What Restaurant Owners Should Know Before Ordering Custom Metal Furniture

Learn what restaurant owners should consider before ordering custom metal furniture, from durability and design to cost, maintenance, and long term performance.

Thinking about ordering custom metal furniture for your restaurant?

Smart move.

Metal furniture is the default for crowded restaurants for a reason. If you place a custom order you can create a space that fits your brand while obtaining furniture that can last 10-15+ years.

But here's the thing...

Without knowing what to look for, it's easy to end up with components that rust, wobble, or look worn out after one season. Before you place that order, here are a few things every owner should know.

What you'll discover:

1. Why Custom Metal Furniture Is Worth It

2. The Biggest Mistakes Restaurant Owners Make

3. Key Questions To Ask Before You Order

4. How To Make Your Metal Furniture Last

Why Custom Metal Furniture Is Worth It

Custom metal furniture is one of the smartest investments you can make for your restaurant. It's durable, it's attractive and it lets you control your space completely.

Restaurant competition is heating up year after year. In fact, restaurant and foodservice sales reached over $1.5 trillion in 2023, with new openings happening every week. To rise above the noise, your space must exude a one-of-a-kind vibe.

Off-the-shelf furniture simply won't do. This is why many owners prefer custom furniture that has the right finish. Finish not only safeguards the metal against corrosion and rust but also imparts a unique appearance to your furniture.

In need of rust removal services in Arkansas? If you want a good quality finish, most of the best shops that provide powder coating in Benton can strip old rust and bring metal back to like-new condition. So, you don't always have to start from scratch when older pieces start looking shabby.

Here's the biggest benefit:

Custom metal furniture endures. Industry statistics reveal that a well-made metal table can last ten to fifteen years, or even more with a little care. In comparison, disposable chairs often need to be replaced every 2-3 years.

You save money in the long run.

The Biggest Mistakes Restaurant Owners Make

Owners make mistakes all the time, let's talk about some of them. These things waste time and money and a lot of headaches.

Ordering Based on Price Alone

This is mistake #1. Many owners get all excited over a low price and forget to ask what gauge of steel is used, type of finish, welding quality, and warranty protection.

Buy a cheap chair, and you save $50 today. But if it wobbles or rusts in six months, you lose a lot more than that.

Skipping the Finish Conversation

Raw metal is beautiful but it rusts. Fast.

If your builder doesn't ask you about powder coating, e-coating or another protective finish... RUN. Powder coating is the industry gold standard. It's moisture resistant, chip resistant, UV resistant and cleaning chemical resistant.

Without it, you will be calling for rust removal services within a year.

Not Thinking About Daily Use

Someone will sit on your metal bar stools thousands of times. People will bump your tables. Customers will wipe, load and unload dishes on them. Commercial-grade industrial pieces are designed for 1,000+ daily uses. Residential-grade fakes are not.

Key Questions To Ask Before You Order

Ask These Questions of Custom Metal Furniture Builders Before Paying a Deposit.

What gauge steel are you using?

Gauge is important. The smaller the number, the thicker the metal. Commercial restaurant furniture should be 16-gauge steel for chair frames, thicker for tables. Lighter gauge will bend and warp over time.

Ask for the spec sheet. If they can't give you one... walk away.

What type of finish do you offer?

There are a few main options:

1. Powder coating -- Most durable, widely used in commercial settings

2. E-coating -- Great for outdoor pieces and humid spots

3. Paint -- Cheapest but chips easily

Powder coating is the finish you want for most applications. It's hard and durable, able to withstand years of use.

How are the joints welded?

Welded joints have much more strength than bolted joints. In a high-volume restaurant environment bolted joints will back off. Welded frames will not back off for the life of the unit.

For chairs and barstools, look for welded footrests and continuous welds at stress points.

What's your warranty?

A reputable custom metal shop will back their work. Most commercial furniture warranties are 3-10 years. If your builder won't give you a written warranty... find someone else.

How To Make Your Metal Furniture Last

You ordered the right parts. How do you get the most life out of them?

Clean Spills Right Away

Acidic spills (lemon juice, vinegar, wine) can etch finishes over time. Clean them up immediately upon noticing. Use mild soap and warm water rather than harsh chemicals.

Inspect Joints Every 6 Months

Welded furniture also requires periodic inspections. Look for loose screws, finish cracks, early rust spots and shaky legs. Spotting minor problems early will keep them from becoming major problems.

Don't Drag. Lift.

Dragging metal furniture on tile flooring wears the feet and scratches floors. Train your staff to lift and place, never drag. Takes only 2 seconds more and adds years to the furniture's life.

Know When To Refinish

If your furniture is looking a bit used but the frames are still sturdy... don't toss it. A good shop can strip the old finish, do any rust removal and recoat the piece.

You get furniture that looks brand new for a fraction of the replacement cost.

Final Takeaways

Ordering custom metal furniture is one of the smartest decisions a restaurant owner can make. It lasts longer, looks better, and gives your space a feel that customers remember.

To quickly recap:

• Don't shop on price alone -- look at gauge, finish, and welds

• Always ask for a quality finish like powder coating

• Get everything in writing, including the warranty

• Refinish before you replace

With 70% of operators facing challenges filling positions and margins tight across the board, every dollar counts. Well-made custom metal furniture requires less replacement and creates a space that makes customers keep coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does custom metal restaurant furniture last?

With proper care and a high-quality finish, custom metal furniture can last 10-15 years or longer. Tables usually outlast chairs as they have less moving parts.

Is powder coating worth the extra cost?

Yes. Powder coating is one of the most durable finishes on the market for metal furniture. It resists rust, chips, UV damage, and cleaning chemicals. The small up-front cost saves a ton of money down the road.

Can old metal furniture be restored?

Yes, old or rusted metal furniture can be stripped, treated and recoated to look like new. A reputable shop will offer rust removal as well as refinishing, at a cost far less than replacing with new.