Restaurant furniture will need to be suited to all mealtimes if it is to help foodservice establishments to make the most of the opportunities that arise in the years to come, despite a generally positive outlook for the foodservice sector as the economic turbulence begins to ease.
Foodservice consultancy Horizons says that, by 2016, total sector sales will be back to pre-recessionary levels last seen in 2007, although current growth is being offset by the impact of inflation.
Within the forecasted growth, however, catering establishments need to be prepared for a likely fall in evening-meal trade, as consumers are predicted to move more towards other mealtimes and modes of eating.
At present, 22% of the £33 billion spent on eating out annually goes on snacks, and that is expected to grow in the years to come, by 4.4% in 2013 alone.
Breakfast is also forecasted to rise by 4.4% in 2013, from its current market share of 9%, while modest growth is also anticipated in the lunch market, which currently accounts for 45% of all sales.
Peter Backman, managing director of Horizons, says some restaurant owners have already begun to adapt to the trend - so if you are being left behind, it's worth taking a fresh look at your restaurant furniture to make sure it can accommodate diners at any time of day.
"Many operators have responded to trading challenges by looking at new opportunities and serving food throughout the day," says Mr Backman. "The real winners have been snacking and the breakfast market; we think the two will grow considerably over the next few years."
Restaurants are predicted to see the greatest growth in food sales this year, with Horizons forecasting a 2.3% overall increase among such outlets.
Hotels are likely to see slightly smaller growth of 1.3%, with around 1% growth in the 'quick service' segment, while pubs are predicted to sell less food as a consequence of more pubs turning into restaurants over the course of the coming months.
All of these forecasts, however, could appear subdued when revenues are compared with 2012, when the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games boosted trade.