Pricing and Costs of Restaurant and Foodservice Furnishings

How much will commercial restaurant furniture cost you?

The first step toward purchasing commercial restaurant furniture is to determine who your ideal customer is and what restaurant image they are attracted to. Then examine your budget and think creatively while considering the pricing and costs of restaurant and foodservice furnishings. The way your restaurant is decorated says a lot about your business--and your customers.

Always stop to consider how much time and money it will take to maintain the furniture you buy. Does the upholstery require professional cleaning or can your employees wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild cleaner? How long will that chair's upholstery last? Will the upholstery cloth help hide minor stains and wear, or will it highlight them? With these thoughts in mind, examine restaurant and foodservice furnishings carefully, keeping your image--as well as your budget--in mind. Consider:

1. What costs are involved with dining furnishings like chairs and bar stools?

2. How much will wholesale restaurant furniture, like lounge items, cost?

3. What will outdoor restaurant furniture run you?

Price diner furnishings, including chairs and stools

When it comes to furniture for restaurants, standard bar stools of metal generally run $30 to $50, depending upon design. Booth prices vary widely, depending upon upholstery and size; a small booth with plastic upholstery is about $200 to $400, while a 3/4 circle booth runs $1,000 to $1,500. Expect to pay $20 to $60 for standard metal chairs and $50 to $90 for wood chairs.

Think about lounge restaurant furnishing for a comfortable feel

Lounge furniture varies widely in style and quality, but generally, expect to pay $300 to $900 for an upholstered couch. Upholstered chairs may be purchased wholesale for as little as $80 or as high as $500. An upholstered waiting bench will run you $100 to $300.

Factor in the cost of outdoor restaurant dining furniture

Outdoor restaurant furniture is its own specialty. Metal chairs range in price from $50 to $300, depending upon size and complexity of design. Melamine dining furniture tables are $40 to $100, plastic commercial picnic tables $500 to $800 and fiberglass picnic tables run $700 to $1,500 apiece.

• There's no doubt restaurant furnishings are expensive, but when dealing with restaurant furniture suppliers, don't be tempted to shop exclusively by price. Your customers will instantly notice if your furniture is poorly made, and this reflects badly on everything about your business, from the food you serve to the success of your venture.

Copyright © 2013 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---