Winter’s grip is starting to loosen, and before we know it everyone will be talking about spring menus and outdoor dining like it’s breaking news. Instead of being part of the September scramble, take your time to get sorted now and you’ll be a step ahead.
The breakfast and brunch opportunity
As the weather improves, Spring mornings bring out the weekend warriors, the early dog walkers, the “let’s grab coffee somewhere nice” crowd. Think of ways to maximise the opportunities to attract these early morning diners – these are often your regulars coming out of winter hibernation, eager to rebuild those weekend habits they’ve been missing.
Beyond the obvious outdoor prep
Your outdoor space refresh checklist: Yes, clean the tables and check the umbrellas – but while you’re out there, think about whether you are maximizing all of your outdoor dining opportunities. Refresh your memory on the space in Spring at different times of day: where does the morning sun hit? Which corners stay calm when the wind picks up? While Spring weather is still changeable, do you need to invest in those heaters you’ve been meaning to purchase? Source them now and you might have the best choice of stock and reasonable prices (check out RA partner, Bunnings, for options).
Quick outdoor audit:
- Plan storage for cushions, blankets, and weather protection
- Test all furniture stability after winter weather
- Check drainage – spring rain reveals every pooling problem
- Assess wind barriers and natural shelter points
- Consider sight lines from inside to outdoor diners
- Review outdoor lighting that will be in use for those longer Spring evenings
Sound strategy matters outdoors. That playlist that works perfectly inside becomes background noise in an open space. Spring outdoor dining needs a soundtrack that carries without overwhelming conversation.
Booking behaviour shift
Spring may trigger an urge to dine out more frequently again, but if you take reservations expect Spring bookings to be more spontaneous than Summer ones. Spring dining is often “it’s a nice day, let’s do something special.”
This means your booking system needs to handle last-minute requests gracefully, and your staff need to be top of their game at juggling walk-ins with existing bookings.
The community connection window
Winter isolates people; spring reconnects them. Watch for the subtle changes – longer conversations at tables, groups lingering over coffee, people choosing communal seating over corner booths. Your space can either facilitate these reconnections or miss them entirely. Small adjustments to layout and service style can make all the difference.
Cash flow reality check time
Unless you are in one of Winter’s hot spots, you’ll be hanging out for Spring’s busier months, but you can also be facing higher costs – increased wages as you grow your team size up again, marketing pushes, maintenance catch-up. Build these increased costs into your pricing and cash flow planning now, before you’re in the thick of it and making reactive decisions.
The technology tune-up
Now’s the time for a tech health check:
- Update all software and clear out old data that’s slowing things down
- Make sure your EFTPOS system is still processing restaurant gift cards. Did you move terminals around over Winter, as this may have an impact — the last thing you want is to discover an issue on a busy night. If you’re unsure, get in touch with the Association.
- Run stress tests on your POS during a busier service
- Review your booking system’s peak-time performance
- Security system review – are your security cameras working as they should? Check your backup systems as Spring’s increased activity means more security risks
Get ahead now
Start your prep now, then while everyone else is reacting to the first warm weekend, you’ll already have your outdoor spaces optimized, your team trained, and your systems ready. These Spring preparation checks aren’t about doing everything – but about tackling key things that actually matter before the rush hits.