Wooden restaurant furniture is just one way in which restaurateurs can demonstrate their environmental commitment to their customers.
According to research conducted by Mintel in the US, many consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of eating out - and that's a trend that's likely to be reflected in UK consumer preferences, too.
This manifests itself in several different ways, including the biodegradability of the materials used in the dining environment.
According to the analysts, "Mintel's 'Dining Out: A 2013 Look Ahead - US - January 2013' reveals that 42% of consumers say they seek a foodservice establishment that supports the environment by recycling or using biodegradable containers or serving dishes."
Wooden restaurant furniture is an extension of this kind of commitment, as it is made of natural materials that can be grown ethically, and also has good recycling potential when it reaches the end of its usable lifespan.
Once you have eco-friendly furniture in place, you can extend that commitment to other items you use in your restaurant, such as your plates and cutlery - although demonstrating to your customers that these are ecologically aware could prove to be something of a challenge.
An initiative suggested by Mintel that could work for many establishments is Meatless Mondays, a chance for diners to eat out with a more extensive vegetarian menu, by removing for one day each week all of the menu items that contain meat.
This does not mean that you become a vegetarian restaurant for one night each week, but can also welcome what Mintel call 'flexitarians', who balance their consumption of meat with regular nights of eating meat-free recipes.
Doing so can be part of an environmental commitment, or of the individual's awareness of their own health and how to stay in shape for the long term.
Incorporate local social groups and good causes into your itinerary for a further potential boost to custom, as Mintel's US foodservice category manager Julia Gallo-Torres says 40% of consumers seek out establishments that support charitable causes - a further trend that is likely to be reflected in British sentiments too.