Modern diners have a vast array of choices at their fingertips when they want to eat out, making it important for restaurants to create memorable customer experiences.
From the ambiance of your dining room to the quality of your service and food, every detail matters when you want to stand out and build a loyal customer base.
Use these tips to enhance the customer experience in your establishment when you want to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
1) Designing an Attractive Space
The first thing customers see when they enter your business makes an impact, so it’s imperative to design an attractive space for that first visual impression.
Everything from the lighting to the table placement affects the atmosphere of your restaurant, diner or cafe, shaping customer experiences in the process.
First, consider the aesthetic or theme, including your branding and the cuisine you serve. You might, for example, go with coastal colours for seafood restaurants or farmhouse-style decor if you’re dishing up comfort food.
Staying on theme throughout your space enhances the customer experience by ensuring a cohesive atmosphere.
Seating also makes an outsize impact on customer experiences—when people go out to eat, they want a cozy space that’s far enough away from others for private conversations with their parties.
Consider the flow of the space as well, providing servers ample room to get through without bumping customers while they’re bringing out food.
Related: Top 8 Characteristics of a Successful Restaurateur
2) Improving Customer Service
Exceptional customer service creates a memorable dining experience, especially when paired with excellent food.
Great service makes customers feel valued and appreciated for their patronage, so training staff to be friendly and attentive from the first customer contact to the last goes a long way in building a loyal customer base.
Personalized service only goes so far, however—that service also needs to be prompt and efficient. Long wait times may frustrate customers, whether they need a table or they’re ready to leave.
Technology like POS systems help you streamline service by ensuring smooth communication between your kitchen and waitstaff and quick checkout times.
If complaints do arise — and they will — have a plan in place for turning a potentially negative customer experience into a positive one.
Train your staff to listen to customers with empathy, deliver sincere apologies and provide prompt solutions. Discounts on meals and complimentary desserts, for example, may help pacify unhappy diners.
Related: Why Ideal Point of Sale is the Right Choice for Your Restaurant
3) Creating a Loyal Customer Base
Consistent quality enhances customer experiences and loyalty because diners know what to expect when they enter your restaurant.
Strict quality control in the kitchen and regular training sessions to ensure everyone’s on the same page help you maintain uniformity in food service to better meet and exceed customer expectations.
Another way to keep diners coming through your door is creating a customer loyalty program. Designed to reward repeat diners, customer loyalty programs offer incentives like discounted meals.
When you structure these programs right, you not only encourage customers to return but also glean valuable data about their spending habits at your establishment.
Related: How Portion Control Affects your Restaurant Food Cost
4) Customer Engagement
Engaging with diners also enhances the customer experience.
You might interact with your customers on social media, share updates about your restaurant, including special offers, and answer any questions potential customers may have.
Listening to feedback and implementing changes based on those suggestions may also help your restaurant’s reputation.
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Ian Said, founder of Ideal Software, a software company specializing in Point of Sale and Inventory Control designed exclusively for the Hospitality industry. Follow him on Twitter @costofsale
