When it comes to the hospitality industry, it is often really hard to tell what are the magical ingredients. There are so many different things that we think made the difference for a particular restaurant, bar, or hotel. Hospitality is simply unpredictable. Nevertheless, there are certain things that apply to most businesses in this industry. One such thing is the positive effects aprons have on hospitality businesses that serve food and beverages.

While there are many different types of aprons, when it comes to hospitality bib and half aprons are the most common ones. Half aprons are tied at the waist, where they start and extend to the mid-thigh or lower. Bib aprons are full aprons, meaning they also cover the chest. They generally tie behind the neck and at the waist, or they may loop behind the neck. They can finish at the mid-thigh or they can be longer.

Bib Aprons for Food Servers

If you are in the hospitality industry, and especially if your business is a restaurant or another food-related business, you may be wondering whether it is necessary to buy bib aprons for your waiting staff. While food servers can technically do their jobs without an apron, they come with a lot of benefits, both for the employee and for the business.

Waiters may wear a bib apron as a part of an entire uniform or over their own clothes, in which case, the apron itself can be considered to be the uniform. This, of course, depends on the type of business. Aprons in particular and uniforms, in general, are a great idea. Both the employees and business itself can benefit from wearing uniforms in many ways, regardless of the industry, but when it comes to hospitality businesses, it is almost expected and it can even be considered to be crucial.

How to Choose Them

It is crucial that aprons are not only made of quality materials but are also well-crafted. You don’t want to invest in aprons that will be ruined after a couple of uses. Unlike butcher aprons, which need to be more heavy-duty, for food servers, you can get high-quality cotton bib aprons. They should be comfortable to wear, but also, they should be highly convenient.

Don’t forget about the practical side of aprons – the pockets. Think about everything they will need to use their apron during their interaction with the customers, imagine all the things they may need, to do their job better, and make sure that there are enough pockets. It is always a good idea to talk to your employees when you are choosing uniforms for them. This way if you aren’t sure if an apron is practical and convenient or not, or how many pockets the employees need on their aprons, you can find out.

The Benefits of Aprons and Uniforms

Not unlike the interior of your bar or your restaurant, the uniform you choose will play an important role in the image of your business. A good-looking uniform, one that fits the employee well, that looks comfortable, clean, and stylish, can make your place look more professional, classy, luxurious, etc. And it can even stay in people’s minds and become a visual reminder of your business. Moreover, regardless of whether it’s only the aprons or it consists of an entire attire, the uniform will make your employees stand out of the crowd and be easily recognisable.

Uniforms also have an impact on the way the customers feel about your business. Even before they order, they see their waiter and receive the first impression. If the food servers are dressed in high-quality uniforms, they convey a message of professionalism, trustworthiness, style, etc. So, the bib aprons you get, are one of the things that will help your customers form an opinion about your business.

But uniforms, even if they only consist of an apron, can also make a huge difference for the employees. The most important benefit for them personally, is that in the long run, a uniform will help them save money. If your employees wear an apron over their own clothes, this may protect it from stains. And, if the apron is a part of an entire ensemble, their personal clothes will be even safer. Moreover, uniforms make many employees’ lives easier and save them time, because knowing what they have to wear at work, will help them get ready faster.

Let’s not forget about the main purpose of uniforms – to unify. When they wear uniforms, employees feel like a part of the team, which can be very helpful for some of them. However, regardless of the business, you are in, and the garments included in the uniform, it is really important that they look good, whether you have a high-end restaurant or a small cafe with one employee.

People feel more comfortable when they like how they look, but it is also important for their performance, their state of mind, ability to focus, confidence, etc. Aside from style, the other thing you need to think about is comfort. To be comfortable, like any clothes, uniforms need to fit well and be made of high-quality materials, that will feel nice and won’t irritate the wearer’s skin.