When modern restaurant design goes bad

Modern restaurant design can be a marvellous thing. One force of nature in the restaurant industry is fast casual dining. Convenience, speed and relaxed dining are appealing offerings of the fast casual hot spot. Yet many fast casual restaurants fall foul of fundamental modern restaurant design principals and this can cost an establishment plenty. If your premises is guilty of ignoring the following three factors, it is time for a modern restaurant design rethink:

  1. The customer journey
    Today’s customer does not come through your doors to merely purchase goods or services. Online shopping has made such transactions in and of themselves all but redundant. Instead consumers come in search of an immersive engaging experience. Entertainment, socialising and bright positive energy are all threads that make up an unforgettable time out. As such, modern restaurant design must draw together many factors from technology to evocative brand stories. Successful execution of modern restaurant design builds a strong connective relationship between patrons and the physical restaurant premises.

Take Design Clarity’s recent work with Laurent Boulangerie and Patisserie. Here an artisanal French bakery brings a taste of Paris to Melbourne. Character-filled alfresco dining under classy awnings and classic French-styled cane café chairs provides the stylish opening statement to Laurent. Destination France oozes from every pore of Laurent from a beautifully sketched Paris-scape wall providing a backdrop for indoor dining. Classic blue accents, large pendant lights and tall vase arrangements build the brand story inside. All transport patrons out of metro-Melbourne and into the heart of classic French dining

  1. Cohesive culture

Scrumptious cuisine crafts a much stronger bond with patrons when consumed in an environment that harmonises effortlessly with its theme. Cultural authenticity is one of the strongest forces modern restaurant design can cook up. Herein lies the key to a meaningful dining experience.

Design Clarity has infused convincing cultural authenticity into Nando’s Canberra. Incorporating Portugese nautical history into the fabric of Nando’s, a truly unique brand story is told. Raw natural materials, solid design, decorative floor and wall tiles plus interior structures reminiscent of old Portugese sailing ships all contribute to this modern restaurant design success story.

  1. Do it differently
    Every restaurant is singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to so-called ‘differentiators’ these days. Green cred, local ingredients and advanced technology – these catch-cries are everywhere. Trouble is, when everyone else is doing it it’s no longer a differentiator. So how can modern restaurant design carve out a niche for your establishment when it seems everyone else is on the bandwagon too? Draw on the nuances of your local environment. Where your premises is situated can be one of the key aspects that sets your restaurant apart.

Once again, Nando’s rises to the occasion to serve as a great example. At Nando’s Adelaide, Design Clarity drew heavily on South Australia’s rural and agricultural heritage for inspiration. Wielding modern restaurant design, Nando’s Adelaide has been purposefully styled to resemble a barn-like structure. Exposed trusses, farm machinery relics and even a tile pattern resembling the quintessential country tablecloth feature to express the brand story.

Modern restaurant design weaves magic with your premises. When you want to finest modern restaurant design, speak to Design Clarity first. Just check out their recent work for the likes of: