How to Prepare Your Restaurant for Winter

Winter has come, and it’s time to start getting your restaurant ready for the cold months ahead. Whether you’re winterizing your patio for socially-distanced outdoor dining or getting your commercial in tip-top shape, there’s quite a few steps to take to prepare your restaurant for winter. Learn more in this easy-to-follow guide.

Close or Winterize Your Outdoor Dining Space

Depending on your local ordinances, you may either need to close down your outdoor dining space for the season, or you need to prep it to keep guests comfortable. If it’s the former, you’ll want to begin shutting down and disconnecting any outdoor equipment from its power sources and store away any outdoor furniture, including tables, chairs and space heaters. If you live in a snowy area, you may also need to cover any surfaces that require protection from the elements.

If your area allows for socially-distanced outdoor dining, you’ll need to winterize the space so that your guests and staff are comfortable and safe from the elements. To do so, you should consider covering the dining area in case snow or other inclement weather occurs, utilize space heaters or other heat-generating devices, and space your tables out according to CDC- or locally-recommended regulations.

Thoroughly Clean Your Commercial Kitchen Equipment

While routine cleanings are a necessity for any commercial kitchen, make sure that you’re thoroughly cleaning and maintaining heavily-used equipment. It’s especially important this time of year that you pay particular attention to units like braising pans, combi/steamer ovens and holding cabinets, as they can be used more frequently during the holidays and with preparing carryout/to-go orders. Be sure to follow proper cleaning protocols and instructions for each equipment, as this can ensure your equipment lasts throughout the season without any issues.

Schedule Planned Maintenance

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season during winter, it’s important to cover all of your bases and take the worry off your mind by scheduling planned maintenance. Keeping up with planned maintenance for your commercial kitchen equipment ensures that you avoid equipment failure or damage during a busy winter season, while also checking that your equipment is still safe to operate. On top of scheduling planned maintenance for your equipment, make sure you also schedule routine maintenance for your restaurant’s plumbing. Having your pipes checked and properly insulated for the cold weather will safeguard them from damage or bursting.

Modernize your Digital Ordering & Delivery Platforms

With the likelihood of customers staying home more frequently during the colder months, make sure they can order online or through mobile quickly and easily. Check to see if POS systems and your restaurant’s website can process orders efficiently on both desktop and through mobile devices to test their ease-of-use and functionality. This is also a great time to explore your delivery options, whether it’s in-house or through a third-party app like DoorDash or Grubhub.