In a world where social media and Yelp reviewers have the potential to make or break a business, ensuring that every aspect of a restaurant is tended to, from the bathroom to the dining room, is key. An often-overlooked detail that will guarantee positive guest experience is a steady table.
“It’s the one piece of equipment that unites the entire customer dining experience,” said Nils Hughes, the Executive VP of Sales for FLAT, a global, award-winning table stabilization company. “56% of people said that they would “reconsider” returning to a restaurant if their experience was ruined by a wobbly table, and 68% said that a wobbly table gives them a bad feeling about the overall operation, as it makes them question what’s going on behind the scenes,” Hughes continued.
With their new line of EQ Table Bases, FLAT is helping restaurants worldwide achieve success and stability, affordably, one table at a time.
FLAT Tech was founded in 2004, since then, the company has continued to develop its products, providing restaurants with variations of both self-stabilizing table bases and FLAT Equalizers (designed for stabilizing existing tables). They’ve seen success across country and the globe with several leading hotel and restaurant chains and they’re projecting even more growth, both nationally and internationally.
With their newest table base line, ‘FLAT EQ Table Bases,’ restaurateurs have new affordable and effective solutions to stabilize tables. “The bases are so simple to use and are a cost-effective option for instantly improving guest dining experiences and staff productivity” Hughes added. The EQ Table Base line is comprised of six high-quality cast iron, powder-coated table bases, that are available in dining, counter and bar heights. Bases are shipped with a set of ‘Kitchen Innovations Award’ winning FLAT Equalizers; the installation process is quick: screw in the feet and press down to activate and stabilize.
“If a waiter sees a problem with a wobbly table, they can walk over and press down on the table-top to lock it into position,” Hughes explained, highlighting the product’s simplicity: a crucial component, especially as restaurants get busier by the day post-COVID.
In fact, the EQ Table Bases line came out of COVID-19’s impact on restaurants. “Many customers told us that they needed to look at cost reductions and margins, and that’s where this development came from,” Hughes said.
FLAT Equalizers are covered by a two-year guarantee, but they’re expected to last five years and are easily swapped-out. Their outer shells are made with high-impact, corrosion resistant materials, they adjust under pressure and stabilize with an internal locking mechanism. Equalizers reset once the pressure is released using an internal spring and hydraulics, allowing customers to eat in peace without worry of a spilled drink or hot dish.
In addition to stabilizing tables, the Equalizers also allow for the all-too-often scenario of tables that are pushed together, to become perfectly aligned. Wheelchair accessible ADA table options are also available as part of the EQ Table Base line.
While the FLAT products surely improve the customer experience, Hughes argues that they simultaneously help restaurants save money. Not only do they save operators time adjusting tables, it’s also more hygienic. “You don’t need waiters crawling around on the floor adjusting tables,” said Hughes. Additionally, restaurants don’t need to worry about comping spilled drinks or meals or receiving dry cleaning bills for stained clothing: two preventable costs. “And if there’s spilled liquid on the floor and someone slips,” Hughes continued, “you have a severe legal case on your hand. This is all solved in one piece of technology.”
With FLAT’s new EQ line of bases, restaurant operations of all sizes can ensure a positive, wobble-free experience for all guests while saving money. To learn more about their products, contact one of FLAT Tech’s 15 representative groups across the US, or visit their website, Flat Tech.
