The Orderupers Blog

Making Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly: What You Need to Know

Written by Clive Thorpe | Aug 2, 2022 7:33:42 AM

As a parent, finding a family-friendly restaurant can be a challenge. You want to relax and enjoy your meal, but you also need to keep an eye on your kids. Parents love finding restaurants where they can take their children without having to worry about them running wild.

In this post, we'll share some tips on how to make your restaurant more kid-friendly.

 

Defining Your Audience

You might be asking yourself, "What makes a restaurant kid-friendly?" Well, the answer to that question can differ from one restaurateur to the next. However, in general, there are a few basics that all kid-friendly restaurants should have.

First and foremost, it's important to know your audience. Who are you trying to attract with your kid-friendly menu and atmosphere? Are you targeting parents with young children? Tweens and teens? Or do you simply want to make your establishment more family-friendly overall?

Once you have a better understanding of your target demographic, you can start putting together the specifics of your child-friendly plan. This might include things like a dedicated children's menu, colouring books and crayons, high chairs and booster seats, or even a play area.

 

Why Making Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly Is Important

If you're a restaurateur, then you may be wondering if making your restaurant kid-friendly is a smart move. After all, accommodating families can be a lot of extra work. But the fact is, catering to kids can be a great way to bring in more business, and it's definitely the right thing to do.

Here are just a few reasons why making your restaurant kid-friendly is so important:

1. Parents of children are spending more money than ever before when it comes to dining out.

2. Families with kids are more likely to return to a restaurant that they know is kid-friendly.

3. 82% of parents say that they would take their child to an eatery that has activity centres like colouring books and toys.

4. Offering special menus or discounts for kids can help attract parents and their children to your restaurant.

5. Kids can be great ambassadors for your restaurant, telling their friends and family about their wonderful experience at your establishment.

 

What You Need to Do to Make Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly

Creating a kid-friendly restaurant can be a lot of work, but it's worth it in the end. Here are the steps you need to take to make your restaurant more child-friendly:

1. Create a Kid's Menu: Kids have different tastes than adults, so it's important to have a separate menu just for them. This will make it easier for them to find something they like, and it will also help keep the kitchen organised.

2. Stock Kid-Friendly Activities: Make sure you have plenty of activities for kids to do while they're waiting for their food. Colouring books, puzzles, and other simple games are always a hit.

3. Provide High Chairs and Booster Seats: A lot of kids are uncomfortable eating at a regular table, so make sure you have high chairs and booster seats available. This will help them feel more at ease and will prevent them from making a mess.

 

The Benefits of Making Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly

There are several benefits to making your restaurant kid-friendly. Not only will it make your establishment more welcoming for families, but it can also help boost your business.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider making your restaurant kid-friendly:

-It can help attract new customers. Parents are more likely to choose a restaurant that is welcoming to their children, so making your restaurant kid-friendly can help increase your business.

-It can encourage parents to stay longer. When kids are entertained, parents are more likely to linger and enjoy their meals. This can lead to increased spending and a better overall dining experience.

-It can help you stand out from the competition. Restaurant fast-food chains like KFC, Nandos and McDonald's are popular with families, but there's plenty of room in the market for independent restaurants that cater to kids as well.

So if you're looking for ways to attract new customers and keep them coming back, making your restaurant kid-friendly may be the solution you've been looking for.

 

How to Market Your Kid-Friendly Restaurant

So, you've created a kid-friendly menu and added some fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. Now it's time to let people know that your restaurant is the perfect place for families.

There are a few ways to market your restaurant as family-friendly. You can start by adding a "Family Friendly" badge to your website or adding a paragraph about your kid-friendly amenities to your About Us page. You can also list your restaurant in online directories for parents, or even create a special section on your website specifically for kids.

Whatever marketing strategy you choose, be sure to make it clear that your restaurant is the perfect place for families. The more you promote your kid-friendly offerings, the more parents will feel comfortable bringing their children to your establishment.

 

Conclusion

If you're a restaurant owner, there's a good chance you've been considering ways to make your establishment more family-friendly. After all, who doesn't love dining out with the kids?

In this post, we've given you the essentials you need to know in order to make your restaurant more accommodating to families. We've discussed things like creating a kid-friendly menu, providing high chairs and booster seats, and offering fun activities for children.

So, whether you're just starting out or you're looking for ways to improve your current family-friendly policy, start with these tips and advice that will help make your restaurant a hit with kids and parents alike!