demand for a new kind of table or government regulations that may impact how the tables are made.

I recommend: Search the website of the National Restaurant Association to review articles written for industry professionals. The articles include buyer's guides to restaurant furniture and articles with detailed information on manufacturers and suppliers. Articles and features on Hospitality Net identify business challenges for restaurant tables makers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many online sources of restaurant table tops news and trends focus upon environmental issues and changing government regulations surrounding the manufacture of these products.