Stay Warm, Eat Outdoors: Patio Heaters for Restaurants
Outdoor dining is more popular than ever. People love sitting outside, enjoying a meal with fresh air and sunshine. For restaurant owners, patio seating is a smart way to serve more guests and boost business without expensive construction. But when it gets cold—after sunset, during cooler months, or in colder locations—customers won't stay outside unless they're warm and comfortable.
That's where patio heaters come in.
Keep Your Patio Warm, Keep Your Customers Happy
When people think of patios, warmth is just as important as nice views or tasty food. Even if it's sunny or protected from rain, a cold patio won't attract diners. Infrared patio heaters solve this problem by providing comfortable warmth, keeping customers cozy enough to eat outside, even in chilly weather.
Infrared heaters work differently than regular heaters. Instead of warming the air—which quickly blows away outside—they directly warm the people sitting nearby. This makes them very effective outdoors.
Restaurants typically choose between two types of patio heaters: mushroom heaters and horizontal heaters.
Mushroom Heaters: Portable and Powerful
Mushroom heaters get their name from their round, mushroom-like shape. They spread warmth in a circle around them. These heaters come in different types:
- Natural Gas Mushroom Heaters: These connect directly to your restaurant’s natural gas line. They offer steady heat without the need to change fuel tanks, but can’t be moved.
- Propane Mushroom Heaters: These heaters have a propane tank hidden in their base. Propane mushroom heaters can be portable, so you can easily move them wherever they're needed most.
- Hanging Mushroom Heaters: Perfect for patios with limited floor space, these hang from ceilings or overhead structures.
Horizontal Heaters: Directional and Efficient
Horizontal heaters have a rectangular shape and send heat in one direction, covering a wide area. These are mounted from sturdy outdoor structures, ceilings, walls, or eaves of a building. Like mushroom heaters, horizontal heaters use natural gas or propane. But we also carry horizontal heaters that run on electricity, providing more installation flexibility.
- Natural Gas Horizontal Heaters: Are also connected directly to your restaurant’s natural gas line. They offer steady heat without the need to change fuel tanks.
- Propane Horizontal Heaters: These heaters utilize propane tanks as their fuel source. This allows you to install heaters in areas or locations where natural gas or electricity aren’t available.
- Electric Horizontal Heaters: Perfect for patios with limited floor space, these hang from ceilings or overhead structures.
Quality Brands That Restaurants Trust
At AEI, we carry five trusted brands of commercial patio heaters specifically designed for restaurants: Infratech, Patio Comfort, Sunglo, Sunpak, and SunStar.
- Infratech: Specializes in electric horizontal heaters. Available in various sizes, power options, and custom control systems. Infratech also offers heaters with decorative faceplates and customized color-matching to perfectly fit your restaurant’s décor.
- Patio Comfort: Offers classic mushroom heaters powered by natural gas or propane. Available in several colors, including a stylish Vintage Series that enhances your patio's charm.
- Sunglo: Known for reliable mushroom heaters, including a unique hanging model. They provide steady heat with natural gas or propane and have been trusted by restaurants for over 50 years.
- Sunpak: Provides horizontal heaters that operate on natural gas or propane. You can easily control the warmth with remote controls or switches, making them user-friendly.
- SunStar: Offers durable horizontal patio heaters, perfect for coastal areas because of their marine-grade stainless steel that resists corrosion. Available in two attractive finishes, SunStar heaters blend perfectly into any outdoor setting.
Increase Your Restaurant’s Profits with Patio Heaters
Investing in patio heaters isn't just about comfort; it's also smart business. Restaurants using patio heaters often see a quick return on investment because they attract more customers, increase seating capacity, and keep them seated longer. Customers enjoy dining outdoors when they know they’ll stay warm, so patio seating fills up faster and turns over more frequently.
Adding patio heaters can significantly extend your outdoor dining hours. Instead of closing outdoor seating at sunset or during colder evenings, you can comfortably seat guests late into the night. This means more customers served and higher revenue every day.
More Days, More Profits
Patio heaters also let restaurants use their outdoor seating for more days throughout the year. Instead of being limited to only warmer months, restaurants equipped with patio heaters can start outdoor dining earlier in spring and continue later into fall or even year-round in milder climates. This greatly expands the number of profitable days each year, giving restaurants an advantage over competitors who shut down outdoor dining during cooler periods.
Think about your restaurant's location. Whether you're in a mountain town, a busy city, or along the coast, patio heaters can significantly improve your restaurant’s appeal. Customers love knowing they can count on comfortable outdoor seating, no matter the weather.
Enjoy Outdoor Dining All Year Round
Restaurant owners love patio heaters because they allow their customers to comfortably dine outdoors even when temperatures drop. Happy, warm customers stay longer, return often, and tell their friends about their enjoyable outdoor dining experiences.
With the right patio heaters, you can keep your outdoor seating open and profitable, no matter what the weather brings. At AEI, we make it easy to choose the perfect heater for your restaurant patio, helping you serve more customers comfortably, day after day.
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