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Introduction

Whether you’re outfitting your new restaurant, diner, cafe, coffee shop, or convenience store for the first time, or you’ve decided that it’s time to replace those dated, threadbare, creaky tables and chairs with something new, you’ve probably noticed how expensive outfitting your dining room can be. What’s even worse, is the surprise bill for providing your customers a safe, comfortable place to eat usually comes AFTER you’ve already invested tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars into getting your commercial kitchen set up with the wide array of expensive, state-of-the-art equipment you need to cook.

Whether you’re setting up a cozy nook in the back corner of a country store, or investing in a brand new restaurant that seats 100 people, finding the extra room you’ll need in the budget for dozens of tables and potentially hundreds of chairs can put a big crimp in your bottom line. Tabletops, table bases, and chairs for each can cost upwards of $500 per set. Multiply that by five, ten, or 50 sets, and you’re talking about punching a big hole in your bank account.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), the money you invest in your dining area will speak volumes to your customers about the character of your establishment, which makes it one area where you simply can’t cut corners.

After all, once you’ve invested the capital needed for renovations, including paint, art, and getting the lighting just right, it can all be ruined by tossing in a hodgepodge of mismatched, worn, ugly, uncomfortable furniture. The furniture you choose speaks volumes about your business; fill it with bargain-basement formica or plastic promotional furniture, and your customers aren’t sure to stick around for long.

Luckily, there’s a wide range of options in the used restaurant furniture market for anyone trying to squeak a little extra mileage out of their strained budgets.

Because restaurants tend to be always opening and closing, chances are, someone right in your area is sitting on a warehouse or self storage unit that’s chock full of gently used restaurant furniture. And because commercial-grade furniture is designed to withstand years of heavy use, most of these pieces can be brought back to life with nothing more than a good cleaning and a few simple repairs.

But where do you begin your search? We’ve rounded up our best tips and tricks, to make your search for used restaurant furniture just a little less painful.

What Kinds of Used Restaurant Furniture Should Be on My List?

You’ve probably already settled on buying tables and chairs for your dining area. But there are many more options that might make sense for your establishment, depending on the style of restaurant you are operating and your clientele.

For example, if your restaurant caters to families, have you considered booster seats for your younger guests? You’ll need both boosters for bigger kids, as well as freestanding high chairs for youngsters.

Does your location have a bar? You’ll need at least a few dozen barstools. Start by sketching a potential layout for your dining room that addresses the needs of every type of customer, and figure out which pieces of furniture will maximize the space, allow for more seats per square foot, as well as provide flexibility for large groups.

Planning the Layout of Your Dining Room Interior

Figuring out how many tables your dining area can reasonably accommodate is a crucial first step in the your planning. Consider a few cozy two-tops for romantic couples, tucked away in odd corners which would otherwise be too small for larger groups.

Consider different seating options, or combinations of seating arrangements, including freestanding tables, counter service, or intimate booths, for family-style seating, to maximize the comfort of your guests and the efficiency of your staff as they move through the dining room.

Remember: The primary goal for any successful restaurant layout is to maximize the number of tables you can install, while keeping the dining room safe, comfortable, and highly functional.

Be careful about cramming too many tables, too close together. According to a 2010 study, closer tables may help you increase the number of people you can seat for each service, but it dramatically impacts the overall comfort level of your guests.

Diners at tables that are 20 inches or less apart “generally expressed lower satisfaction in almost every category” including food, friendliness of service, and whether they chose the right venue for their dining dollars. This makes the decision about how many tables and chairs to buy less a question of strict “dollars per hour,” and more about increasing customer comfort and ensuring repeat business.

What Should I Look for When Purchasing Used Restaurant Furniture?

First, decide how important the atmosphere and function of your dining area is to the success of your restaurant. Some businesses need to operate as not just a place for a customer to buy food, but also as a place to relax, unwind, and ultimately have some kind of memorable experience.

Other types of businesses are focused more on turning tables as quickly as possible, or in some cases, reprioritizing eat-in service altogether. If your customers are popping in for a few to-go containers of shrimp lo mein, this makes interior design choices somewhat less important.

Next, look for furniture that contributes to the atmosphere and style you