Guide to Restaurant Floor Mats

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Restaurants can vary widely in terms of their aesthetics, layouts, culinary styles, and themes. On the other hand, all restaurants, in general, share the same basic structure when it comes to the various areas or zones of the establishment, such as the entranceway, kitchen, dining area, dishwashing zone, and receiving or backdoor area.

Make sure your restaurant is providing the ultimate guest experience, by taking the time now to evaluate whether the mats currently being used in the different areas of your restaurant are best suited to their purpose.

The Right Mat for Each Area of Your Restaurant

Use this facility guide to find the right commercial floor mat for a specific location in your restaurant. Choosing the right mat can help make staff happier and healthier and bring together the experience for your customers. Here is a breakdown of the most common areas of a restaurant and the mats that are best suited to those areas.

Not all mats are created equal. Shopping for foodservice matting is the first step, but this only takes care of mats used by restaurant staff in the kitchen. Throughout your facility, many other mat types are needed. Entry mats, anti-fatigue mats, rubber outdoor mats, non-slip mats, and others – learn more about our best sellers below.

Outdoor entrance mats are constantly exposed to the elements. Over time, sunlight and extreme temperatures will wear out the fibers of a mat not designed for outdoor functions. A rubber entrance mat is well suited for outdoor placement.

A rubber scraper mat works as the first line of defense against moisture and debris brought in by foot traffic. The Ridge Scraper features a raised-bar construction that will begin the scraping process and keep your restaurant’s entrance area clean.

Secondary entrance mats are rated for inside or outside use. Secondary door mats are designed to continue the scraping process using a high/low rib design that will scrape and trap debris from the bottom of shoes.

A secondary entrance mat is also ideal for a logo mat. These mats can provide the same level of entranceway protection as other entrance way mats, and they can add an aesthetic quality that will promote your establishment’s brand or message.

Hosts and hostesses constantly move in and out of their stations as they greet and escort guests to their tables. Mats for these host and checkout areas are general-purpose, anti-fatigue floor mats that will provide back and leg support for employees.

Mats designed to be used in behind-the-bar areas are generally anti-fatigue mats with drainage holes that provide non-slip support for workers required to stand for long periods of time in potentially wet areas.

Mats intended for use in these areas often feature a lightweight anti-fatigue design with beveled edges that will reduce tripping hazards making it the ideal choice for this area.

Water or computer stations are where servers input guest’s orders and they are often located somewhere between the dining room and kitchen. As food is brought through this area from the kitchen, grease and oils can be tracked into the computer station. This means that a mat for this zone should be a grease-resistant anti-fatigue mat that will offer support and traction for workers. The grease-resistant nitrile rubber or / PVC construction of these mats makes them ideal for any computer or water station.

Mats intended for use in a salad bar area should be general-purpose mats that provide support and traction for guests as they get their food. Mats intended for use in these areas often feature a low-profile construction that will provide reliable traction for customers and employees.

Red mats that are rated for greasy or oily areas are ideal for commercial kitchens. Putting a mat that is not grease resistant in the kitchen will cause rapid deterioration and deformation that could end up being a safety hazard.

Mats designed for use in kitchen areas are typically heavy-duty kitchen floor mats that provide the highest level of grease resistance. Some mats in this category are also lightweight, which makes them easy to load onto a mat rack for cleaning.

Prep areas require workers to stand for long periods. Drainage mats with anti-fatigue comfort properties and grease resistance are a good idea for part of the restaurant. Mats designed for prep areas typically feature large drainage holes and an anti-fatigue construction that will support prep-area workers.

The primary concern in a dishwashing area is moisture. Excess water presents a potential slipping hazard for employees in this area, so it is a good idea to look for a mat with good anti-slip qualities. Mats intended for use in the dishwashing area provide anti-fatigue support for workers and reliable traction that will help to reduce slips and falls.

Mats intended for use in deep freezers can withstand extremely low temperatures. Mats designed for walk-in freezers are not only made to withstand the cold but also to provide traction using specially designed patterns on the surface of the mat.

Backdoor areas are, generally, where shipments are received and processed. An all-purpose mat that provides traction and support for employees is ideal for this area. Mats intended for use in backdoor areas often feature an anti-slip, low-profile construction that allows carts to move on and off easily.

Need good all-around, general-purpose matting for the restaurant? Many rubber floor mats fit the need of the everyday mat for any restaurant needing a great mat without needing a top-of-the-line solution.

In the bustling environment of a restaurant, even the office space plays a crucial role in maintaining a smooth operation. The right choice of mats can significantly enhance comfort, safety, and aesthetics. Anti-fatigue mats, designed with cushioning properties, are a perfect addition to the office area. They help reduce fatigue for employees who spend hours on their feet, ensuring productivity remains high throughout the day.

NoTrax offers a wide range of mats designed for every area of your restaurant. Mats are available in standard sizes, and many mats feature custom sizing options as well. For unique spaces, modular options that can be fitted to any layout are available. Contact a NoTrax product specialist today and find the mats that are perfect for your restaurant.