Stop Losing Money to the Cold
The second the temperature dips, your outdoor tables start feeling like liabilities. It’s frustrating. You’ve got the space, but nobody wants to sit in a breeze that cuts right through their coat. The mistake most people make is trying to heat the air. That’s a losing battle—the wind just carries the warmth away. Instead, you want to heat the people. That’s where shortwave infrared comes in. Think of it like the sun. It doesn’t warm up the atmosphere; it hits your skin and clothes directly. It’s instant. No more “waiting for it to kick in” We use high-wattage emitters because they create a concentrated punch of heat. When a guest sits down, they feel it immediately. No shivering while they look at the menu. Just instant warmth. Now, a quick heads-up on the setup: these aren’t “plug-and-play” space heaters. You can’t just daisy-chain them into a power strip or you’ll be tripping breakers all night. They need their own dedicated circuit. I always suggest hard-wiring them into the ceiling or overhead beams. It keeps your floors clear of trip hazards and keeps the gear safe. Plus, we use powder-coated aluminum, so you don’t have to worry about rust or salt air eating away at your investment. The bottom line: Warm guests spend more It’s simple math. A cold customer wants to get the check and get home. A warm customer? They’re staying for that second glass of wine or a slice of cake. When you keep that “perceived temperature” around 72°F, the vibe changes. People relax. They linger. Your check averages go up. But there is a trick to getting it right. Shortwave heaters have a pretty intense glow. If you mount them too low, you’re basically putting a heat lamp on your guests’ heads. It’s annoying and creates “hot spots” that make some tables feel like an oven while others are freezing. You have to nail the mounting height based on the wattage. Get that balance right, and your guests won’t even notice the heater—they’ll just wonder why it feels so cozy outside in the middle of January.