Unless your staff is made up of celebrities, a properly set uniform is part of the overall EXPERIENCE you’re trying to create when opening up a new restaurant.
So unless you’ve got Chris or James onboard keep reading.
When creating a business plan you must have already budgeted the branding for your foodservice outlet.
The branding agency, freelancer or whoever is trusted to present all materials should include this with their deliverable’s – the uniform design.
So let’s start off by talking about branding.
Restaurant Uniform Branding
Let’s get a few things straight;
- Uniformed restaurant employees are seen as more competent.
- Staff who wear uniforms are seen as more courteous, approachable, and trustworthy.
- Staff that wear uniforms represent your brand.
- Dont overlook adding a logo.
The style will be reflecting the overall message of your brand.
Restaurant uniforms showcase your business’s personality.
It has to serve a purpose and prevent staff from spills and food mishaps.
It will definitely be a fashion statement.
Besides, who doesn’t like looking at something that just looks good on someone?
Communicating your brand and restaurant philosophy should be fun and creative here.
Foster the qualities that you want people to associate with your restaurant.
The branding efforts you put in today will play a role in customer loyalty.
Focus on the visual design, including logo, (which should be similar to the website, menu, and interior design) to show who you are.
If your target customers change with time, finding strategies to show who you are as a company will make you stand out from everyone else.
This is part of creating a branding strategy.
Write down the company’s values or your customer’s demographics to bring clarity when using fonts, styles, colors and all other elements otherwise following trends won’t mean a thing.
Let’s move on to the material.
Uniform Material
Make sure the material for back-of-house employees don’t melt (yes, melt!) when they get in contact with very hot substances or surfaces.
Like buttons!
Make sure that the buttons are heat-resistant plastics.
For chefs, heavy cotton fabric is considered to be the best option, it breathes which prevents the chefs from overheating when cooking all the time.
Cotton also does well with frequent washing – be sure it’s durable and be sure the employee can take care of it.
Back of house tend to choose loose cotton pants which breathe well and work best in harsh service hours also.
For the front-of-house:
The uniform tops are likely to be a
- polo shirt
- screen printed t-shirt
- dress shirt
For waiters and waitresses working outdoors it’s recommended to go for cotton or natural fabrics which allows the skin to breathe.
For air-conditioned and cool environments, insulating fabrics like polyester will be more suitable.
2020 and 2021 has seen a huge growth in Aprons.
Be sure to choose durable materials that can stand up well to frequent washing and stains.
These are
- Polyester
- Cotton Blends
- Heavy canvas
Ask about moisture-wicking fabric which is made from polyester and draws moisture away from the body, keeping cool and dry.
How to Choose Colors for Uniforms
Dark colors convey a more serious upscale feel, bold colors capture attention and white conveys sophistication and purity.
Remember the days where trendy uniforms use to be a classic combination of black and white.
Some still believe it to still be the best choice for ‘traditional’ theme restaurants.
But things got a bit more sophisticated with Generation X and today we’re exposed to brands and colors all the time which play with emotions.
Many companies have been trying to classify colors with emotions, here are general findings by The logo Company – link.
If your uniform is without any color then you may want to look into the following accessories:
- Tie or Bowtie
- Scarf
- Hats
- Armband
- Pins
- Suspenders
- Vest
- Cap
- Apron
Keep a distinct tone but don’t steal attention from the food and atmosphere.
You may want to change the color scheme weekly or on the weekend.
Be sure its consistent with the brand image of your restaurant.
The Shoes
Warning, the most common health problem that occurs due to work in the restaurant is pain in the back or legs.
Depending on the current health situation of your staff, are you willing to sacrifice style for fashion?
Three options:
- Have the staff wear the shoes they already own (if it fits the overall uniform style and branding)
- Purchase the shoes
- Custom brand the shoes
If you’re buying shoes online, avoid the mess of ordering a lot of shoes at the wrong size, a major no-no.
Go to your local store which carry the brands you want before ordering online.
Shoes should play a role in the strategy of the concept and theme as well, don’t let it get overlooked.
Just don’t overthink it but make sure you keep your eye out on it.
Comfort & Cost
Face it, the staff will be wearing their uniform every day at work.
Be kind, make sure that it’s comfortable.
If your employees will be cleaning their own uniform, make sure to ask about fabrics that are easy to wash, fade resistant, and not easily wrinkled.
Always create your outfit considering guests’ demographics.
Casual Dining restaurants benefit by choosing what makes their staff appear friendly and approachable.
Very dressy clothing or uniforms work in upscale restaurants but could leave a negative impression with young urban customers, again study your target market.
Sometimes all you will need is a well branded t-shirt.
Uniform Policy
As discussed above, it’s part of the image and experience for guests:
- Here are some guidelines for creating a uniform policy
- Describe each piece of the uniform for each of the staff members or roles.
- Be precise how each piece should be warn i.e. tucking in a shirt or wearing a belt.
- Name tags
- Consider if the employee losses his/her uniform have it part of your employment contract
- Depending on your restaurant culture, you might specify whether or not employees are allowed to show body or facial piercings and tattoos.
- Gum, often overlooked but no one likes being talked to while the other chews away.
Your restaurant manager must enforce that the Appearance/Dress Code Policy is implemented.
Conculsion
It’s recommended having 2 uniforms on hand for employees.
1 set remains with the staff and the other on stand-by at the restaurant in case anyone forgot an integral part or even the entire set.
Look into your local laundromat as well to have the uniform washed and delivered to your premise.
These general tips to takeaway:
- Mix and match the unusual
- Play with color patterns or keep it bold and simple
- Cotton is the most durable but most uncomfortable
- Synthetic fabrics tend to last longer
- Also easier to burn, dont get it for people working near fire to avoid a disaster
- Take the thickness of material into consideration and seasonality
Goodluck out there and don’t forget to always enjoy the experience.
