Building a strong identity is crucial for any restaurant or business looking to stand out in a competitive market. One often overlooked way to achieve this is through custom clothing. Whether it’s outfitting your staff is personalized uniforms or offering branded merchandise to customers, custom apparel plays a key role in shaping your restaurant’s brand. In this blog, we’ll explore how different types of custom clothing can help elevate your restaurant’s identity.
Check out our Business and Corporate and Service industry-specific picks here!
Reasons to Have Custom Apparel and How it Can Boost Your Business:
Create a consistent brand image
Custom uniforms for staff can reflect your restaurant’s brand and theme. Casual t-shirts upscale polos or button-downs all have a different vibe when the staff is dressed up in them. Choosing the appropriate apparel can make or break the brand's identity, and having a well-designed uniform can make your staff instantly recognizable and contribute to a cohesive dining experience.
Selling branded merchandise
Offering branded t-shirts, hoodies, or hats can turn your patrons into walking advertisements. If a customer enjoys your restaurant enough to buy a shirt, you should definitely be selling them! Not only does it help guests feel like they’re part of an exclusive team, but it is also beneficial to your brand awareness.
Special event clothing
Switching up the uniform for holidays, company anniversaries, or events you’re holding in-house, having a new version of the normal uniform could create a special experience for staff and customers alike! Offering these shirts could also be beneficial for selling to those specific, die-hard customers.
Elevate the atmosphere
Uniformity among staff created a polished and professional look. Depending on the kind of dining experience you have, having a matching uniform can greatly elevate the experience for customers coming in. For example, having an old diner aesthetic would greatly benefit from older-looking uniforms that would have been relevant at the time. If you are in a fine-dining restaurant, employees should be dressed up nice and look elegant, to fit the rest of the restaurant.
So, with all of that being said, are you ready to see our top picks for employee uniforms, specifically in a restaurant setting? Let’s get into it!
Polos: Combining Professionalism and Comfort
Polos are a versatile option for restaurants looking to strike a balance between casual and professional. They offer a clean, polished appearance while being comfortable enough for staff to wear during long shifts. Whether your restaurant is a casual eatery or a mid-level dining establishment, polos with embroidered logos or subtle branding can give your staff a uniform look that reinforces your brand’s identity.
Featured Products:
Port Authority-Silk Touch Polo: Featured in Cool Grey, available in 34 colors and in sizes extra small through 6XL.
Sport-Tek Dri Mesh Sport Shirt: Featured in Steel, available in 14 colors and in sizes extra small through 4XL.
Charles River Men’s Wellesley Polo: Featured in Grey/White, available in 9 colors and in sizes small through 5XL.
Mercer+Mettle Stretch Jersey Polo: Featured in Anchor Grey, available in 7 colors and in sizes extra small through 4XL.
Gildan Adult Softstyle Pique Polo: Featured in Sport Grey, available in 12 colors and in sizes small through 4XL.
Polos are particularly effective in restaurants that want to maintain a relaxed atmosphere without sacrificing professionalism. They are easy to customize, and adding your restaurant’s colors and logo can make them stand out.
Button Downs: Elevating Fine Dining with Elegance
For more upscale dining establishments, button-downs provide a refined and elegant look. These uniforms can set the tone for a high-class dining experience, making staff appear polished and professional. Button-downs are ideal for restaurants that want to maintain a sophisticated atmosphere, especially when paired with matching aprons or embroidered logos.
Choosing high-quality fabrics and custom designs for your button-downs can create a sense of luxury, further enhancing the dining experience for your guests. The sleek appearance of button-downs aligns with the expectations of customers visiting a fine dining restaurant, contributing to an atmosphere of elegance.
Featured Products:
Port Authority Men’s Easy Care Long Sleeve Shirt: Featured in Light Stone/ Classic Navy, available in 2 colors and in sizes extra small through 6XL.
Van Heusen Men’s Long Sleeve Dress Twill: Featured in White, available in 5 colors and in sizes small through 3XL.
Brooks Brothers Casual Oxford Cloth Shirt: Featured in White, available in 4 colors and in sizes extra small through 4XL.
Brooks Brothers Wrinkle-Free Stretch Nailhead Shirt: Featured in White, available in 5 colors and in sizes extra small through 4XL.
Red Kap Long Sleeve Industrial Work Shirt: Featured in Light Tan, available in 7 colors and in sizes small through 6XL.
T-Shirts: Casual, Fun, and Accessible
T-shirts are a staple for casual dining establishments, cafes, food trucks, and any venue where a laid-back vibe is key to the experience. Custom t-shirts can be both comfortable for staff and fun for patrons to purchase as branded merchandise. A well-designed t-shirt can turn your staff into walking advertisements, and customers often love wearing branded tees from their favorite spots.
T-shirts offer an excellent opportunity to be creative with your designs. Whether it’s your logo, a catchy slogan, or a fun graphic, t-shirts can make a statement and enhance your restaurant’s identity. Plus, they’re easy to sell to patrons, making them an ideal way to boost brand awareness and engagement.
Featured Products:
Comfort Colors Ringspun Garment-Dyed T-Shirt: Featured in Watermelon, available in 43 colors and in sizes small through 4XL.
Port and Company Basic T-Shirt: Featured in Red, available in 53 colors and in sizes small through 6XL.
Hanes Beefy-T Basic T-Shirt: Featured in Deep Red, available in 17 colors and in sizes small through 5XL.
Port and Company Basic T-Shirt: Featured in Red, available in 27 colors and in sizes small through 6XL.
Tultex Unisex Ultra Blend Tee: Featured in Red, available in 17 colors and in sizes extra small through 3XL.
Long Sleeves: Seasonal Versatility and Comfort
Long-sleeved shirts are fantastic options for cooler months or for restaurants with outdoor seating. These can be easily customized to feature your restaurant’s logo, tagline, or design elements that reflect your brand. Long sleeves provide more coverage and warmth, making them perfect for both outdoor and indoor staff during the fall and winter seasons.
The versatility of long sleeves also allows for more creative designs, with options to add prints or graphics down the sleeves. This can be especially useful for special events or seasonal promotions, helping your restaurants stay current and relevant throughout the year.
Featured Products:
Next Level Women’s Cotton Relaxed Long Sleeve T-Shirt: Featured in Heather Grey, available in 4 colors and in sizes extra small through 3XL.
Comfort Colors Adult Long Sleeve Pocket Tee: Featured in Chambray, available in 15 colors and in sizes small through 3XL.
Hanes Beefy-T Long Sleeve T-Shirt: Featured in Light Blue, available in 17 colors and in sizes small through 3XL.
Next Level Men’s Triblend Long Sleeve Crew: Featured in Indigo Blue, available in 9 colors and in sizes extra small through 2XL.
ComfortWash Garment Dyed Long Sleeve T-Shirt with Pocket: Featured in Soothing Blue, available in 18 colors and sizes small through 3XL.
Aprons: The Quintessential Restaurant Uniform
Aprons are a must-have in any restaurant setting, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments. Not only do aprons protect uniforms from spills, but they also provide an extra canvas for customization. Aprons can include your restaurant’s logo, employee names, or thematic elements that match your restaurant’s vibe.
For casual environments, consider fun, colorful aprons with playful designs. In more upscale restaurants, sleek, minimal aprons in neutral tones can elevate the professional look of your staff. Aprons are also great for special events or seasonal promotions– switching up the design for a holiday or anniversary can create a unique experience for both staff and customers.
Featured Products:
Big Accessories Two-Pocket 30” Apron: Featured in Red and available in 5 colors.
Econscious Organic Cotton Polyester Apron: Featured in Oyster and available in 3 colors.
Artisan Collection by Reprime Unisex Jeans Stitch Demin Bib Apron: Featured in Indigo Denim and available in 2 colors.
Augusta 3 Pocket Waist Apron: Featured in Maroon and available in 9 colors.
Port Authority Market Full-Length Bib Apron: Featured in Ash Grey and available in 2 colors.
From the professionalism of polos and button-downs to the causal charm of t-shirts and long sleeves, and the essential functionality of aprons, custom clothing plays a significant role in building a strong, recognizable brand for your restaurant. When staff is dressed in themed high-quality uniforms that reflect the personality of your establishment, it not only boosts employee morale but also enhances the overall dining experience for your customers.
At Underground Printing, we specialize in creating custom uniforms and merchandise that can help take your restaurant’s identity to the next level. Whether you need polished polos, casual t-shirts, or elegant aprons, we’ve got the apparel options to suit your brand’s needs.
Looking to create apparel for your restaurant but not sure where to start? We’re here to help! At Underground Printing, we’re not happy until you’re happy and our teams are ready to help you create the perfect custom gear. Feel free to reach out in person at one of our locations or via email at help@undergroundshirts.com. We can’t wait to see what apparel you create!