With constantly changing seating capacities and distancing restrictions, your restaurant furniture has been through it all in the past year and it might be time to replace it. You may not be able to swing a total transformation of your indoor and outdoor spaces but it’s important to prioritize the furniture that really needs to go and could cause a problem for you down the line.  

Here are the key points of what to look for, going beyond cosmetic issues, while focusing on what could be potentially dangerous for your restaurant business.  

• Rust – Rust is a tricky one. While it may be just surface level, rust indicates where oxygen and moisture in the air have weakened the metal frame. This is extremely common for humid or rainy climates. Furniture that has rust corrosion is more likely to crack or break, making it dangerous. If you brought any of your indoor metal furniture outdoors, give them an inspection to identify rusted spots, and if the metal has been weakened, it’s time for a replacement. 
• Ripped Vinyl – While vinyl flaking off on a chair, bucket, or booth is more on the cosmetic side of the spectrum, deep rips in it is more serious. If the rip is more of a gash, exposing the foam underneath, this can also expose portions of the frame or a booth spring, resulting in a pointedly uncomfortable seating situation. Many furniture companies (including us!) sell seats separately so if you have a few you’re in need of switching out, it can be accomplished without purchasing a whole new frame.  
• Chipped Tables – Commercial furniture is made with constant everyday use in mind, but things happen. Sometimes the dessert cart can hit the corner of table 8 one too many times, and sometimes the same table is attacked via a fork wielded by a tantrum-throwing five-year-old. When put under too much pressure, tables can chip. This chipping can mess with the protective topcoat that resists heat and moisture. No matter your table’s material, the chip can splinter out, resulting in sharp or jagged edges. This can cause harm to customers or even get in the food – a no-go for a good customer experience. While making your priority list, identify how serious your chipped tables are to decide if it’s time for a new one and keep an eye on already-gouged areas.  
• Broken Frames – With all the rearranging of your dining area layouts, it’s easy to encounter a few broken frames. From bar stools being slammed to stack or dropping chairs in the process of being put on tables for the night, any jagged points or broken off metal will be an issue. If you’re noticing these sharp edges or see a footrest gone awry, it’s time to replace these items. Any edge can cause harm to your customers while they’re taking a seat to dine.  
• Warped Wood Tables and Seating – While very durable, wood furniture requires a climate-controlled environment to keep the integrity of the material intact. So if you brought your chairs that have wood seats outside to help accommodate more patio guests, you may notice them warping and cracking. The expanding and shrinkage of the wood can cause a change of appearance and be rendered unusable with significant cracks. This is extremely important to keep an eye on with wood seating like chairs, bar stools, booths, and benches as they could crack while in use as the wood’s bonds are weaker. If you have warped tables or seating starting to deform, it’s time to start looking for new furniture to replace them.  

Replacing your restaurant furniture out of necessity isn’t always a priority for restaurant owners, but to keep your customers safe and give them a good experience, it should be. 

If you decide that you need to purchase new furniture, you can find it all in one place at East Coast Chair & Barstool. Our helpful customer care team can help you select durable, commercial grade pieces and make reordering items simple. Visit our website or give them a call at 800-986-5352.