5 reasons you need an awning for your mobile catering shop in summer

We’re now right in the heat of summer (even if the weather itself can be a little fickle!)– so if you have a festival shop or mobile catering business, you may well be about to start attending your summer events, if you haven’t started already. Now, you won’t need us to tell you that preparation is key – but sometimes the benefits of having a commercial awning aren’t always obvious, which iswhy lots of festival shops and mobile businesses tend to go without. So the question for you is: how can a commercial awning help you get ahead of the competition?

Well, let’s find out!

Benefits of shade and sun protection

The most immediate and obvious benefit of an awning is the shade and sun protection it provides. Standing under the sun for long periods can be uncomfortable for both staff and customers, especially during the hot summer months. An awning counteracts that by offering a cool, shaded area that protects everyone from harmful UV rays.

Not only does that make your mobile catering shop a more pleasant place to work and visit, but it also demonstrates that you care about the well-being of your customers and employees. As an extra bonus, it can help prevent food items from spoiling under direct sunlight, ensuring that your offerings remain fresh and appetising throughout the day.

Increase in customer comfort

In a nutshell, an awning creates a more inviting and comfortable environment for your customers (partially by protecting them from the sun, as we covered above). After all, when people are looking for a place to eat or drink, they are more likely to choose a vendor that offers a shaded, comfortable area to enjoy their food. By providing shelter from the elements – whether that’s sun or rain – you’ll essentially make it easier for customers to linger longer, which boosts the chances that they’ll hang around longer to spend more money with you.

Comfortable customers are happy customers, and happy customers are more likely to return and recommend your business to others. Providing a shaded area can encourage families with children to stop by, as parents often seek out shaded spots to keep their little ones cool and safe. If you’ve got children yourself, you’ll identify with the logic!

Protection for your equipment

The intense summer sun can take a toll on your equipment (as can the occasional showers – and let’s be honest, if you’re based in the UK, you’ll have to contend with those too). Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause wear and tear on your cooking appliances, cash registers, and other essential tools.

An awning serves as a protective barrier, shielding your equipment from direct sunlight and reducing the risk of overheating or damage. That can help you ensure that your equipment remains in good working order for longer, ultimately saving you money on repairs and replacements. It also means that your equipment will function more reliably, reducing downtime and ensuring that you can continue to serve your customers efficiently during peak times.

Enhanced branding opportunities

The benefits of an awning go beyond the purely functional – it can also be a valuable branding tool. Customising your awning with your business logo, colours, and messaging can help to increase brand visibility and recognition. In fact, a well-designed awning can make your mobile catering shop stand out in a crowded marketplace, attracting the attention of potential customers from a distance. This enhanced visibility can be particularly beneficial during large events, where you might have a lot of competition competing for the attention of your customers.

Plus, it’s worth bearing in mind that an eye-catching awning can become a landmark for regular customers, making it easier for them to find you and return to you again and again.

Maximise your service area

And finally, an awning can significantly expand your service area, providing additional space for customers to gather and enjoy their food. This is especially useful during busy periods when your mobile catering shop might otherwise become overcrowded. By creating a shaded outdoor seating area, you can accommodate more customers comfortably, enhancing their overall experience and allowing you to serve more people efficiently.

This expansion of your service area can lead to increased sales and customer satisfaction. Additionally, it provides a more organised and professional appearance, as customers have a designated space to queue and dine, which can help manage crowds more effectively.

Those are just a couple of the most universal advantages – you might well discover even more specific ones for your business to enjoy alone! And if you’re looking for the best branded awnings for your own business, you’re in exactly the right place.

Along with motorsports and mobile tech, we have a long history of outfitting mobile trailers and festival shops here at the Awning Company, and we know exactly how to deliver flawless solutions for our customers across the UK. If you have any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01204 544 900, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!