When it comes time to buy furniture for their restaurants, many new owners ask about the ideal number of seats for the square footage of their dining rooms. The truth is, like most things, that there is no hard and fast rule for the exact number of seats in your restaurant, but there are guidelines that we are happy to share below.
| Restaurant Type | Square Feet to Allocate per Person | Number of Seats per 1000 SQFT |
| Fine Dining | 20 SQFT | 50 |
| Fast Casual / Counter Service | 20 SQFT | 50 |
| Cafeteria | 16 SQFT | 60 |
| Fast Food | 14 SQFT | 70 |
| Banquet Center | 10 SQFT | 100 |
These guidelines are just general rules of thumb. The actual number of seats that you can fit comfortably in your dining area depends on a few different variables. For example, if you are planning to make heavy use of booth and countertop seating, then you may be able to squeeze in a few more seats. On the other hand, if you are using oversize furniture or plan to make your aisles wide enough for wheelchairs or tableside service, then you will need to reduce the number of seats. In the end, it all boils down to common sense, personal preference, and meeting the needs of your business.
