Why so many restaurants don't use fabric tablecloths anymore?

Question

Why so many restaurants don't use fabric tablecloths anymore?

Answer 1

most restaurants send their linens to a company that washes them and sends them back. that probably gets very expensive.

Answer 2

It depends on the restaurant. Most of the restaurants I frequent use cloth (and a linen service). I'll occasionally go to a chain that uses paper, but they're a lot cheaper.

Answer 3

There are a few reasons why restaurants are switching over to paper or plastic tablecloths these days:

1. It's much cheaper to use paper or plastic

2. Children (and some adults) spill everything/make messes, and it's easier to use a paper or plastic tablecloth and just replace it after each customer leaves, versus having to wash fabric ones and possibly having stains

3. Many of the paper ones are also used as entertainment for kids, they are given crayons/pens/markers and they keep pretty quiet while they wait for their food because they can draw on the tablecloth

Answer 4

It's cheaper to use the plastic ones.