One survey carried out in the USA found that in 2009, diners attending restaurants that use white table linens has gone up by over 41% compared to the year before. AND! To drive the point home, these same diners are spending more on their meals when dining out than they did a year ago. Therefore it’s crystal clear that in the restaurant business, premium table linens make a difference in the patrons mind which helps take care of the business and ultimately the profit or loss.

We must ask ourselves… what is it that makes a really good tablecloth? Well we must begin with what we want from a table linen as each place is different and has different requirements. Ultimately we would like the table linen to be and look clean, crisp yet soft and luxurious to the touch. Of course, it must not only look and feel fantastic, we would also like the table linen to be highly practical which means that it protects the table surface from scratches and any other kind of damage, it absorbs all the stains and spills that come from an event dinner. Therefore, a couple of considerations need to be made.

Table linen fabrics are vitally important as they affect the way the table linens hang down the table, the way they feel to the touch, the way the light bounces off the cloth surface etc. There are various materials such as polyester, cotton, and poly-spun, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages depending on what the occasion calls for. If you are a small cafe that serves breakfasts or fast foods then polyester are probably more appropriate, good quality and durable standard polyester table linens are available are very low cost at several internet stores.

From a durable use table linen point of view, stain-resistant and wrinkle resistant 100% visa polyester is the clear winner in this area without doubt. I agree that it takes more effort and costs more in terms of the table linens themselves and the cleaning costs than not having table linens, but in terms of the return in dollars and in what guests want, stain resistant easy care visa polyester will not be beaten. Visa polyester is crisp, soft, and beautiful, will go with any eatery no matter what menu is being served. Visa polyester also sits nicely on the tables, in fact if you are   a new restaurant I would recommend that you invest first in your table linens before you buy your table furniture, as good quality polyester table linens will conceal any unsightly table tops or furniture that you may have in your dining establishment and you may be able to get a much better deal when buying dining furniture for your new restaurant business.

In terms of colors, pink tablecloths are popular in the summer months but year round white is usually the wise choice especially for a restaurant geared towards formal receptions. It is a safe bet and proves to the customer that you have a clean kitchen with nothing to hide. White is also the color that exudes taste and style. If white is not a possibility and you would like to dare to be different, then you could always have a base table linen underneath with a different color. The dimensions of the table linen will obviously depend on the dining table size, so be sure to ask your table linens supplier what sizes you will need for your tables.

It is wise to consider any room lighting change that may occur during your event, many events begin when it’s daylight and as the evening progresses electric lighting is switched on and this can color the room decor and in some cases can noticeably change the overall ambience and style of the room, the degree of change depends on the type of lighting so be sure to consult with your wedding planner or the reception venue staff, and if possible go to the reception venue and check it out for yourself.

In the end, not all restaurants need stain and wrinkle resistant table linens, as excellent decor is usually a an expression of the business and cuisine served. However, if you are going to use table linens in a restaurant then consider the information given, use 100% visa polyester, and don’t take any shortcuts, it’s your restaurant and you want it to be a success!

Article by Carl Brooks, www.WhiteLinenTablecloths.com
Carl Brooks provides tablecloth ideas and trends to www.WhiteLinenTablecloths.com where you will find a wide selection of quality table linens, including pricing for wholesale table linens.