A restaurant isn’t complete without the right aprons for kitchen staff and front-of-house employees. Aprons protect other uniform apparel from stains; offer utility, such as extra pockets for a notepad; and promote professionalism in your restaurant. Picking out this essential restaurant item warrants a little research. To help, we’ve compiled our best tips and tricks for finding the perfect aprons for your restaurant or restaurant clients.
Types of aprons
Aprons come in different shapes and sizes, each offering a specific style and function. What’s right for one restaurant job might not work for another. Let’s take a look at the most common commercial apron styles:
1. Bib apron:
Often what you think of when you hear the word “apron,” halterneck bib-style aprons provide maximum coverage of your upper, middle and lower body while keeping your hands free. This apron type protects workers from spills, splashing and contaminants. It’s a great choice for employees who work prep, wash dishes, bartend, etc.
2. Waist apron:
Also called food server aprons, this style ties around the waist, offering no upper body protection. Servers and hosts can move freely throughout the dining room, and the apron’s pockets provide space to keep a wine opener, notepad or paper straws handy.
Long waist aprons, sometimes called bistro aprons, fall well below the knees, for a more upscale look that offers extra protection.
3. Four-way aprons
The four-way waist apron gives staff four different surfaces to soil before needing to change their apron. A four-way apron has four layers, allowing workers to switch quickly to a clean layer. This style of apron cuts down on laundering costs and limits the number of aprons you need on hand for every shift. Chefs and other kitchen staff will appreciate the convenience four-way aprons bring to the kitchen.
4. Specialty aprons
Other types of commercial aprons you might want for your restaurant include:
- Tuxedo aprons: An upscale bib apron with tuxedo striping and a sleek cut designed for front-of-the-house staff working in fine dining or catering
- Dishwasher aprons: Waterproof bib aprons designed to keep dish room staff clean and protected from chemicals, grease and grime
- Disposable aprons: Waterproof, single-use plastic aprons that can help reduce cross-contamination in commercial kitchens
What to consider when buying restaurant aprons
By now you know that not just any apron will do. When evaluating aprons to purchase for your restaurant, consider how they will meet the needs of your restaurant and suit your staff members’ roles.
Color
Apron colors should complement your restaurant color scheme, aesthetic and dress code or uniforms. While white can look classy in a high-end restaurant, remember that white aprons make stains and crumbs pop—and not in a good way. Choosing dark-colored aprons for front-of-house employees will help them maintain a professional appearance.
Look for an apron retailer that offers the color (or colors) you need. Venus provides several aprons in 18 colorways, including classics like black, navy blue and maroon, as well as niche colors like seafoam, light peach and gold.
Function
Restaurants need multiple apron types in their arsenal. Waist aprons might offer your servers an easy place to store a notepad, but your back-of-house staff will benefit from bib aprons or four-way aprons.
Similarly, purchasing different variations of the same apron can balance cohesion and function. For example, our 32-inch waist apron is available with no pockets, one book pocket, two book packers or a center-divided pocket.
Fabric
Polyester and poly-cotton blends are popular choices for restaurant aprons. Both fabrications resist wrinkling and shrinking more than cotton, offering a more professional appearance. But, don’t dismiss other fabrics entirely.
Keep in mind too that some brands treat fabric differently than others. A high-end pick, Milliken Signature Aprons combine unmatched softness, an elegant appearance and soil-release technology for easy care.
Quality
Quality aprons not only look better; they last longer, too. When evaluating apron quality, consider the fabric and technical specifications. Look for notes on hemming, stress point reinforcement and the tie system. The last thing you want is for your aprons to fall apart after only a few washes.
High-quality aprons, such as our Duratec Apron, use bar tack at stress points (think pockets and other attachment points) and embedded ties that can withstand being pulled taught for a snug fit. Soil release properties also keep the aprons looking like new wash after wash.
Venus delivers aprons that last
Trust Venus Group to supply your restaurant or industrial launderer clients with quality aprons suitable for front- and back-of-house responsibilities. Our extensive apron offerings include short waist aprons, long bistro aprons, and even, checkered bib aprons. We take pride in helping you find the right solution for your business. Speak to a textile expert today at 800.421.6599 or email us at sales@venusgroup.com.
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