Keeping restaurant furniture filled is one of the great challenges of running a successful business, where the number of 'covers' is only potential revenue, while the number of diners turns that potential into profit.
In turbulent economic times, discretionary spend such as dining out is often where people rein in their household budgets.
However, research from Mintel indicates that this might not be the case at present - or at least, not in the same way that it was in years gone by.
Instead of cutting out luxuries like meals out, Brits are currently looking to special offers and discounts to help bring such occasions within their budget.
Nearly a third (32%) look for online offers, while 29% still use good old-fashioned magazine coupons to save, and 38% of all discount users have put online and print coupons towards groceries or meals out during the past six months.
Mintel's senior consumer and lifestyles analyst Ina Mitskavets says: "People are working to stretch their money not only to help make ends meet, but also to put a little pleasure into their lives."
In the process, they are also putting a little pressure on restaurant furniture - making it as good a time as any to refresh any tired or wobbly chairs with sturdy, freshly upholstered replacements.