TouchBistro Unveils 2026 Patio Season Guide to Help Restaurants Capitalize on a Record-Setting Summer

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--All-in-one restaurant management system, TouchBistro, today releases its 2026 Patio Season Guide for Restaurants. Conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll surveying more than 1,200 full-service restaurant operators across the U.S. and Canada, the guide gives operators a practical playbook for turning their outdoor dining space into one of their strongest revenue drivers of the year.

With a slate of major sporting events set to draw crowds across North America this summer, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining patio season. More than 81per cent of North American operators offer outdoor dining and for many, it drives up to 49 per cent of total sales. This stretch of the year can single-handedly determine whether a business finishes in the black.

"Patio season is already one of the biggest revenue opportunities of the year," said Samir Zabaneh, Chairman and CEO of TouchBistro. "With the World Cup set to draw record crowds this summer, 2026 could be a breakthrough year for restaurants that prepare. The differentors are having the right team, the right tools, and a guest experience that makes every outdoor seat count.”

Key findings include:

• Patios account for an average of around 20 per cent of total sales, climbing to 25-49 per cent for many operators
• More than 30 per cent of operators who operate a patio report more customers dining in larger groups, adding complexity to patio staffing and operations
• 39 per cent of operators plan to add private events, representing a significant revenue diversification opportunity
• Over 80 per cent of operators who operate a patio are optimistic about the future of their business, and a well-run patio season is a big reason why

That optimism is well-founded, but it comes with pressure. Thirty per cent of operators have expanded their patio seating capacity in the past year, but that growth adds meaningful operational complexity. Furthermore, over 30 per cent report that more customers are dining in larger groups, a trend likely to intensify as fans gather to watch the action.

Patio operations, then, become even more nuanced than simply adding headcount. That means higher overall labor costs, sharper swings in customer flow to manage, and a greater need for restaurant tech that works seamlessly across indoor and outdoor service.

How Can Restaurants Prepare for Patio Season?
Patio season puts additional pressure on already lean teams, leading operators to manage labor costs primarily by increasing productivity and cross-training staff across roles.. It's a strong starting point, but there's much more operators can do to make the most of the summer season.

TouchBistro’s 2026 Patio Season Guide outlines how tools like labor management platforms, QR code menus, and mobile POS systems – and even locking in a pest control regimen – can help operators run leaner and smarter without compromising the guest experience. With a pivotal summer season fast approaching, the operators who prepare now will be the ones pouring celebratory pints come the final whistle.

The 2026 Patio Season Guide for Restaurants is available for free download HERE.

To learn more about TouchBistro, visit www.touchbistro.com.

About The Patio Season Guide for Restaurants
The data referenced throughout this guide was sourced from TouchBistro's 2026 State of Restaurants Reports, where TouchBistro surveyed more than 1,200 full-service restaurant owners, presidents, and area and general managers across the U.S. and Canada. Research was conducted from October 2 to October 25, 2025. Additional insights were gathered from TouchBistro customers and operators via direct survey in April 2026. Read the 2026 American State of Restaurants Report here and the 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report here.

About TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system that makes running a restaurant easier by providing essential front of house, back of house, and guest engagement solutions on one powerful platform. TouchBistro helps restaurateurs streamline and simplify their operations, increase sales, and deliver a great guest experience. For additional information, visit TouchBistro.com.