More Tables = More Profits: A Practical Guide for Festive Hospitality
Christmas, it’s that special time of year when people love to put on their party clothes and get together with family, friends, and work colleagues to celebrate the season. It truly is a case of eat, drink, and be merry, which is great news for hospitality businesses across the UK.
So, you could operate ‘business as usual’ or you could optimise your space and potentially make an extra £54,000 per week over the Christmas period! It might sound too good to be true, but we’ve done the maths. By simply adding extra covers and increasing your table turnover during the festivities, you can massively boost your profits.
Shown here: Sheldon Side Chair, Character Oak Table Top, Castano Table Base
Eat, Drink, and be Merry!
Data suggests that the average cost of a meal plus drinks during the festive period is between £40 and £60, with a three-course meal on Christmas Day demanding considerably more. So, we’ve estimated that the average dinner out, for an adult, costs £50.
According to a recent article by Hospitality Marketing, reservations for Christmas were up 54% in 2024 compared to 2023, and group bookings of 10 or more rose by 38%. And it’s good to be prepared - high-demand dates, particularly Fridays and Saturdays from late November, often sell out by early October.
And a survey by Bidfood found that one third of the UK population plan to increase their time in pubs, bars, and restaurants during the festive season, with 44% of people planning to eat out at least once per week during the Christmas in a bid to increase social activity and spend more time with friends and family.
More Tables = More Profits
So, let’s look at how much you can increase profits based on our estimated average spend. The holidays see a huge uplift in guests numbers, so plan it right, and you could turn three tables per day – take a look at this handy blog by OpenTable for useful advice on how to optimise table turnover.
Using the average spend of £50 per person for food and drinks, we’ve calculated that just by adding one table of four could increase your income by around £3,600 per week.
The figures below give you an idea of increased weekly revenue based on a six-day week:
- 5 x four-seater tables: £18,000
- 10 x four-seater tables: £36,000
- 5 x six-seater tables: £27,000
- 10 x six-seater tables: £54,000
Shown here: Aztec Lounge Armchair, Omega Table Top, Moderno Table Base
How to Create Extra Space in Your Venue
So, how much space to do you need to fit in all these extra covers? We got our tape measure and took to the showroom to see how much space you would need to add extra tables and chairs. Here’s what we found:
- An average two-seater table with chairs measures 70cm x 140cm
- An average four-seater table with chairs measures 120cm x 140cm
- An average six-seater table with chairs measures 180cm x 140cm
Obviously, you need to leave space around the furniture for comfort, safety, and flow. To allow customers to get in and out easily without disturbing others, and for staff to move, aim for at least 45cm between the backs of chairs from different tables. Fire safety regulations also require clear, identifiable gangways of adequate width to allow for safe evacuation.
A recent blog by ResDiary, that discusses smart ways to get your restaurant ready for the festive season, suggests that you should start taking bookings as early as possible, and using a smart booking system will help to understand group sizes and configure a more effective layout. In addition, 44% of venues said they miss out on potential bookings because staff are too busy to answer the phone, so offering online booking makes a lot of sense.
Many venues might only be able to squeeze in an extra table or two or perhaps utilise current dead space, so it’s worth considering adding a marquee to your outdoor area. Depending on the size of your outside space and the marquee you decide on, you could almost double your indoor capacity
Also think about catering for groups of different sizes. A number of smaller tables that can be pushed together for larger groups, if necessary, is more versatile than a few larger tables that may end up with unused places. If you’re concerned about the stability tables that have been put together, fear not! Our range of FLAT Table Bases uses clever hydraulic technology that allows you, with one push to the corner of each table, to align multiples and create an even, functional surface.
Bar tables and stools are also worth considering if space is at a premium. This type of furniture typically has a more compact design than standard dining tables and chairs. This allows you to fit more seating into a smaller area, increasing your overall capacity. Bar furniture brings with it a more relaxed vibe, but not all customers would feel comfortable sat so high up, so keep this in mind, and keep your offering versatile.
Make the Festive Season Work for Your Business
We recommend planning for the festive season at least four months in advance, encouraging online booking and offering set menus to make life easier for your staff. Increasing your covers both indoors and outside enables you to welcome the maximum number of guests during this busy period. You should also optimise your table turnover, allowing you to increase capacity throughout the day. If are able to add in ten six-seater tables for the run-up to Christmas, an extra £54,000 per week quickly turns into hundreds of thousands of pounds over the course of a month and a half. But even if you can only fit in an extra table or two, it equates to thousands that would otherwise be spent elsewhere.
Get in Touch...
At Eclipse Furniture, we offer a wide range of high-quality, commercial-grade furniture designed to enhance your venue and optimise your space. Contact us today on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk for a complimentary consultation and let us help you choose the furniture for your business.
