Save Time and Money with Medical Furniture Upholstery Repair
At Color Glo International, we have products and processes that clean and restore medical and dental furniture to keep your expensive assets from getting worn out. We save you time and money in the long-run - up to 90% of the cost of replacement.
Medical Furniture Upholstery Repair
When it comes to commercial equipment (especially medical and dental furniture) the cost of procuring everything you need to outfit your business can be horrendous. But that's just step one - getting the place in order. Daily use can very quickly wear the surfaces of your dental chairs, medial beds and office chairs. Replacing these items is often not very cost-effective and not typically in the budget as wear and tear appears at unexpected times.
What should you do...
Color Glo International can help.
At Color Glo International, we have products and processes that clean and restore these medical furniture categories to keep your expensive assets from getting worn out, saving you time and money in the long-run.
- Examination tables.
- Rolling stools.
- Dental chairs.
- Waiting room furniture.
- Other medical or dental vinyl / leather furniture.
Color Glo International is the World Leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of Automotive, Aircraft, Marine and Furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries world wide. Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today. See the MATERIALS WE SERVICE.
Medical & Dental Furniture
Color Glo Franchise operations offer advanced equipment, products along with tried and true processes in the industry for medical furniture upholstery repair.
The certified technicians at CGI can revitalize your examination tables and waiting room furniture. Restoration will enhance their natural beauty and strength, making them look and feel like new again. Since we're an international franchise operation, our skilled franchise owners will come to your location and meticulously restore and repair your vinyl and leather furniture.
Save time and money. Eliminate scuffs, scratches, rips, tears, scrapes, and color fasting that may happen over time. Color Glo technicians will restore, renew and re-dye all leather, vinyl and upholstered furniture. The cost savings can be up to 90% of the typical cost of replacement. Repair and restoration services are done on your watch and at your office or location so that your business keeps running smoothly. In many cases, repairs can be done same-day. There's simply no easier or faster way to address aging furniture that can look like new again.
Dental Chair Restoration by Color Glo International
Medical Vinyl Restoration by Color Glo International
Restore your investments
Clients and customers notice the little things. Minor damage can be a major factor in a patient's impression of your medical or dental practice. Let CGI's team of upholstery professionals repair, recover, re-dye and bring new life back into your exam chair and tables, stools, and waiting room furniture.
When it comes to cost-effective implementation, Color Glo International can help you save up to 90% of the total cost of buying new medical furniture.
Materials We Service
How To Care For Your Leather Furniture
Purchasing furniture can be frustrating as well as exciting for many people. If you're like most of us, when the time comes to make decisions, you begin to have doubts about your choices. Have no fear! Make leather furniture purchases with complete confidence.
Purchasing furniture can be frustrating as well as exciting for many people. If you're like most of us, when the time comes to make decisions, you begin to have doubts about your choices. This is pretty common with leather furniture. We've gathered up the best leather care tips to help aid you in your leather furniture buying decisions. Have no fear! Make leather furniture purchases with complete confidence.
The piece of leather furniture can really make a statement.
Leather Furniture Myths Debunked
Leather furniture gets easily damaged by children and pets. No. Your leather furniture is as safe as any other furniture in the house. For an added layer of "piece of mind", you can choose a protected leather for your furniture, which has an extra finish applied to it to make it extra-resilient to potential hazards. There are some dogs that think the couch is their chew toy and some cats that assume it is their scratching post. That is a different issue altogether. The later issue can be resolved by making your own cat repellant spray.
Leather furniture is too cold or too hot. No. You're basing your leather discrimination on your automobile's leather seats in a midwestern environment. Outside is typically either "too cold" or "too hot". Leather furniture indoors will remain pleasantly cool in the summer and warm to your body heat in the winter, with no harsh beginnings as your home usually comfortable inside. Our only tip may be to keep it out of the direct sun. The sun can both heat the leather up and make it uncomfortably hot as well as fade its character.
Leather furniture doesn't last. Negative ghost rider. Leather furniture (if bought at a high quality) is something you purchase for a lifetime. Since leather is a natural product, the process of aging brings out its natural patina. To some, leather furniture may age like a fine wine, bringing out deeper layers of beauty over time. Generally speaking, leather furniture is a sound home investment.
Leather furniture is only for rich people. No. Though leather furniture may look luxurious in many cases, you don't have to be a rock star to outfit your home with it. Even if buying at the top-end of leather furniture, you'll find that it lasts much longer than fabric and be a much better value for your home.
Leather furniture is too hard to care for. No. It's all in routine, just like your other household responsibilities. Leather is very easy to care for. You'll want to use a conditioner every 6-12 months and wipe up spills as they are occurring with a clean cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaning supplies like soaps, detergents, solvents, etc. These will only leave stains and dry up or damage your leather. Saddle soap? Only for catcher's mitts.
This brings us to the next section.
Tips & Tricks to Care For Your Leather Furniture
Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your leather furniture beautiful and easily cared for, for many years to come. ** Some leather comes with very specific cleaning and maintenance. Always be sure to consult the manufacturer's recommendations before following this guide.
In normal living conditions or what the manufacturer may consider normal usage, all that should be necessary to keep your leather furniture in tip-top condition is a regular vacuuming in the crevices and a dry cloth dusting to remove direct and dust build up.
Purchase a good leather conditioner (your furniture retailer can recommend one). Make good use of it every 6-12 months.
Like any upholstery material, leather can fade if over-exposed to the sun. Protect your leather furniture from sun, as well as outdoor elements.
Use a clean terry cloth to wipe spills and clean up messes.
Methods of Cleaning Leather Furniture
Just like bleaching your hair using self-tanning spray... always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first. You would hate to turn your plush burgundy office furniture blonde in one vigorous cleaning extravaganza.
For minor spots and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a blotting sponge or clean absorbent cloth. If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with clean lukewarm water, and let it air dry naturally. If you're using water, clean the entire area where the spot occurred.
Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water. This may cause more damage than the stain itself.
Do not use cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps, or ammonia water.
For butter, oil, or grease stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth, and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time.
If the stain persists, it is recommended that a professional leather specialist clean the leather to avoid any potential damage to the leather itself.
For minor or slight scratches on the surface, use a chamois or clean fingers to gently buff the scratch. If needed, moisten lightly with distilled water to work scratches out.
Remember that leather is a natural product and requires some care to maintain the natural beauty of the hide.
For cracks, tears, or punctures seek your local leather furniture restoration service to quickly fix the affected area and keep it from spreading to further damage.
Source: American Leather Furniture
Terry of Color Glo KC says "treat it like your own skin"
Interior Design & Leather Furniture
Many people can't wrap their head around how to design their space with leather. They begin to feel like their home may be too "woodsy" or too sterile. Understandably, you've probably been to homes or cabins where this is exactly the case. Those are byproducts of home themes, not good spatial advice.
If you feel like your loving that perfect leather furniture and you're now convinced that it's easy to take care of, but you just can't get your interior design thumb flexing, then hire a professional to help in your mission. We defer to a professional Interior Designer in Minneapolis.
Leather Interior Design in Minneapolis. CW Lofts by Tiffany Hanken Design.
How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
Many people send in requests or questions about how to clean their microfiber couch or sofa. Microfiber isn't for everyone just like leather isn't for everyone, but you'll have to make some sacrifices in order to keep your microfiber couch clean.
Many people send in requests or questions about how to clean their microfiber couch or sofa. Microfiber isn't for everyone just like leather isn't for everyone, but you'll have to make some sacrifices in order to keep your microfiber couch clean.
What is Microfiber?
First thing is first. Let's talk about what microfiber is and why cleaning microfiber furniture is such a pain in the tuckus. Microfiber has very thin strands that can be made to look like suede or leather. This makes it an attractive fabric for sofas and couches. Microfiber also is quite durable and repels water so it tends to be suited for furniture because your home can take a beating. Furniture manufacturers and salespeople however, would like you to believe that they are impervious to stains and an indestructible investment.
Its just not true... Microfiber couches look like suede, but the fabric is made of polyester and nylon fibers. These fibers are about 100 times thinner than a human hair, so cleaning this material can be difficult. You can leave watermarks in a hurry on your brand new microfiber couch, if you're not careful. However, cleaning with solvents or laundering cushion covers gets the dirt out without the unsightly spots.
And if Frankie the dog likes to wipe his face on your couch (we know he does), then you'll be faced with the below situation.
Before you begin
What type of microfiber couch do you have? Before cleaning your microfiber couch, make sure to read its care instruction tag. Microfiber manufacturers use codes to indicate how to clean the fabric.
- W means you must use water based cleaning solution.
- S means you must use a “solvent” based cleaner
- S-W means you can use S or W type cleaners
- X means you can vacuum only (so, no water or solvent based cleaning solutions).
Never use bleach, acetone, carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner on microfiber couches. If you are unsure about cleaning your couch yourself, schedule a consultation with a professional furniture-cleaning service.
And here's what you'll need.
- White cloth or sponge.
- Rubbing alcohol.
- Distilled water.
- Spray bottle.
- Hard bristle scrubbing brush.
- Soft bristle brush.
How to clean a microfiber couch
Your first step is to pour some rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spray it on the couch. Don’t be shy; spray on a liberal amount. Then, use your clean sponge or white cloth to start scrubbing.
The key here is to focus on one section at a time. It will make the job more palettable and you'll see the results of cleaning in sections. If you have visible stains (such as Frankie's drool), scrub hard until they disappear. You can always spray on more rubbing alcohol if needed. You should quickly see dirt lifting off onto your cleaning cloth or sponge.
The Aftermath.
Microfiber is finicky. Because of its fiber makeup, it will tend to harden after cleaning. This may cause streaks, runs or it may even be a bit "crisp". So what to do? The solution to that is to gently rub the hardened fabric with a soft scrub brush. You can use any type of brush really, as long as its not so abrasive that is damages your material. Pictured below is actually a horse brush! We're really looking to achieve the same result.
The special sauce...
Normally, most people would end here. There's an additional step however that proves to be useful for those who venture down the path of laboring over their own microfiber couches. Pour some distilled water into a spray bottle and spray it on the couch. It goes without saying that you need a NEW, CLEAN sponge or cloth in which to work into the couch until you can no longer see the water stains. The key here is distilled water - regular water will re-surface stains.
Allow it to dry, and then use the soft bristle brush again to loosen the fibers. Viola!
Image: www.lemonslavenderandlaundry.com
What is Acoustical Ceiling Restoration?
Painting your ceiling. This is a solution that many businesses, small to commercial, will entertain (or worse yet pursue) when looking to revitalize and refurbish their ceilings.
Acoustical Ceiling Restoration
"Restoration" refers to restoring something to its original condition. As a worldwide leader in ceiling restoration for businesses, we can speak confidently (first and foremost) to what ceiling restoration is not.
Painting your ceiling. This is a solution that many businesses, small to commercial, will entertain (or worse yet pursue) when looking to revitalize and refurbish their ceilings. Be very aware that this does not provide any benefit to the ceiling, to your employees or to your customers. Ceilings get dirty over time, specifically if they are in industrial or high traffic area. The solution is not to seal bacteria, grime and dirt into a petrified state above your heads.
Ceiling installation can be grossly expensive. The bulk of your cost will come with the suspension and T-bar system that supports your acoustical ceiling as well as the labor involved to custom fit it to your space. Ceilings can become dirty pretty quickly, so in our professional demeanor it begs us to ask the question; "why would you entirely ruin your ceiling with paint and DIY coatings?"
If ceiling tiles are dirty or even damaged from smoke and pollutants, there is no need to paint your ceiling and trap it all in. Dirt, discoloration and worse is just going to bleed right through your paint or coatings job, which by that time leaves no recourse to the painting company for correction. Save your company money and explore a healthier solution by restoring them with Coustic Glo International.
Bring Your Ceiling Back to Life
Once you make the choice to paint or coat your ceilings, you've likely just committed to a process that has a short-term solution to a very long-term problem. The Problem is this: the ceiling will continue to get dirty at the same rate that it did before. The paint or coating will generate its own layer of grime and dirt while the underlying layer of pollutants will begin to resurface. This leaves many businesses with a duly dark environment that is unhealthy and unproductive. Your option at this point will be only to paint it again, along with speaker grilles, diffusers, sprinklers, etc. These items are vital to your ceiling system and can be professionally cleaned to look like new. So explore the option of restoration before destroying your high-cost investment into your ceilings.
What is Acoustical Ceiling Restoration or refurbishing? Acoustical Ceiling Restoration is the process of restoring your acoustical ceilings to their original condition to look like new again. You'll experience an exclusive ceiling cleaning and restoration process which consists of ceiling cleaning products and equipment. A professionally done job will leave your acoustical ceiling tiles, ceiling grid T-Bar system, your sprinklers, speaker grilles and more looking and smelling like the day they were installed.
Refurbish. Don't Replace.
Save your company thousands. Restore Your Ceilings With The Original Refurbishment Professionals. Coustic Glo International is the World Leader in ceiling and wall restoration since 1975. Today in markets around the world, Coustic Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test. The process of restoring our ceilings is up to 80% cheaper than replacing them and it's an environmentally safe decision as well.
What are the benefits?
- Smoke & fire retardation.
- Acoustical rating enhancement (sound is re-absorbed).
- Brightens the workplace.
- Offers a safer, healthier breathing environment.
- Increases employee / customer morale.
- Far less expensive than replacement options.
What ceiling items can be cleaned?
- Acoustical Ceilings.
- Hard ceilings.
- Vinyl ceilings
- Tile ceilings
- Metal pan ceilings
- sheetrock ceilings
- Vinyl rock ceilings
- Walls (including brick, vinyl, hard surface and FRP).
- Stainless steel hoods and surfaces.
- Fluorescent light diffusers.
- Light deflectors.
- Chandeliers.
- Window Blinds.
- and more!
Are you in need of ceiling restoration?
If your business is in the midwest and you'd like to explore restoration, you can reach out to our Minnesota Dealership - Coustic Glo Midwest. Or you can contact them directly below.
DIY Make Your Own Cat Repellent Spray
Making your own cat repellent may just be the best thing you ever do if you love your little furry companions. Most importantly, if your cat has its claws then she'll need to satisfy the natural urge to "scratch". So you might have a wonderful peice of new furniture, a wall corner or bed post or some other thing in the house that is precious and expensive to you - but princess has other ideas about it...
Deter Your Cat
Making your own cat repellent may just be the best thing you ever do if you love your little furry companions. Most importantly, if your cat has its claws then she'll need to satisfy the natural urge to "scratch". So you might have a wonderful peice of new furniture, a wall corner or bed post or some other thing in the house that is precious and expensive to you - but princess has other ideas about it...
In some cases, it can go a step further. Some cats (if left to live the "mouser" lifestyle) will take over your flower beds and garden areas as their own personal litter box. They may go as far as digging up your pride and joy.
Cats are very loveable and that can certainly cause a lot of joy in your life. But they can also become destructive. If you're spending the build of your spare time trying to eliminate cat smell off your shed, garage, the corner of your house or even the corner of a room in the house, then its time to deter them.
Cats do not intentionally harm things, it is just their nature to leave their scent and mark territory. Its usually the males that do this. Dogs do the same thing by urinating on just about everything. There are plenty of nice ways to tell your cat to "Step OFF".
Cat Repellent Sprays
You may want to try these homemade cat repellents. Not every home remedy works for every cat. You may have to experiment a little bit, but offering natural, healthy ways to ward off your cat's instinctive behavior is much safer and longer term investment than abusive scolding or chemicals.
Cats can smell (or detect odor) at about 40 times the sensitivity that we humans can. Making a natural cat repellent will rely heavily on a cat’s keen sense of smell. If you find that one recipe is not working, try one of the others. Cats are individuals with different likes and dislikes, and what smells pungent to you may just be his cup of tea.
First, get yourself clean spray bottle to earmark for kitty discipline.
Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog
Recipe 1
Vinegar. Mix some vinegar with liquid hand soap and water in equal parts. Spray, wipe or pour over areas of concern depending on whether its indoors or outdoors.
Recipe 2
Garlic, pepper, and lemon mixed with water is another deterrent. Some people will add "hot" pepper to this solution but that may cause harm to your cat as "hot" solution are not cat friendly. If you decide to do this, add a very modest amount of "hot". A little bit can go a long way. Garlic needs to be crushed very well. Then let this concoction sit for at least 24 hours until its nice and ripe. Strain off the remaining solution and away you go with a powerful cat repellent. (Possibly humans to...)
Recipe 3
Rosemary. Plant this herb near where your cat(s) is causing problems and you should him take it to the street. Rosemary is a natural cat deterrent. You can also make a solution of Rosemary extract and water to put in your spray bottle.
Recipe 4
Grow herbs. To follow recipe 3, put in citronella, rue, rosemary or garlic and chives into an herb garden. These are attractive, and are natural cat repellents.
Natural, organic DIY cat repellent spray. Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog.
Recipe 5
A liquid herbal supplement can consist of lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and rosemary extract mixed with a bit of water. This is an excellent cat deterrent.
Recipe 6
Another liquid fusion can be made by mixing the juice from a green orange and strong coffee. This has proven to be a great cat deterrent. You can also chop or grind up citrus rinds, and use coffee grounds in the soil of your beds to discourage feline visitors from the neighborhood.
Recipe 7
Citronella oil is a homemade cat repellent that many people have had success with. Citronella is best known as a mosquito repellent, but cats find the Citronella odor to be distasteful. Simply mix one part Citronella oil to four parts water and spray liberally in the troubled areas.
** Disclaimer. Some herbs such as eucalyptus and citronella can be poisonous to cats. Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant. To keep your cats safe, use eucalyptus essential oil in a sealed container instead of fresh or dried plants if you have a fear of them eating the herbs.
Adding eucalyptus essential oil to your spray bottle as a cat repellent spray. Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog.
Recipe 8
Lastly, a recommendation from Mom4Real.com, suggest that the single best cat repellent is the following recipe.
Fill your spray bottle 3/4 the way up with water.
Add a few drops of clear dish liquid. It should be clear so that it does not color-stain your carpet or furniture. (This acts as a mixing agent for water and oils).
Add 10 drops each of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Lemon Essential Oil to the spray bottle. Replace the lid and shake well.
Its simple, natural and easy to make. Your cats likely won't be bothered by this at all and neither will you. If your experiencing a problem with flies in your house or even ants, this essential oil cocktail may solve that problem to. Go green before looking to chemical or harsh behavioral correction. Your furry friends will love your for it.
Photo: Mom 4 Real Blog.
Pet Stain Clean Up
Lastly, if you have an affected area of your home that has withstood damage due to your pets, you have two options. Contact your local Color Glo franchise for fabric restoration. For extensive clean up of floors, carpets, area rugs and more, call a company like National Dusters whom specialize in Pet Stain Clean Up.
Photo: National Dusters Cleaning Company
How To Care For Leather Furniture
Leather furniture can be a large investment. Knowing how to maintain it is important in order to keep it in good condition for many years. Here are some DO & DON'T Tips for helping your leather furniture age like fine wine.
Leather Furniture Care Tips
Leather furniture can be a large investment. Knowing how to maintain it is important in order to keep it in good condition for many years. Here are some DO & DON'T Tips for helping your leather furniture age like fine wine.
Image courtesy of homeridae.com
Leather Furniture Care Tip 1
Avoid household cleaners like oil soap to clean your leather couch or chairs. Though they seem harmless and like a good idea, they almost stain and darken the leather. Another mistake many people make is mild soap, like dishwashing soap or other counter top soaps. WE KNOW, they great on your hands and everything feels nice but it can actually remove the color on your leather furniture.
And saddle soap... it's great for your son's catcher's mitt, but will wreak damage on your expensive, top-grain love seat.
Leather Furniture Care Tip 2
Soap and detergent. NO. As mentioned above, we can use mild soap on our skin because our skin is still hydrated and alive. Your skin can replace its own oils and do its own maintenance. Leather furniture will quickly become brittle and dry when using these products. Applying oil afterwards will only stain the leather and double the damage.
Leather Furniture Care Tip 3
Sunlight is also not your friend when it comes to leather furniture. As you know, sunlight can cause wear and tear on everything that you let sit in it for extended periods, whether that be months or years. If you feel as though you are too cold or too hot inside of a room, the so is your leather furniture.
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- Avoid placing good leather products next to radiators or air conditioners.
Leather Furniture Care Tip 4
Spills are the devil. If spills happen on your fine leather furniture, you'll want to blot them immediately using a clean terry cloth towel. If you don't have a terry cloth towel, then paper towels will work too.
Sometimes we like to eat on our furniture while watching the television or enjoying company. If you spill grease or oil on your leather furniture, use talcum powder or baking powder to help absorb it. You can also contact the manufacturer or your furniture or visit an upper-end furniture store that may carry a safe cleaner.
Leather Furniture Care Tip 5
How to treat brand new leather furniture. You can protect it right off the bat with a professionally applied protector. DIY enthusiasts may also want to tackle this themselves with an after-market product. There are plenty of after-market products out there.
Our recommendation is to have your leather furniture professionally treated. If your couch or chair is older, you absolutely want to have a leather furniture cleaning service clean the furniture and apply the leather protector. This will ensure that you'll get the most mileage out of your new restored leather furniture. Check out these great examples of restoring leather furniture.
Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees world-wide are specialists in color restoration and repair of leather furniture. Keep your investment for years to come. Revitalize your home and save money. Contact us today for more information.
Original article posted at HGTV
Top Reasons Restaurant Customers Prefer Booths Over Tables
Do you prefer booth or table? When hungry customers enter a restaurant, one of the first questions that the host or hostess will ask them is whether they prefer a table or a booth. If a booth is available, customers are more often to choose a both over a table.
Do you prefer booth or table?
When hungry customers enter a restaurant, one of the first questions that the host or hostess will ask them is whether they prefer a table or a booth. If a booth is available, customers are more often to choose a both over a table. Many people will wait for one to become available if they are all occupied, even though they could sit immediately at a table. Those customers that prefer to sit at booths have their reasons and these reasons may vary from customer to customer.
Understanding the thinking behind why restaurant customers love to sit in booths is an important aspect of furnishing a restaurant. Although booths are often more expensive than tables and seats of similar quality are, they are often necessary to satisfy as many customers as possible. Furthermore, by understanding the reasons why restaurant customers love booths and by being familiar with different features of restaurant booths, restaurateurs can select the booths that are most likely to please their customers.
Why Do Many Restaurant Customers Prefer Booths?
Restaurants in general should have a mix of seating available for its customers. Some people will prefer booths and others will prefer tables, couches or whatever interesting mix of seating they have decided to put together. The ability to satisfy a diverse crowd of regular customers often depends on this mix.
When it comes to purchasing booths, it helps to understand the reasons why some customers prefer booths to tables with chairs. Knowing how customers think and their taste preferences is critical to the success of any business. Analyzing some data or surveying customers may help a restaurant realize why some people would rather sit in booths vs. a table, and helps restaurateurs to satisfy their customers by furnishing the right kinds of booths.
1. Privacy
Whether eating at a tablecloth establishment or at a local hole in the wall, many diners enjoy having a measure of privacy while they eat. A booth that is situated against a wall helps to provide this privacy by blocking off one side of the table and benches. A booth with high-back benches provides extra privacy, keeping most other diners at an establishment from seeing the party seated in the booth. The high backs also help to block sound, keeping conversations confined to the booth and blocking the sounds of other diners conversing and using utensils from entering the booth. Furthermore, the added privacy of a booth makes a more secure spot for keeping purses and jackets.
2. Comfort
Booth benches can provide greater comfort for diners than chairs can. Many booth benches have soft, padded seats and backs, whereas chairs are made from either wood or metal that offer less padding. Benches tend to be sturdier than chair seats and backs are, giving diners additional support. This support helps them not to feel their own weight as they eat, resulting in less physical fatigue. Another comfort advantage that booths possess is that each diner has a larger seating area, with a bench providing uninterrupted seating space across its breadth. Diners seated in chairs are limited to the seating space that the chair itself provides.
3. Less Traffic
One of the greatest appeals of a restaurant booth is the limited traffic around the booth. Since many booths are placed against a wall one side and other booths on two more sides, waitstaff and patrons only pass one side of the booth. Traffic tends to move around all four sides of a table with chairs, unless they too are situated against a wall. While they eat, patrons seated at tables with chairs may find themselves dealing with coats or purses of passerby brushing against them or even catching a hip or an elbow. The constant rush of waitstaff can also be an annoyance to customers while they dine. Patrons seated at booths are largely protected from such disturbances, making for a more pleasant dining experience.
4. Coziness
In general, booths tend to offer a cozier feel than tables and chairs do. The open space around chairs makes many restaurantgoers feel exposed, whereas booth benches with high backs offer shelter from restaurant commotion that can distract diners. A group of patrons that is seated in a booth may feel as though they have their own separate space within a restaurant, making for more intimate dining. Booth seating also tends to place patrons closer together, adding another layer of intimacy.
5. More Room
A booth can provide more room for diners to spread out, especially if their party does not fill the booth. Many working professionals that frequent lunchtime places often bring their work with them. These patrons may prefer to be able to lay their coats and bags on a booth bench and spread their papers and electronic devices along the table while still having enough space to eat. The extra space of a booth can also help the members of any dining party relax while they eat, whereas chairs can make them feel cramped, even if there is still space at the table.
Great Booth Features
Once restaurateurs understand the reasons why many patrons prefer booths, they can choose booths with the necessary features to satisfy their customers. Booths have various construction features, booth shapes, and designs. Being familiar with the available options for these features helps restaurateurs choose the booths that are most appropriate to their dining establishments and that are most suitable to their customers.
Construction
Bench height should be at least 36 inches, which brings the bench up to about the shoulder blades for most people, providing enough support for the lower back; The higher the bench, the more private the booth feels
Bench Length. Two-seater bench should be at least 45 inches long, though two people can sit more comfortably on a bench that is 48 inches long. You need to balance the comfort of patrons with the available space in the restaurant
The seat. A bench seat may have springs in it, may be padded, or may just be solid wood or metal. Springs tend to provide support over a longer period than pads do; People also find the extra foam around the springs to be comfortable. Bare metal and wood benches tend to be less expensive
Upholstery. Benches with springs or padding is also upholstered. Vinyl tends to be the upholstery material of choice since it is comfortable and easy to clean. Naugahyde is one of the highest-quality vinyls available for use in a booth. These products can be restored through Vinyl restoration, saving a restaurant a lot of money over time.
Kick Base. The bottom part of the booth, though not all booths feature one. It provides additional support for the bench and helps patrons maintain good seating posture by giving them a place into which they can dig their heels.
Restaurateurs must balance the booth features that they want to make available to their customers with the price of providing these features. Benches with springs and naugahyde upholstery usually cost more than plain wooden benches do, and the extra cost may not be worth it for some dining establishments.
Shape
Booth seating comes in a variety of shapes. Many booths have straight benches, using a wall to create enclosed seating on three sides. These may be single booths, with one bench, or double booths, with a single back that has benches on both sides of it.
One of the best ways to make use of corners in restaurants is by placing round booths there. These feature semicircular benches, adding extra seating to a corner. These booths also enable all of the patrons seated in them to see one another clearly. This can provide larger dining parties with a more intimate feel and a stronger bonding experience.
Design
Booths may have design features that lend the booths aesthetic qualities. Vinyl-upholstered benches may have a certain number of channels along the bench backs. These are panels divided by stitching and a bench back may have three channels, or eight or more. The vinyl can also be one of many colors or feature multiple colors. Wooden booths may have carved details or they may be stained certain tones. These design features may not affect patrons' comfort, but they are important to the dining establishment's decor.
Conclusion
Many restaurant customers prefer to sit in booths instead of in chairs around a table. They love booths because they offer better privacy, more comfort, more protection from traffic, more coziness, and more room than chairs do. For these reasons, many customers are willing to wait for booths in a restaurant to become available, even foregoing open tables with chairs. In some cases, patrons go elsewhere to dine if a booth is not available. It is therefore important for many dining establishments to provide at least a few booths. It is also important that these booths have the kind of features that help satisfy the reasons why many customers love to sit in booths. There are numerous sources from which to buy restaurant booths, including eBay. The buying process can be challenging and often unsuccessful when customers are not sure for what they should be looking. By understanding both their customers love of booths and the booth features that provide all of the aspects of sitting in a booth that customers expect, restaurateurs can successfully shop for the booths that their dining establishments need.
Restoration of booths. Color Glo international and Color Glo franchisees offer vinyl booth, chair and other industrial furniture restoration. This service can be crucial in the financial end-game inside of a restaurant business. Contact us today for more information.
Header image courtesy of i5Design.
Top 100 Franchise Opportunities 2016
Color Glo International has once again been awarded a position on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchise opportunities. Read the Press Release below to learn more about Franchise Gator.
Franchise Gator just released their Top 100 Franchises for 2016 and Color Glo is listed among them!
Color Glo International has once again been awarded a position on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchise opportunities. Read the Press Release below to learn more about Franchise Gator.
Press Release
August 19, 2016, Minneapolis, At the core of it, franchising is about risk reduction. You join a franchise because it provides a heightened chance of success as a business owner. The Top 100 has been designed, with the assistance of The Educated Franchisee, to measure the quality of a franchise system over time. Rankings are mostly based on a formula created from various pieces of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that focus on financial stability, growth, transparency, engagement, continuity and sustainability. Hundreds of FDD's were studied this past year in an effort to bring you this ranking.
We also focused on evaluating franchise opportunities that fit the mold of what a typical Franchise Gator visitor seeks. That means taking investment range and industry into account to create what we feel is truly a unique rankings list. So if you are looking for some of the more high ticket, recognizable names in franchising and don't see them, that by no means is a discredit to that franchise system. It simply means they were not part of our evaluation process.
Franchise Gator would like to thank the following people who's insight was invaluable and instrumental in the production of Franchise Gator's Top 100:
- Rick Bisio - The Educated Franchisee
- Eric Stites and Associates - Franchise Business Review
- Thomas Scott - Brand Journalists
To view the Top 100 Franchise Gator Franchises for 2016 click HERE
To learn more about Color Glo international click HERE
About Color Glo International
Color Glo International is the World Leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of Automotive, Aircraft, Marine and Furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today in hundreds of markets throughout world. Color Glo products are proven everyday to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.
We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries world wide.
Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane or boat in use today.
Questions about owning a Color Glo Franchise?
Color Glo International, “More Than a Business, We Are a Big Family”
Ruben Moodley has expanded 17 Color Glo International franchisees in South Africa, and will soon be participating in our 15th seminar come October 2016 in Minneapolis, MN. Read more about Ruben's amazing Color Glo story.
The Automotive Business
By: Ruben Moodley, Durban, South Africa
My Early Days with Color Glo
The automotive business, in fact anything to do with cars, has always been of interest to me. My first job at the age of 20 was as a BMW car sales person. I received training on how to sell this market leading brand that groomed my sales ability to a level that has served beneficial to my current business growth.
After being with BMW for just two years, I found myself being drawn to the technical aspect of vehicles, in particular the exterior paintwork. I joined a leading distributor for Glazurit Automotive Paints and received an advanced level of technical training that enabled me to offer expertise to the automotive paint refinish industry. I was instrumental in setting up and training new body shops in SA. I later joined SONAX Car Care, another leading German brand that provided me with the expertise on how to provide services, as well as technical expertise to resolve auto paint defects at OEM and after market levels.
My very first and major accomplishment was when I was invited by Volkswagen of SA, to head up a paint rectification process at their manufacturing plant. I serviced them for three years and as a result of my track record, I was also requested to provide services to VW in Germany and Mexico. I also provided services to Opel, Mercedes Benz and BMW as a technical consultant.
I conducted this consultancy service whilst having established the largest detailing business based in Durban.
First Contact With Color Glo.
As my contract came to an end at VW, I came across an advert for Color Glo services. I was blown away by what they had to offer with regards to color restoration and decided to look into this as an add-on to my current detailing business. I immediately secured the rights for a Color Glo franchise for the Durban area.
Ruben facilitating a Color Glo product training.
The Color Glo Journey Begins
Within six months of trading Color Glo, the business turnover started to overwhelm my current detailing business. I then decided to secure additional areas and it was not long thereafter, in fact within nine months that I was appointed as the Area Development Licensor / Master Franchisor for Color Glo in South Africa and since then it has been the greatest journey ever undertaken in my business career.
Impressed, Very Impressed - Having several years of prior experience in the automotive industry, I was blown away with the state of the art technology that CGI – Color Glo International provided. Whilst developing the South African market, I spent a lot of time working with the various Color Glo products. I was particularly impressed with the “Go Green” aspect, in that whilst using water based, environmentally friendly products, the restoration service helped to prevent the unnecessary disposal of certain materials that are not biodegradable. Items such as plastic dashes and consoles used in cars are easily restored. We are especially proud as being the only ISO 9001 certified franchise business in our industry. Being a distinguished member of the International Franchise Association gives both our clients and business partner’s total piece of mind.
Support from Corporate Color Glo – the Smith family of Minneapolis, currently a second going on to a third generation family owned business are passionate in what they do. Their values / ethics / morals is well respected by our entire franchise network and they continue to offer the best and most professional support in a totally un-compromised manner. Four decades of successful business ethics has made our brand a world market leader, as continuously recognized by various leading franchise associations, magazines and media. I am truly grateful for their role in guiding me to my new level of business success.
Ruben doing a shoe repair demonstration
Always inspired - with my willingness to share my passion, knowledge & technical skills, CGI appointed me as an international trainer in 2004. I have since trained several new franchisees in SA & following a certification by CGI, our training facility was the first outside of the USA to conduct international training. Over the past ten years we have had Australia, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Namibia, Nigeria & Netherlands over to SA for training. I have also conducted training at the various international seminars in the USA. I am very passionate about growing the brand & enjoy empowering people with skills to further enhance their careers.
Shoes, Bags and luxury products are just one of Color Glo's wheel-houses.
Our growth - Color Glo has grown in South Africa. We currently have 17 franchisees & will soon be participating in our 15th seminar come October 2016 in Minneapolis, MN. During past seminars, Scott Smith, International Vice President was in attendance and we presented him with an appreciation award for his support & friendship. Scott and the team at CGI corporate have always given us superb service, support, but most importantly the trust that they have opened to both Racheal (my wife / business partner) & I have been respected in an overwhelming manner. This further drives me to go beyond for them, and the brand collectively.
My highlights - with Color Glo these past twelve years apart from the several awards that we have received, was in 2007 when I was presented with the CGI Global Partner Award, but the cherry on the top was the Everett C. Smith Award received last year at the International Seminar, this being the very first time that this award left the USA to an ADL since its inception. I am delighted to share this with the various recipients that have been honored previously.
Color Glo is a way of life for us and we remain passionate to grow the brand, whilst always being committed to lend support to others. Wishing you all a successful future with Your Color Glo Franchise, it has certainly been a great 15 years for us in South Africa.
Thank you to CGI for the opportunity and for your ongoing support. Your values are greatly appreciated.
--Ruben Moodley
Featured Franchisee: Doris Spall
"Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!" -Nicole Sossaman
Doris Spall: Featured Franchisee Colorado.
“Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!” Doris is an excellent vendor. She is always here when she’s needed and she does a great job. She’s been with us for many years and hopefully many more. We couldn’t be happier with her work!”
Meet Doris Spall
Visit her Facebook page to see more Before & After photos!
Color Glo International, Doris Spall
Or visit our website to contact Doris for a FREE quote!
www.colorglo.com
Featured Color Glo Franchisee: Rod Miller
We scheduled a time that was convenient for me and I spent what I thought was a real bargain to make the problem go away. All around very economical solution and pain free process.
Rod Miller; featured franchisee. Eastern Iowa
Visit his website today to see more Before and After photos, testimonies and more! www.colorgloeasterniowa.com
Or visit his Facebook page: Color Glo of Eastern Iowa
"My Honda Odyssey was in several mechanic shops over a short period of time. A piece of the leather was sliced open by one of the mechanics tools. I hired Rod with Color Glo to repair the damage. The estimate process was quick and easy (all done electronically). We scheduled a time that was convenient for me and I spent what I thought was a real bargain to make the problem go away. All around very economical solution and pain free process."
--Andrea N.
Featured Color Glo Franchisee: Kenny O'Neal
"Kenny O'Neal did an excellent job on my 2014 special edition Camaro. I had 2 serious dings in my dash and passenger seat, and other fading and discoloration. He is an Artist, loves his work, and is a perfectionist.
Kenny O'Neal; featured franchisee. Nashville.
Visit his website today to see how he can make your investments like-new again!
www.colorglonashville.com.
Or take a look through all his Before & After photos on his Facebook page Color Glo Nashville
"Kenny O'Neal did an excellent job on my 2014 special edition Camaro. I had 2 serious dings in my dash and passenger seat, and other fading and discoloration. He is an Artist, loves his work, and is a perfectionist. Seats and dash looks like new. He also restores interiors of collectible cars. Starting with his own collection. If you want it done right call Kenny. I recommend him highly!"
-Robert Wilson
