AEI Corporation

Outdoor dining has become a major part of the restaurant experience. From sidewalk cafes to full outdoor patios, diners love the chance to eat outside. Fresh air, people watching, and a relaxed feel all add to the appeal. For restaurant owners, patio seating also brings a clear opportunity to increase revenue by serving more guests for more hours of the day.

Infrared patio heaters make this possible by keeping diners warm and comfortable, even when temperatures drop or the wind picks up. When guests feel comfortable, patios stay full longer, dining hours expand, and restaurants can generate more consistent revenue from outdoor seating.

Restaurant Patios Are a Revenue Opportunity

Restaurants of all sizes can benefit from patio seating. A small cafe with a few sidewalk tables can see just as much value as a large restaurant with a full outdoor dining area.

Adding patio seating increases the number of guests a restaurant can serve at one time. More seats lead to more orders, more drinks sold, and more table turns during busy hours. Patio seating also attracts foot traffic, drawing in guests who may not have planned to dine there.

Even restaurants without a built-in patio can often convert space in front of their location into outdoor seating. Sidewalk dining, parking lot patios, and temporary outdoor setups have all become common ways to add seating without major construction costs.

The benefit is simple. Patio seating increases capacity, and increased capacity directly supports higher revenue.

The Problem With Outdoor Dining

While patio seating offers many benefits, it also comes with a challenge. Weather plays a major role in how often outdoor seating is used.

Guests usually do not want to sit outside if they feel cold while eating. Even a light chill, evening breeze, or cloudy weather can make diners uncomfortable. When guests are cold, they tend to rush meals, order fewer drinks, and skip dessert. In many cases, they will avoid the patio altogether.

This limits how often a restaurant can rely on its outdoor seating. Many patios sit empty during mornings, evenings, fall months, or in cooler regions. When patio tables go unused, potential revenue is left on the table.

The Solution: Infrared Patio Heaters

Infrared patio heaters solve this comfort issue by keeping diners warm while they eat. Unlike traditional heating methods that try to warm the surrounding air, infrared heaters warm people directly.

Infrared patio heaters emit harmless infrared light that transfers heat to people, tables, and nearby surfaces. This type of heat works especially well outdoors because it is not easily disrupted by wind.

By installing infrared patio heaters, restaurants can turn outdoor seating into a reliable extension of their dining room instead of a seasonal option.

More Seating, More Revenue

The more tables and chairs a restaurant can keep in use, the more guests it can serve. With infrared patio heaters in place, patios become usable throughout the day and into the evening.

Restaurants can seat guests outside from opening to closing time, not just during warm afternoons. Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner service can all extend onto the patio.

Comfort Changes Guest Behavior

Comfort plays a direct role in how guests behave. When diners feel warm and relaxed, they are more likely to stay longer and enjoy the full dining experience.

Comfortable guests often order additional drinks, share appetizers, and stay for dessert. They are also more likely to return for future visits and recommend the restaurant to others. Heated patios help create a positive experience that encourages repeat business and stronger customer loyalty.

Infrared Patio Heaters Offer a Strong Return on Investment

Infrared patio heaters are a practical investment for restaurants because they help generate more revenue without the need for major renovations or building expansions.

By keeping patio seating usable during cooler temperatures, restaurants can increase the number of days per year their patio is open. This alone can significantly boost annual sales. Heaters also allow restaurants to extend dining hours into the evening, when guests are more likely to order drinks and spend more time at the table.

Many restaurant owners find that infrared patio heaters pay for themselves quickly through increased table usage, higher average check sizes, and improved customer retention. Compared to construction projects or indoor expansions, patio heaters offer a faster and more affordable way to grow revenue.

How Infrared Patio Heaters Work

Infrared patio heaters work differently than traditional heaters. Instead of heating the surrounding air, they emit infrared energy that warms people and objects directly.

This makes them ideal for restaurant patios where wind and open space would normally carry warm air away. Infrared heat is directional and efficient, keeping guests comfortable even in challenging outdoor conditions.

Types of Infrared Patio Heaters for Restaurants

There are two main types of patio heaters that work especially well for restaurant patios: horizontal heaters and mushroom heaters. Each type offers unique benefits depending on the layout of the space.

Horizontal Patio Heaters

Horizontal patio heaters are rectangular or box-shaped heaters that are installed overhead. They are commonly mounted to ceilings, beams, walls, or building eaves.

These heaters emit infrared heat in the direction they are aimed. They can point straight down over tables or at an angle to cover a wider seating area.

Horizontal heaters are popular with restaurants because they keep walkways clear and preserve valuable floor space. This helps staff move safely and keeps the patio looking clean and organized.

Horizontal patio heaters run on either electric power, natural gas, or propane, offering flexibility based on available utilities.

Control Options for Horizontal Heaters

Horizontal heaters can be operated with simple or advanced control systems. Basic options include on and off switches, temperature dials, and remote controls.

Advanced control systems allow restaurants to manage heaters by zone. This means only occupied areas are heated, which helps reduce energy use and operating costs. Some systems also allow scheduled operation or smart app control through platforms like Bond.

Mushroom Patio Heaters

Mushroom patio heaters are round in shape with a top that resembles a mushroom cap. They are a familiar and popular choice for outdoor dining areas.

Mushroom heaters emit infrared heat in a full circle beneath the unit, making them ideal for centrally located seating areas.

Mushroom heaters can be suspended overhead, mounted on poles with base plates, installed directly into the ground, or made portable when paired with a wheel kit. Portable options are available for propane models.

Control and Ignition Options for Mushroom Heaters

Mushroom heaters offer several ignition and control options. Depending on the model, heaters may be manually lit or use automatic, battery-operated, or electronic ignition systems.

This variety allows restaurants to choose a setup that fits their staff workflow and safety requirements.

Choosing the Right Fuel Type for Your Patio Heaters

Infrared patio heaters use electricity, natural gas, or propane to generate heat. Each fuel option has advantages depending on the restaurant’s location and patio design.

Electric Patio Heaters

Electric patio heaters are available only as horizontal heaters. They are a popular option for restaurants looking for clean, low-maintenance heating.

These heaters must be hard-wired to the building’s electrical system by a licensed electrician. Once installed, they are simple to operate and provide steady, reliable heat.

Electric patio heaters come in many styles, including slim heaters, single or dual element heaters, and heaters with decorative faceplates. Infratech electric patio heaters also offer custom color matching to blend with patio aesthetics.

Natural Gas Heaters

Natural gas heaters are available as both horizontal and mushroom heaters. They connect directly to a restaurant’s natural gas supply and must be installed by a licensed contractor.

Once installed, natural gas heaters provide continuous heat without the need to replace fuel tanks. They are available in multiple sizes with varying BTU outputs.

Popular manufacturers include SunStar and Sunpak for horizontal heaters, and Sunglo for mushroom heaters, all offering multiple finish options.

Propane Heaters

Propane heaters are available in both horizontal and mushroom styles. They use propane tanks that must be replaced when empty.

Propane mushroom heaters are often portable because the fuel tank is housed in the base. This allows staff to reposition heaters or store them when not in use.

Propane heaters are available from SunStar, Sunpak, and Sunglo in several sizes and finishes.

Using Heated Patios to Extend Dining Hours and Seasons

Infrared patio heaters allow restaurants to use their outdoor seating earlier in the day and later into the evening. Breakfast and brunch guests can enjoy patio seating without feeling cold, while evening diners are more likely to stay longer for drinks.

Heated patios also help extend the outdoor dining season. Instead of closing patios at the end of summer, restaurants can keep seating open through fall and into cooler months, depending on climate.

Planning the Right Patio Heating Layout

Every patio space is different. Factors like size, layout, ceiling height, and wind exposure all affect heater placement and performance.

AEI helps restaurant owners design patio heating systems that deliver consistent comfort without wasting energy.

Free Heat Maps

AEI offers free heat maps that show expected heater coverage and heat zones for a specific patio layout. This helps restaurants plan seating arrangements with confidence.

Free Online Restaurant Revenue Boost Calculator

AEI also offers a free online restaurant revenue boost calculator. This tool helps estimate potential revenue increases from installing infrared patio heaters.

Free Patio Design Expert Insights

AEI’s patio design experts provide customized recommendations based on each restaurant’s needs, from heater selection to control systems and placement. Get in touch with our patio design team to get your personalized recommendations.

The Outcome for Restaurant Owners

Infrared patio heaters turn outdoor seating into a dependable source of revenue instead of a weather-dependent option.

By keeping guests warm and comfortable, restaurants can serve more customers, increase average spending, and encourage repeat visits. Patio heaters help restaurants make better use of the space they already have.

Restaurant owners looking to upgrade or install patio heaters can contact AEI’s team of patio design experts to take advantage of free planning services and expert guidance. With the right infrared patio heaters, a restaurant patio can become one of its most profitable spaces.

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