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Consumer Trends

Make restaurant patios pup-ready

By Jill Failla on Apr. 13, 2017
dogs at restaurant
Dogs have been keeping their owners company on restaurant patios for ages, though perhaps not entirely legally. As state laws become more inclusive of pooches on patios, some restaurants are appealing to dog owners by offering thoughtful amenities to their furry guests. In Los Angeles, for example, The Morrison Pub offers a dog menu with $6 hamburger, chicken or hot dog and rice bowls, which owner Marc Kreiner says nearly all dog owners order during their visit. 
 
Others take a more preemptive approach. “We engage the dog-owner community before they ever set foot in our restaurant,” says Tiffany Kane, general manager of two-unit Dunlays in Chicago. The sports bar puts water bowls by the patio and hands out treats to dogs passing by in order to gain the attention of their human pals. 
 
As the weather warms up, operators may want to learn how to best manage canines on an operational and legal level. Here are some tips from seasoned operators. 
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dog friendly sign

Inform via signage

Megan Santonicola, director of operations at Dallas-based Cane Rosso, says signs—from “It’s a dog-friendly patio” to providing the health department number—help keep all guests happy by alerting them to dogs and giving an outlet for grievances. 

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dog friendly restaurant patio

Keep the center of the patio clear

 “We put our medium- and big-size dogs off to the side, or at the very front or back of the patio, so they have extra room to lay out,” says Kane. “If there’s a customer that looks put off by the dogs but still wants to sit on the patio, we can seat them in the middle.” 

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pet safe cleaning supplies

Stock separate cleaning supplies

And make sure to only use pet-friendly products. Santonicola stocks a pooper scooper and a separate trash can labeled for dog waste. She says that patios should have water and hose access, in order to clean up messes quickly and sanitarily. 

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patio umbrellas

Must love dogs: How restaurants can attract dog-owning diners

Invest in patio umbrellas.

What happens when diners are eating outside with their dogs and it starts to drizzle? The simple answer for Dunlays was umbrellas. With the large covers, Kane says most guests stay dry and are able to stay outside with their pets. 

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  • Must love dogs: How restaurants can attract dog-owning diners

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