Types of Cafe Customers and How To Attract Them

Understanding your customers is key to running a successful cafe. While your menu and location matter, the atmosphere and layout of your space can directly influence who comes through your door and, more importantly, who keeps coming back. At BE Furniture Sales, we believe that the right furniture and layout can do more than just provide seating; they can define the entire experience.

Families

Families are a valuable part of the cafe’s customer base, especially during school holidays and weekends. Parents often look for a relaxed space where their children can enjoy a treat and take a moment to breathe. To welcome them, comfort and practicality are essential. High chairs should be readily available and easy to clean. Offering lower tables with soft seating options, such as tub chairs or small sofas, can make feeding toddlers much easier.

Adding a small play area or a box of toys and books helps parents relax, knowing their children are entertained. Even simple gestures, like offering to warm a bottle or reheat a toddler’s food, can make a lasting impression. Menu flexibility matters too. Smaller portions, half-sized hot chocolates, and healthy snacks are all appreciated by families seeking a balance of indulgence and nutrition.

Remote Workers and Freelancers

The shift towards flexible working has reshaped daytime footfall in cafes. For many remote workers, your space becomes a temporary office. To attract and retain them, comfort and functionality are non-negotiable. Reliable Wi-Fi and easy access to plug sockets are the starting point, but table size and seating comfort carry just as much weight.

Hard wooden chairs or cramped tables will see laptops shut down early. Instead, consider supportive chairs with backrests and tables that are deep enough to accommodate both a laptop and a cup of coffee. Offering healthier lunch options, quality coffee and a calm, welcoming atmosphere will encourage remote workers to stay longer and spend more. You might even consider quieter background music and varied seating zones, one for focus and another for informal chats or short breaks.

The Daily Regulars

Some customers will return daily, sometimes more than once. These regulars value consistency, speed and recognition. Whether it’s commuters grabbing a flat white on their way to the train or someone popping in every morning for a pastry and a paper, making them feel noticed helps build loyalty.

Learning their usual order, greeting them by name or simply asking how their day is going can turn a standard transaction into a relationship. Consider a loyalty card or coffee stamp scheme to reward their commitment. Ensuring their seating preference is available, or holding their takeaway mug behind the counter, are subtle touches that foster customer loyalty.

Tourists and Passers-By

Footfall from passing trade is a vital stream of revenue, particularly in town centres and tourist spots. These customers decide within seconds whether to enter. First impressions matter. Clean windows, appealing signage and inviting outdoor seating can be the difference between someone walking past or stepping inside.

Feature boards showcasing daily specials or your best bakes can draw attention, especially if placed outside. Keep your outdoor furniture clean, sturdy and well-maintained. If the weather allows, parasols or planters can enhance the setting. Indoors, offer a variety of seating options to suit solo visitors or larger groups. Tourists may also look for local touches, regional baked goods, British teas, or interiors that reflect the local area.

The Social Sharers

A growing segment of cafe customers is influenced by design and experience as much as the food itself. They are looking for places to photograph and share. Think carefully about visual cues. Statement furniture, tiled tabletops, plants, murals or vintage details can all become part of the brand image customers share online.

Creating a feature corner with a neon sign or a standout wall can encourage photos and act as free advertising on social platforms. Comfortable bar stools or a mix of retro and contemporary furniture help give the space character. Offer a few signature drinks or eye-catching menu items designed for Instagram appeal, such as a colourful smoothie or intricately decorated cake.

Creating the Right Environment for Everyone

Not all customers fit neatly into categories. Your space needs to be flexible enough to cater for a variety of people throughout the day. Use furniture to create different zones, soft seating near windows for casual chats, upright chairs and larger tables in the centre for those working or eating, and quieter corners for longer stays.

Sound levels, lighting and comfort all influence how long people stay and how likely they are to return. Consider acoustic panels if the noise level is too high, and vary your lighting with warm tones to soften the space during quieter hours. Cleanliness is crucial, as is the upkeep of furniture. Tables should not wobble, and chairs should feel sturdy and pleasant to sit in.

Investing in Atmosphere and Experience

Attracting and retaining customers is about more than price or menu. It’s about creating a space where people feel welcome, comfortable and seen. The right furniture can signal everything from your values to your intended customer base. Whether it’s the durability of stackable chairs for outdoor areas or the elegance of velvet tub seating for a quieter corner, BE Furniture Sales can help you select options that balance practicality with personality.

Explore our range of cafe furniture, available with fast delivery across the UK. Let us help you create the kind of space that not only attracts customers but also keeps them coming back.