Pizza Today - December 2023 - 27

DoorDash or Uber Eats.
Today, a defined takeout space is
becoming a necessary ingredient in
restaurant design, particularly something
separate from the dining room
to minimize any conflict between
dine-in and takeout customers. In
many instances, carryout customers are
being funneled one way to have their
own convenient in-and-out experience;
if not an entirely distinct pickup
area, then a bar might act as a buffer
from the dining room.
" Considering the pickup area is virtually
standard in today's design, which
isn't something you would've said years
ago, " confirms Joshua Zinder, head of
Princeton, New Jersey-based Joshua
Zinder Architecture.
4 more emerging restaurant
design trends
While a defined takeout area might
be the day's dominant trend - and one
moving toward table stakes in today's
restaurant environment - it is far from
the only notable development. Four
additional trends continue capturing
momentum:
#1: Smaller footprints focused
on efficiency
With more consumption moving off
premise and many operators expecting
labor shortages to be a long-term
issue, there's a move toward smaller
footprints, more efficient design and
equipment capable of pulling double
duty. Space utilization and layout is
not the sexiest part of design, but it is
critical to a pizzeria's operations and,
quite often, its bottom line.
" Everyone is counting out every
square inch, " says Rick Conrath of
GTM Architects based in Bethesda,
Maryland.
#2: Bringing the outside in
More and more, Zinder is " dissolving "
the front of a restaurant, as operators
are eager to boost their exposure
and street presence. Whether rolling
up garage-style doors or opening
oversized windows, there's heightened
interest in unveiling the restaurant's
interior to the street or sidewalk to
stimulate interest, showcase accessibility
and create a more seamless feeling
between the restaurant and its
surroundings.
The desire for an inside-outside
connection also includes a rise in
biophilia. Increasingly, restaurants are
incorporating plants, green walls or
even images of greenery.
" During Covid-19, restaurants got
a bad rap as a potential setting for risk
or exposure and something speaking to
nature helps combat that, " Zinder says.
#3: Instagrammable touches
Instagram and food go hand in hand
and restaurants continue looking for
ways to generate attention in the social
media world. Pizzerias are leveraging
lighting and materials as well as
art, including sculpture, murals and
3D installations, to create compelling,
dramatic or whimsical design touches
inviting photos and social sharing.
In its new store prototype, Pizza
Inn created a " say cheese " accent wall.
Jumping off a sky-blue background
peppered with clouds, two half-eaten
pizza slices replicate an angel's wings
on the in-store mural. And at one of
//3877's projects, Nighthawk Brewery
& Pizza in Arlington, Virginia,
a multi-colored, tiled mosaic of two
hawks opposing one another creates a
striking visual.
" Design becomes a part of the story
to drive marketing and give guests a
unique perspective, " Shove-Brown
says.
#4: A twist on seating
Guests might visit a pizzeria for
various occasions - a date night, a
beer with buddies or a quick lunch. To
entice regular visits for distinct purposes,
restaurants are creating different
seating areas and departing from the
formulaic lines of booths and tables.
Instead, restaurants are mixing picnic
tables, couches, bar seating, pub-height
tables, booths and more to offer seating
diversity.
" This way, the guest experience isn't
the same every time they visit, " ShoveBrown
says. " They can have a different
experience and be inspired to come
back for a different occasion. "
Before You Design
Whether remodeling an existing eatery
or entering an entirely new space, savvy
pizzeria owners address these three
questions before diving into design:
What's my budget?
An eatery's available capital will surely
inform design choices. Leveraging the
experience of a seasoned restaurant
architect and contractor early in the
process will help minimize costly
errors and facilitate a more thoughtful,
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