The office conference room is the place where most businesses hold their meetings, but sometimes, you may want to switch things up a bit and move your meeting to a new venue, like a restaurant.
A restaurant can be a nice change of scenery for everyone attending the meeting and you and your colleagues can treat yourselves to some good food too. However, simply booking a restaurant for a meeting won’t be enough; there are a few other factors that need to be addressed before you move your meeting to a restaurant.
Let’s take a look at how you can plan an important business meeting at a restaurant.
1. Ambiance Deliberations
First things first—you need to pick a restaurant that will leave a good first impression on the meeting’s attendees. This is especially important when you’re expecting people from outside the company to attend your meeting. Here are some important factors you should consider:
Noise Levels
At a meeting, you need to be able to hear yourself think. With this in mind, you should choose a restaurant with low to moderate noise levels. In this case, it may be good to avoid family restaurants as these can be noisy with small children present or restaurants that offer private rooms for corporate meetings.
Formality
The restaurant should have a certain degree of formality. This would make it an ideal place for a company meeting and leave a good first impression on the attendees. A restaurant with upscale furniture and settings would be the most ideal.
Lighting
Bright overhead lights may not be ideal for a meeting so look for a restaurant that has very warm lighting. This kind of lighting creates a calm atmosphere that can encourage people to communicate with ease.
Location
If everyone who’s attending the meeting will be arriving separately, you should choose a restaurant that’s in an easily accessible location. Also, the restaurant should have a reasonable amount of parking space.
2. Restaurant Considerations
A good meal can leave a positive impression on attendees at your meeting. However, there’s a bit more that you need to think about than just food:
Service
The restaurant should be known for offering prompt and highly professional service. Also, the staff should be able to manage special requests and navigate dietary restrictions efficiently.
Menu Options
A good restaurant for a business meeting should have a diverse menu to suit different palates. Also, ask the restaurant if they offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for your colleagues who have very specific dietary needs.
Price
You must choose a restaurant that fits your company’s budget. Ask the restaurant if they offer different price points and set menu options for corporate events.
Privacy
Confidentiality is a critical part of any business meeting at a restaurant. As we mentioned earlier, you should choose a restaurant that offers quiet private spaces that are, preferably, away from the common dining area and other patrons.
3. Menu Choices
When it comes to the food itself, you need to choose a restaurant that offers food that can set the right mood for the meeting. Let’s look at a few tips:
Light Foods
Preferably, the restaurant should offer some light menu options. Heavy meals can take a while to eat and they can leave the meeting’s attendees feeling sluggish afterwards.
Finger Foods
Be careful with appetizers, they can get a bit messy and distracting. If you want to order appetizers for the meeting, ask the restaurant if they have bite-sized appetizers that can be eaten without utensils.
Presentation
The food at the restaurant shouldn’t just taste good—it should look good as well. While this won’t have much bearing on the meeting itself, well-presented food can leave a lasting impression on the attendees.
Dietary Restrictions
If any of your colleagues have food allergies, make sure to ask the restaurant in advance if they can accommodate specific dietary requirements.
4. How Can Restaurants Make Your Meetings Better?
Here’s how restaurants can go the distance to ensure your meeting goes smoothly:
Attentive Service
A restaurant will have well-trained staff who are attentive without being intrusive. They’ll make sure your glasses are filled, food is served on time, and a private space for your meeting is set up before you and the rest of the attendees arrive.
Flexible Planning
Good restaurants always try to be flexible. If you have any specific requirements for your meeting, they’ll do their best to accommodate them. Also, they can be flexible with timings and bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about planning important business meeting at a restaurant:
Will restaurants only allow the meeting to be held for a certain amount of time?
Yes, in most cases, the private rooms of a restaurant can only be booked for a set number of hours. After this, the meeting must be wrapped up.
How early should I book a private room in a restaurant?
You should ideally make bookings a week in advance or even earlier during peak periods.
What do I do if the private rooms are all booked out?
Ask the restaurant if they can locate you and the meeting’s attendees to a part of the restaurant that’s in a quiet part of the restaurant. If this arrangement won’t work for you, you might want to ask the restaurant when their private spaces will be available.
Try holding a business meeting at a restaurant for a change
Holding your next business meeting at a restaurant can be a good way to take your staff and other meeting attendees to a new environment, where they can brainstorm. Holding a meeting at a restaurant isn’t just about the food; it’s also about creating the scene for a successful business encounter.
Get in touch with a restaurant with private spaces and a good restaurant menu for your business meeting today.