The Full Form of FOH is‍ Front Of House.

The front of the house, also called the FOH, refers to all actions and areas that a customer will be exposed to during their stay at a restaurant, such as the lobby and dining area. Your front of house space is the perfect place to use decor to set the theme of your restaurant. Employees who work in the front of the house should have excellent hygiene and adopt a professional, welcoming demeanor at all times.

These front of house locations are where all the interaction with your guests will occur. Keeping these areas clean and orderly should be a top priority. Any staff member who enters front of house locations should be on their best behavior because they are representing your establishment.

Entry

Your customers will form a first impression of your business as soon as they walk in the door. In order to make it a good one, the entryway should capture the theme and feel of your restaurant and create a natural flow leading to other areas. Don’t forget about the outdoor appearance as well! Keep the area outside your door clean and swept.

Waiting Area

During the busiest times of day, customers might crowd into your waiting area. If they are made to wait too long before being acknowledged or are forced outside because of limited space, it can create a negative experience.

In order to alleviate this, waiting areas should be as comfortable as possible. The addition of chairs and benches gives your guests a place to rest while they wait. Placing extra stacks of menus within reach helps to entertain them and also gives them a head start on their menu decisions. When your customers already know what they want to order before they sit down, it increases your turnover rate.

Hostess Station

The hostess station should be visible as soon as your guests enter the waiting area. It’s important to acknowledge and greet customers as soon as possible, and a host or hostess should be on duty at all times so that no one is made to wait. Make sure to place your hostess podium in a location with a good view of the waiting area and entry.

Restrooms

Most guests who eat out at restaurants will use the restroom at one point during their visit, especially if they have children, which is why it’s crucial not to overlook this small area. The state of your restrooms can have a big impact on guest experience. Modern fixtures and tile can improve the look of the room, but the most important factor is making sure the area is clean and well stocked. Assigning periodic restroom checks throughout the shift will ensure that the paper products and soap are stocked and that all messes are cleaned up quickly. A thorough cleaning can be performed at the end of the shift.

Bar

If your restaurant plans to serve alcohol, make sure your bar is as inviting as your main dining area. It should feel welcoming and serve as an alternative location for guests to enjoy their meals. Providing entertainment in the form of big screen TVs ensures that guests stay longer and order more drinks. Because guests can easily see the liquor bottles and cocktail mixes behind your bar, make sure to keep them clean and use liquor pourers to prevent fruit flies. The whole area behind the bar should be organized so you can serve guests quickly.

Dining Room

The dining room is the heart of front of house operations. It’s the area where your guests will spend most of their time and also where many front of house employees will work during their shifts. Dining rooms can be laid out and organized in a variety of ways to suit your restaurant’s concept, but there should be a natural flow from room to room. Servers should be able to maneuver freely, and customers should be able to access their seats with enough space to feel comfortable.

Outdoor Seating

Adding outdoor seating to your restaurant increases your capacity and dining revenue. Dining al fresco is especially popular in the summer months, when many guests look for restaurants with decks or patios. You can take advantage of this by making your outdoor dining area as welcoming as your dining room. Decorate with outdoor furniture and lighting and provide umbrellas or canopies so your guests are protected from the hot sun. Patio heaters can turn your outdoor dining area into a year-round space.