Chairs Built to Boost Dine-in Restaurant Customers

According to editors at Bon Appétit magazine, the bar is rising for restaurant seating.¹ Over the past five years, restaurant owners who are growing their dine-in numbers since the pandemic have increased their investments in more comfortable and attractive chairs to entice people away from delivery services. According to research studies, providing comfortable seating can help encourage customers to stay longer, order more, and leave positive reviews. ^2,3

On the other side, skimping on chairs is unwise for restaurateurs, as it can decrease repeat customers and damage the bottom line.²

Let’s face it — customers today have more options than ever for dining out. And getting people to dine in-person is harder for fast food and fast-casual restaurants. After all, these places are competing with delivery services. With a few taps on the phone, people can order their favorite food and have it delivered to their home or office within minutes.

The rising popularity of delivery services has increased competition among traditional dine-in establishments, but in-person dining is certainly thriving at some restaurants. The properties that succeed in gathering a steady pool of dine-in customers each day tend to be the restaurants that create a desirable atmosphere—and a big part of that atmosphere involves seating. A desirable, crave-worthy dining area with brag-worthy decor and comfortable chairs encourages more dine-in visits, more revenue per table, and higher tips for staff.

What business couldn’t use a leg up over the competition? This blog will help you know what to look for in restaurant dining chairs when remodeling, designing a new place, or sprucing up a patio area to increase customer dine-in visits.

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Top Benefits of Holsag Wooden Restaurant Chairs & Barstools

• Provide safety with an antimicrobial finish to inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and more
• Deliver comfort with sculpted wood seats or plush, 2.5 lb. foam cushions
• Built to withstand the rigors of commercial use with European Beech hardwood frames and mortise and tenon joints
• Clean easily with common cleansers and sanitizers
• Sturdily built to support 300 lbs.
• Guaranteed wood finish durability due to our 9-step finishing process
• 22 standard wood stain options (custom also available)
• Over 1,000 fabric options (C.O.M. also available)

Although all Holsag wooden chairs offer a lot of the same benefits, there are many distinctions among the different product families. We want to make sure you choose the right option for your restaurant. 

The charts below will help you compare our best armchairs, barstools, and side chairs for restaurants. 

Restaurant Chairs with Upholstered Seats & Backs

	Triumph Armchair	Novva Chair
Price Point
Comfort
Ability to Customize
Backrest	Curved, cushioned backrest hugs the back and shoulders for a cozy feel Generous gap between back & seat	Curved, fully upholstered backrest hugs the body Small arch-shaped gap for crumb cleanout between the backrest and seat
Seat	Plush, 2.5-lb. upholstered foam cushion Crested seat for added comfort	Overstuffed, crested seat for added comfort 2.5-lb. upholstered foam cushion

Triumph Armchair

Generously sized yet low profile, this easy-to-maneuver armchair is a favorite in upscale restaurants and pubs. The Triumph Armchair provides ample comfort for restaurant guests without taking up excessive space. Customizable with your choice of fabrics and finishes, it’s a confident seating choice for dining rooms, cafeterias, clubs, and bars.

Novva Side Chair

With a post-modern design, the Novva Chair creates a welcoming style in restaurant environments. This comfortably cozy chair is expertly crafted from sustainably sourced European Beechwood. It’s fully customizable and available in over 1,000 fabrics and 22 wood finishes (with C.O.M. and custom options also available). It features mortise and tenon joints and a 10-year warranty for commercial use.

The Novva is perfect for restaurants, fine dining, bars, and more.

All-Wood Chairs & Barstools

	Bulldog Family	Carole Family
Price Point
Comfort
Ability to Customize
Backrest	Curved wooden slats raised from the seat Generous gap between back & seat	Ladder back curves & hugs the body Generous gap between back & seat
Seat	Sculpted wood seat 2.5-lb. upholstered foam cushion	Sculpted wood seat 2.5-lb. upholstered foam cushion
Optional Features	In-line wheels Hooded ball casters Barstool kickplate Custom etching	In-line wheels Hooded ball casters Barstool kickplate
Model Options	Armchair Barstool Bench Side Chair	Barstool Side Chair

Bulldog Chairs & Barstools 

The Bulldog family features many style options, including armchairs, side chairs, and barstools in various heights. This product line is available with wooden seats sculpted for comfort or with an upholstered, 2.5-lb. foam cushion. 

Learn more about the Bulldog Family. 

The Carole Family

The Carole family’s arched design looks modern and polished. Its ladder back is curved to hug the body and provide support and comfort. 

Learn more about the Carole Family.

Wooden Restaurant Chairs with an Upholstered Seat

	Denver Family	York Family
Price Point
Comfort
Ability to Customize
Backrest	Body-hugging, supportive curved back Generous gap between back & seat	Curved wood with a handhold cut-out Generous gap between back & seat
Seat	Upholstered with plush 2.5-lb. foam cushion	Upholstered with plush 2.5-lb. foam cushion
Optional Features	In-line wheels Hooded ball casters Barstool kickplate Custom etching	In-line wheels Hooded ball casters Barstool kickplate
Model Options	Barstool Side Chair	Armchair Barstool Side Chair

The Denver Family

The body-hugging curved back of the Denver Family makes this a popular and comfortable choice that comes with either wood or upholstered seats.

Learn more about the Denver Family.

The York Family

The York Family sports a curved plywood back and padded seat for comfort and back support. The extra-thick rails provide durability, and the handhold cut-out makes the chair easy to move.

Learn more about the York Family.

Stackable Wooden Chairs

	Dallas Family	Carlo Family
Price Point
Comfort
Ability to Customize
Backrest	Body-hugging, supportive curved back Generous gap between back & seat	Curved wood with a handhold cut-out Generous gap between back & seat
Seat	Upholstery over 2.5 lb. foam cushion	Upholstered with plush 2.5-lb. foam cushion
Optional Features	In-line wheels Casters	N/A
Stack Capacity	4 chairs	6 chairs
Model Options	Armchair Barstool Side Chair	Armchair Side Chair

The Dallas Family

The Dallas family features five upscale hardwood chairs and barstools with comfortable, padded seats and backrests. Pieces are elegantly styled in a traditional style with a contemporary twist. Two stacking chairs are available: the Dallas Stacking Side Chair and the Dallas Stacking Armchair. Crafted from 100% sustainably sourced European hardwood, this collection is built to last and comes with a 10-year warranty.

The Carlo Chair

The stylish, modern Carlo Chair provides an unbeatable value with a robust design built to withstand constant use in high-traffic areas. Three models of this classic schoolhouse-style chair are available, all built from 100% sustainably sourced European Beechwood: the Custom Carlo Stacking Chair, the Carlo Stacking Chair, and the Custom Carlo Armchair. All models except the Armchair are stackable.

Ideal for restaurants, pubs, breakrooms, and other dining areas, the Carlo chair is a seating choice that will last for decades.

Learn more about the Carlo Family.

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Sources

1. Beggs, Alex, “Are restaurant chairs getting more comfortable?” Bon Appétit, May 2019. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/restaurant-chairs-comfort
2. Mahe, George, “Ask George: Is there a reason that so many restaurant chairs and barstools are so uncomfortable?” St. Louis Magazine, November 8, 2024. https://www.stlmag.com/dining/ask-george-is-there-a-reason-that-so-many-restaurant-chairs-/
3. Pijls, Ruth; Galetzka, Mirjam, Groen, Brenda H.; Pruyn, Ad T.H., “Comfortable seating: the influence of seating comfort and acoustic comfort on customers’ experience of hospitality in a self-service restaurant.” Applied Ergonomics, vol 81, November 2019. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687019301334

Products Featured in This Article

Novva Chair

Triumph Armchair

York Chair