Dog Friendly Restaurants – The Pros and Cons

For years, people could not take their dogs out to restaurants because of the rules and regulations of the establishment. Today, however, this trend is changing and more restaurants are allowing dogs in their outside spaces. While this trend is becoming more popular, it's not accepted in every restaurant and not everyone will want to dine at dog-friendly establishments. So should your business allow dogs? We'll look at the pros and cons of letting dogs into your business and give some helpful tips for making sure your dog-friendly space is still profitable if you decide to allow them in.

Find Dog-Friendly Restaurants Near You

Easiest ways to find a food establishment that will allow your pooch to be with you at all times:

• BringFido: Useful when finding pet-friendly hotels, pet-friendly restaurants, parks, and other activities that are dog-friendly.

Advantages of Pet-friendly Establishments

Dog-friendly patios have pros.

It's important to determine whether or not to allow animals in your establishment's outdoor spaces. You need to be careful about what you do when you let them. Allowing dogs in outdoor spaces can be a great way to attract new customers and create a lively atmosphere in your business.

Here are some reasons why you might want to allow dogs in your business:

The Majority of the Younger Generations are Fur Parents

The younger generations are a major influence in the restaurant industry. A recent study has found that dog ownership is growing amongst younger generations and that these people want to take their dogs with them when they go out. If you allow dogs on your patio, then you can attract this market and bring in more customers. You can also convert them to returning customers since the majority of the people would want to spend their time with their whole family even on day trips, making your dog-friendly space profitable.

The Appeal of Dog-friendly Patios can Be Beneficial.

One of the advantages of having dog-friendly patios is to attract passers-by who are also fur-parents. This is also something that is marketable on social media. You can advertise your dog-friendly patio to millions of people that also gush over cute TikTok videos or Instagram reels of dogs eating treats. This can work to your advantage since this is a great way to offer special menus especially catered to your furry friend

Disadvantages of Pet-friendly Establishments

There are both advantages and disadvantages to allowing dogs into your business. Here are some pros and cons of creating a dog-friendly restaurant space:

If you invite dogs into your business, you may lose some customers who are allergic to or dislike dogs.

While many patrons enjoy dogs, not everyone enjoys them when they're eating. Especially if they're allergic to dogs. It all comes down to your pet policies. You may opt to only allow dogs in certain areas or places where their barking or flying fur will not bother other customers. Having a fantastic indoor-outdoor space is possible if you try to make a dog-friendly outdoor space.

The Mess and Disruption

Dogs have different personalities: some may be more uproarious than others. They may start barking when they want a piece of your delicious fresh pizza. In these situations, it can bother some customers. Employees may also have to intervene in case they become too boisterous. Messes are also bound to happen. You can mitigate this by having a spacious patio and serving dog-friendly options to curb your pup's hunger.

Final Verdict: Should I let dogs in my restaurant?

As mentioned, there are pros and cons when it comes to making your restaurant a dog-friendly option. It would all come down to how you would implement your pet policies and how you would outline your space and outdoor seating. You may want to consider having a fantastic indoor-outdoor space that can cater to different kinds of customers. We have gathered a few tips that you can consider if you want to make your space the perfect spot for your family.

How to Make the Most of Your Dog-Friendly Space

If you've decided that you want to allow dogs into your store, there are several things that you can do so that your decision will be profitable for your business. These tactics can help make your dog-friendly space profitable. 

• Create a Dog-friendly patio. Having an outdoor patio and only allowing fur parents to be seated there is a great option to create space for all types of customers. If space is an issue and an expansive patio is not possible, make sure that you can at least have an airy patio. Make outdoor dining possible by using outdoor tables or picnic tables. 
• Utilize and list your restaurant on apps like BringFido. There are many dog-friendly apps that you can use to promote your dog-friendly outdoor space. You can choose to upload content featuring furry pets to appeal to fur parents, as well as showcase the outdoor patios and ensure them that they have specific outdoor tables for a great experience. 

  

• Have an actual pet menu. Your dogs will surely salivate at the sight of you eating Italian dishes. Create a food menu specifically for them so that owners can also treat their dogs, making your space profitable. You don't have to have a wide range of canine brunch menu. You can stick to some popular, distinct dog menu items such as hamburger patties, meatballs, or bacon.
• Provide a bowl of water. Once you see a patron with their furry pups, you can immediately bring out a bowl of water for them. Serving them cold drinks on hot days will be greatly appreciated and this would be something that is memorable for them. 

  

While we can all admit that every dog is a cute boy or girl in his or her own special way, whether they should be allowed on restaurant patio tables is an entirely different discussion. There are both pros and cons to allowing pets in your outdoor space. While they can bring in customers and increase your sales, they can also drive some customers off. Make sure to carefully consider all your options before making a decision.

Looking for Essentials to Run your Restaurant?

Whether or not you are allowing pets in your establishment, good-quality appliances and accessories are a must. Here at CulinaryDepot, we carry all the essentials for your commercial kitchen. Contact us or visit our online store for more information.