The biggest hurdle for hospitality venue managers is deciding on budget and style. The budget has to be realistic to the size and stage of the business, and the style needs to not only be functional but have a distinctive look that will fit the brand, compliment the decor of the venue, and as a whole help the venue stand out in a competitive marketplace. Plus the team have to love wearing them!
So when it comes to helping clients navigate the muddy waters of overhauling their staff uniform – or just making some updates – there are a few key things to keep in mind.
In this article we explore some of the questions you need to ask before selecting the perfect uniform for you and your team.
Defining your venue type.
Firstly you need to be able to define what type of venue you are. What's your service model? What's your approach with food and beverage? How will you be attracting your patrons? Is there a theme or concept behind your brand that needs to be considered? What vibe do you want to portray?
These are all questions your uniform provider will want to know (and should be asking) so they can advise on how uniforms will enhance those aspects in your business. In a busy bar or pub, uniforms are CRITICAL to the customer service experience. Customers need to be able to easily recognise who works there, and if your staff "blend in" to the hustle and bustle of the venue, it makes it difficult to provide a positive customer experience.
Jarrod Coulin, Sales Manager at Total Uniform Solutions, and our resident hospitality industry guru gives some insight into what happens in the early stages of a hospitality uniform refresh.
"There are so many faceless online companies these days, so I like to go out and see the client to get a feel for the venue and what they are after. If distance makes this tricky, there is a lot of research I can do beforehand to shortcut this process and lend some ideas. The team at T.U.S are very creative, and we love clients who encourage us to think outside of the box! In saying that, there are certain looks that different style venues tend to embrace, for example a Tapas or Mexican restaurant might benefit from using colour in a bold way, whereas a local brewery bar that is making it own beer in a warehouse-style venue, would be more inclined towards a rustic, worn-in look that ties in".
Translating your brand style into your uniform.
What is your overarching goal?
This is really up to what your overarching goals are for the business. Some venues value a more refined, structured and traditional vibe, while others are looking for a more relaxed, casual look. Other clients – like our friends over at Fritzenberger – wanted a military-inspired staff uniform to reflect their brand concept and interior design.
How can you use colour to complement your venue interior?
The other key factor to consider is to define your colour palette. Usually the venue interior will inspire this, but it also depends on how you want your uniforms to fit within that interior. Some clients carry through the same colour palette from their interior to the uniforms, while other venue's uniforms complement the interior but need to also stand out and be highly visible.
This can be done in a number of ways, for example a bright shirt under a neutral coloured apron might give the hint of "pop" colour you are after. Alternatively, use custom-coloured apron straps to add some extra colour to an otherwise subdued uniform colour palette. Again, it just depends on what you want to achieve.
Engaging with your staff.
As with any staff uniform, you need to consider who will be wearing them. Studies show that teams work better when the are comfortable in their uniform, can easily do their job in them, and are actually proud to wear them. In the bar and pub industry – where being "cool" counts – this is especially true of uniforms. You also need to consider fluctuating staff levels and be able to get anyone into a uniform quickly and easily. Adjustable aprons that fit all shapes and sizes are ideal and can be stored in bulk for when you need them – no need to get size details from your new or casual staff member.
A note on lead times.
Buying uniforms isn't always as easy as just walking into a retail store and pulling items off a shelf. There are a number of factors that go into the procurement process which are often overlooked by those not familiar with the process. The general rule of thumb is talk to us the minute you start planning the fit-out or rebrand. This will not only allow sufficient time to get all the logistics sorted, but save you a LOT of headaches, stress and risk doing it at the 11th hour.
Where to next?
The beauty of working with a uniform partner like T.U.S is you don't have to have all the answers upfront. We take a highly consultative approach and can guide you through the process, while also taking as much off your plate as possible – leaving you to get on with your job! Get in touch to book a consultation, get some ideas about budget and style for your new uniforms.
