For the past 15 months, StruXure has helped many restaurants create new outdoor seating configurations, as well as to cover existing open-air seating, so that eateries could continue serving their customers. It wasn’t a new idea, but the pandemic certainly motivated restauranteurs to find an outdoor seating solution in a hurry, and StruXure was ready.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) 2021 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, 62% of fine dining and 56% of casual dining operators dedicated more resources to developing and expanding outdoor dining since the start of the pandemic.
“We’ve been installing our Pergola X product at restaurants, country clubs, and other commercial properties for years,” said StruXure’s CEO, Scott Selzer, “but when restaurants were forced to close their indoor dining due to COVID-19 restrictions, it became critical for them to create comfortable outdoor spaces in which to serve their patrons in order to stay in business.”
The Pergola X is made of strong, ultra-durable powder-coated extruded aluminum. With automated louvers that pivot 170-degrees, it offers versatile weather protection. The system can also accommodate lights, fans, heaters, and screens. An integrated 360° patented gutter system collects rainwater from the closed louvers and sends it to concealed downspouts for the most water-tight system on the market, offering one more way to keep customers comfortable while dining outdoors. The automation is provided using top-of-the-line Somfy motors and the MyLink app, providing confidence and ease when adjusting the louvers, and any add-ons, at the touch of a button.
StruXure’s Pergola X helps businesses expand by optimizing the property they already own. “It’s a relatively quick install yet a long-term solution,” added Selzer, “for an investment that produces big dividends.” And, based on the NRA Report that also shows 85% of consumers who are planning to return to on-premise dining would consider choosing at an outdoor table, there is evidence that concerns about health and dining out will linger. However, there is also evidence that people want their dine-out options back (restaurant sales rose sharply in March 2021 according to the U.S. Census Bureau). For more information on Pergola X for restaurants, go to https://struxure.com/products/pergola-x/commercial/.