There’s no doubt that uniforms are powerful tools for most businesses, but they are an especially important factor for hospitality businesses that deal with serving food or drinks to guests. Unlike “softer” businesses, like those in the retail or corporate industry, uniforms used in pubs, cafes, and restaurants need to be as hard working as their environment is. On top of that, they also need to be attractive – considering how great presentation is important for making a good, lasting first impression. As such, choosing the right uniform for your hospitality business can be a lot more complicated than it seems.
Function First
It’s true that a uniform should be stylish, but only as long as it’s functional and practical. If your staff’s uniforms don’t make the job of serving easier, they will only cause frustration no matter how good-looking they are. Consider aprons with large functional pockets that can help discretely store the notepads, pens, and tablets used to take orders. Adjustable straps, suspenders, and buckles can ensure a correct fit and allow your staff to put on their uniform quickly and easily.
Showcase Your Brand
Unique uniforms that perfectly represent your brand do not have to be necessarily expensive. You only need to think creatively, considering how the simple white apron is easy to customize. This way, you can make a great impression at an affordable price. Try to come up with smart ways to customize your uniforms, be it with the help of logo badges, embroidered slogans, caps and hats, ties or scarves. Be careful though, you don’t want to go overboard and make your staff look like a decorated Christmas tree. Remember, only a few tasteful details can make a better impact than too much of them.
A Clean Image
Cleanliness is certainly something you’d want your guests to associate your business with. Since nothing looks fresher and cleaner than white, most hospitality businesses opt for the timeless white apron. Gray and darker coloured aprons are also popular because stains and spills can appear less noticeable on them. But whatever colour you choose, make sure to wash and bleach your uniforms regularly in order to keep them sanitary and representable. Considering this, it’s important to choose hard-wearing materials that can withstand the frequent washing.
Quality Fabrics
Even if there are no visible stains, it’s important to regularly launder your staff’s uniforms to remove the odours that can stick from food and alcohol. In general, stains and odours are easier to remove from natural fabrics such as cotton, whereas polyester is better in withstanding the regular washing. You should also consider whether the material your aprons are made of is suitable for your specific climate and working conditions. Since the weather in Australia is warm for the most part, uniforms made of lighter and breathable fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, and polyester, can keep your staff comfortable and fresh even on the super busy days.
