Table of contents
The temps are higher. The sun stays up longer. Holidays are on the brain. In the summer, customers have even more reason to say yes to another round. With the Australian restaurant industry set to achieve $21.3 billion in 2024–25 – an 18% jump since 2018 – now’s the perfect time for your restaurant to make the most of increased dining as people head out to enjoy a meal and drink in the warmer weather.
As you prepare for summer service, taking a closer look at your business can help make sure your team is set up for success. Making strategic changes to your menu, floor plan layout and staffing levels, for instance, are all ways you can handle higher traffic volumes and, as a result, maximise profits.
1. Use data to guide your menu
The key to a winning summer dining menu is using fresh, seasonal ingredients that cater to your guests’ cravings. Think about highlighting locally sourced produce or environmentally friendly options, and adding health-focused ingredients. Offering flexibility for different dietary requirements and exploring creative flavour mashups can also make your menu stand out. TokyoTaco in Newtown, for example, serves up a blend of Japanese and Mexican cuisine with a variety of low-gluten and plant-based choices.
Why not also take inspiration from abroad? In the U.S., where summer recently wrapped up, Square survey data revealed that 60% of surveyed restaurant owners predict that charcuterie boards and other snacks will be a major attraction, ahead of desserts, entrees and beverages. That’s your cue to introduce dishes that are lighter and brighter – think appetisers and small bites. When it comes to beverages, 52% of surveyed restaurant owners plan to increase the number of beverage items on their menu, with items like smoothies with antioxidants, functional water and nitro cold beer appearing on both plan-to-add and plan-to-keep lists.
Before finalising any menu changes, remember to tap into your own restaurant data as well. You’ll uncover unique seasonal trends and insights that can help you make data-backed menu decisions that align with your customer preferences. Square Dashboard, for example, gives you detailed insight into your best-selling items for a given period. And if you run multiple locations, you can use the Dashboard to compare performance and optimise your operations.
2. Rethink your restaurant layout
The changing season is a great time to revisit your floor plan and seating arrangements. You can create and manage multiple floor plans from your Square Dashboard, giving you complete control over the dining experience. For example, you might use one layout for lunch service and a different one for dinner service, or different floor plans for each location if you manage multiple locations.
If you have the space, adding outdoor seating is a smart move. An inviting outdoor space can also help you bring in more money for your business through new ways, like hosting small groups, special events or classes. Take Melbourne’s Mr Burton, for instance: their courtyard can function as part of full service or transform into a private event space – all while indoor service continues seamlessly. They even go the extra mile with add-ons like a private bar and an ice cream cart, turning their outdoor space into a revenue-boosting highlight.
3. Adjust staffing and operations
More customers often means you’ll need extra hands. So, think about hiring seasonal staff to manage any expected influx. For smooth service, deliver comprehensive training for temporary hires so they know the ins and outs of your restaurant’s standards and menu offerings.
Besides staffing, keeping kitchen operations streamlined is crucial to slashing wait times, avoiding errors and boosting customer satisfaction. Up-levelling your food preparation process might mean rearranging the kitchen layout, upgrading equipment or introducing technologies like a kitchen display system (KDS) that can help speed up service.
How? The Square KDS allows you to stay on top of front- and back-of-house operations and field orders from anywhere – your point-of-sale (POS) system, website or third-party delivery services. Other tools, like QR code menus or handheld POS systems like Square Terminal, can help improve order accuracy and cut wait times. In a 2025 Square survey, over one-third of restaurant leaders said investing in tools like these helps them save time during the ordering process and serve diners faster.
4. Spread the word
As you beef up for the season, remember to share your plans with your guests. Loyal customers crave those updates, and receiving communications from local businesses helps them feel more connected. According to the Square 2025 Future of Commerce report, most customers prefer one-to-one messaging when it comes to staying in touch – email leads the way (63%), followed by text messages (44%). Social media is also in the mix, with Facebook (22%) and Instagram (15%) as customer favourites for getting updates.
Use this to your advantage by sending personalised email newsletters or text messages with details about your summer specials, events and promotions. You can also reach a wide audience by sharing regular updates across your social media channels. These announcements help build buzz and excitement and make your restaurant top of mind for customers stepping into the season.
By adopting a strategic approach to your summer plans, your restaurant can take advantage of the season’s potential to attract new faces and keep your regulars coming back. For more insights into the latest restaurant trends and consumer preferences, access the Square 2025 Future of Restaurants report.