Walk into any cafe these days and you’ll most likely be greeted by the sound of patrons tapping away at laptops, creating the next big thing. Millennials, side-hustlers, startups and freelancers are turning trendy local coffee shops into offices. But hipster coffee spots with cold brew on tap aren’t the only places that can capitalize on this trend. Almost any restaurant can hop onboard the co-working train by partnering with sites like Kettlespace and Spacious. These sites help remote employees find coworking or meeting room space to rent in their areas.
The idea is that restaurants can rent out their space to digital nomads to generate revenue after hours or at slow times. Employees pay a monthly membership fee to the sites and participating restaurants receive a cut of those fees.
Transforming your restaurant real estate into a co-working space isn’t just a way to bring in extra revenue- it can also be a part of your marketing mix. You may become the new favorite dinner spot among employees who discover you via the co-working networks.
If you haven’t yet leased a space for your restaurant, you may want to consider looking for features that would make your eatery an ideal co-working space. Spacious offers these guidelines for their spaces:
- Closed for lunch
- Gorgeous interior with natural light
- Seating for at least 100 (ideally more)
- Street level access
For example, if you open at 5pm for dinner, you will have a good window of time for workers to come in. It also helps to have a private dining room.
The most important features are the amount of space you have and the aesthetic appeal of your restaurant. Spacious and Kettlespace take care of the rest. The companies provide coffee, tea, snacks, and even power strips for your working patrons.
So why not make the most of your space? Sign up to become the next best co-working hotspot!