Pros and Cons of Televisions in Restaurants

by admin Tech

If you are in the restaurant business, you understand that ambiance is everything. Depending on the style of restaurant you own, this can manifest in many different ways.

One of the most significant contributing factors to a restaurant’s aesthetic is whether or not it includes televisions in its design. The inclusion of televisions drastically affects a business’s overall feel. If you are a restaurant owner who is mulling over whether to include televisions in your restaurant, take a look at this guide that outlines some pros and cons of televisions in restaurants.

TVs in Restaurants: An Overview

Television is a practically ubiquitous part of modern life. For some time, televisions existed exclusively in residential spaces, but as time and technology have progressed, they have become accepted and even expected in some businesses.

Nowadays, television sets can be found in businesses across virtually all industries, including restaurants. Determining whether this is appropriate for your institution will involve analyzing if television is an appropriate or helpful ambient tool for your business. If they are deemed appropriate, they will be an asset to your business. If not, their inclusion is detrimental.

Below, we share the pros and cons of televisions in restaurants so you can determine this for yourself.

Pros of In-Restuarant Televisions

The obvious pro of providing a television or multiple televisions in your restaurant is that televisions provide an audience with entertainment. In the right environment, a television can enhance the existing atmosphere, as well as provide programming that appeals to the people who are already there.

In the context of a sports bar or other drinking establishment, providing television entertainment can keep customers in their chairs and bring in revenue. However, this can actually be turned on its head, as many customers will sit in their chairs without continuing to purchase merchandise.

In addition, if you have multiple television sets and this does not interfere with the overall ambiance of your establishment, then having multiple television sets might make your establishment more appealing to multiple demographics.

Cons of In-Restuarant Televisions

The cons of television are almost as numerous as their benefits. For many establishments, a television will only serve as a distraction or a nuisance in terms of a group’s dining experience.

For example, televisions are rarely an asset for fine dining establishments, which thrive on a soft sense of ambiance and intimate moments. In these types of environments, a television can detract from the dining experience in the following ways:

  • Individuals pay less attention to their meals
  • Customer turnover rate goes down
  • They may forget to tip
  • They may remember the television more than your restaurant

There is some ambiguity about whether in-restaurant televisions actively distract from the dining experience. It mainly depends on the intention behind the dining and drinking experience, like having a place to watch an important sports game.

Is Television Right for My Restaurant?

If you are running a restaurant, you should ask whether a television is actively helping your business and creating a sustainable customer base.

On the contrary, determining whether or not having televisions in your business detracts from your overall bottom line can be a determining factor in terms of whether you should employ them. After all, the restaurant industry is a difficult one to begin with, and adding additional stressors can make it even harder.

In addition, the additional electricity and cable bills that come with television sets can represent an additional headache. However, should the televisions contribute to your business in a positive manner, it should be worth keeping them around. Taking a look at your accounting records should be of some use.

Your Resource for Top Electronics

KanexPro is one of the best audio-visual equipment retailers. Now that you If you are interested in exploring options for including a television in the interior of your business or restaurant, look no further than our contact to find committed professionals who understand the market.