Operations

Restaurant industry uniforms make your business stand out

Whether you are a small café or QSR, uniforms can give you an edge over the competition.

Photo: Adobe Stock

March 25, 2024 | By Nick Warrick

In the restaurant industry, the focus of advertising and branding efforts is usually on the food, but small details can make or break your business. Whether you are a small café or fine dining establishment, uniforms can give you an edge over the competition. Here are a few reasons why you need to consider uniforms for your employees.

Professional image

Uniforms give your establishment a more professional image. They are part of the overall image that you project to your customers. Average street clothing does not project or reinforce your brand to customers. Uniforms allow you to have better control over your brand image and your customers' first impressions. This can help send a message to your customers that you are professionals in what you do.

Build customer trust

According to studies, your employees are being judged by their appearances. Many people think that if they are a casual establishment or bar, uniforms are not necessary. Some even think that this will make them look too upscale for their clientele. For these small establishments, it was found that customers perceived the restaurant to be more trustworthy when employees wore uniforms.

Advertising channel

You can design a uniform that includes your brand and any special message that you want to convey. You can also do something, like include extra messages on the uniforms so that you can show your brand's personality. It is also an excellent advertising option for promotions and sales.

Improves employee productivity

When workers put on the company uniform, they identify with your brand. Putting on the uniform gets them in the right mindset for work. Nametags or names on the uniform make the employees feel more personally accountable for their interactions with customers. All these factors make your employees more likely to promote good customer relations that will build your brand.

Better than a dress code

Some employers do not get their employees uniforms because they do not want the expense. They opt for a dress code instead. This might sound like it is saving money, but it can cost when it comes to building trust. A dress code cannot achieve what matching uniforms can do. One of the reasons is that you can get many different versions of clothing, such as different shades of red or different styles of jeans. Uniforms make everything look more professional, and the initial cost is little when compared to the value of building brand trust among your customers.

Easily identify employees

Uniforms help you easily identify employees and distinguish them from guests. Your customers can look around and quickly identify someone who can help them. You never want to have a scenario where a guest mistakes another guest as an employee. Uniforms help to avoid this mistake.

More attentive employees

When an employee puts on the uniform, they know they are representing the brand. It gets them into the team spirit. It gives them a sense of accountability to customers and other team members. This leads to team members that will work hard to please customers. Uniforms make your employees feel like a part of a team or larger organization. This can lead to them being more attentive and professional around customers.

Build an atmosphere

The uniform design that you choose can help you create a theme, among other things. You can show your brand's personality in a way that communicates it clearly. You can choose uniforms that reflect a certain event or season. You can convey that your restaurant is formal or that you have a fun-loving atmosphere. You have a wide range of choices, from chef's uniforms to custom T-shirts.
Now, you know many reasons why you should choose uniforms for your employees that reinforce your brand and get your employees into the team spirit. Uniforms can be an excellent way to increase customer trust and increase your bottom line.

Nick Warrick is the sales manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with over 100 clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor's degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Warrick revamped the company's online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.