As a business in the food and beverage sector you have two very different needs in the front of house and the back of house. You’re front of house team spends the majority of their time with customers and they need flexibility in their uniform and to look their best. Whereas the back of house team needs comfortable, safe uniforms for working in a busy kitchen. With so much going on have you had a chance to consider the impression your team is giving your customers? If it’s been a few years since you updated your uniforms, now may be the time.
Monochrome
A monochromatic look is popular for a reason, it’s classic. If monochrome is a look you want to keep, it’s important to update the individual pieces of your uniforms on a regular basis to keep the style current. For example, change the style of the trousers your staff wears without changing the colour. If the year’s look is slim-fitting ‘cigarette’ trousers, and your team has wide leg trousers, swap them out.
Small Changes, Big Impact
To keep your team current you don’t have to make any drastic changes to a classic uniform. But what about the accessories? The introduction of a different colour tie or apron, or incorporating a waistcoat into a uniform can make a world of difference to the uniform’s overall look.
Go for Unique
In the services industry it’s important to be memorable for all the right reasons. In addition to stellar customer service and excellent food and drink, there’s no better way to stand out than by wearing a uniform customers will remember. Keep in mind that being unique doesn’t mean you have to wear garish colours or clashing patterns.
Adopt a distinct, fashionable look by incorporating some of the latest fashion trends. For example, fashionable dark-wash denim trousers can translate into a dark, denim-coloured waistcoat or tie. Or, you could choose a tie in a complementary colour, but in a different fabric. Either way, the result will be impressive and something customers won’t soon forget.
Choose Quality
Style shouldn’t be the only consideration when choosing garments for your uniforms, quality of the items also affects their overall appearance. How the uniform fits, and how the fabric feels in terms of comfort will make a huge difference as to how the uniforms are worn. While you can’t please everyone, uniforms that are comfortable and breathable make it easier for your team to provide the best service they possibly can. The more comfortable they are and the more freely they can move, the better they will look and feel.
Durability is another aspect of choosing the proper fabric. Any fabric you choose will have to be able to withstand the daily wear and tear of all sorts of activities. The durability of a fabric will also speak to keeping your staff safe. For example, denim is a durable fabric which can resist rips and tears. Whilst it may not be the best fabric for staff in the food and beverage industry, its durable quality makes it an ideal fabric for those in construction.
Get inspiration From Others
If you’re unsure of the best fabric and style to choose for your own staff, think about the last time you ate at a restaurant. Do you recall what the staff were wearing? If not, perhaps it’s time to visit some establishments in the area (or further abroad) to get some inspiration for how you want your team to dress. You could also ask the management team some questions including:
- Where do they get their uniforms?
- How long the staff has been wearing them?
- What the staff think of them?
When a uniform can be easily cared for, looks good and fits well, your staff can concentrate on the job at hand, providing your customers with amazing food and drinks at a level of service that will keep them coming back.
The Corprotex team would like nothing more than to help you create the ideal uniform for your entire food and beverage team, reach out to us by phone or email so we can discuss your needs. Give us a call on 0161 223 2226, or email sales@corprotex.co.uk
