Starting a new restaurant has many things to decide; besides good food and ambiance, restaurants must do more to attract desired customers.
The National Restaurant Association estimates a 30% failure rate in the restaurant industry. That’s one in three restaurants not surviving their first year. (Price 2023) Though these numbers may sound less optimistic for a new business owner, finding the missing pieces of the success rate should be a great starting point.
A few critical elements will always stay important no matter which year you start your restaurant business. Customer experience for a new restaurant is a big part of its success.
Looking at the average and current market scenario, you may also re-evaluate if it’s the right time to enter the restaurant business. Let’s look at the recent survey results conducted by PopMenu. Households spend 40% of their monthly food budgets on restaurants despite inflation or perhaps because of it. Some consumers opine that it’s cheaper to order from a restaurant than buy groceries needed to cook that meal. (Varricchio 2023)
Customers walk into a restaurant, especially a new one, with many expectations. They are looking for new experiences, say seasonal delicacies, personalized interactions, comfortable seating, easy payment modes, and more. It may all sound so routine and what every restaurant must be offering. Don’t be mistaken. These are game-changers, and focusing on these elements can enhance customer experience at your new restaurant and win you long-term customers.
New restaurant owners can implement five critical things to heighten customer experience.
- Train Your Staff Well to Attend to Customer Satisfaction
Upon entering the restaurant, customers can instantly be pleased if they are greeted well and ensured to be looked after. A well-trained front-of-house staff plays a vital role in fostering customer engagement.
Using a CRM system from the beginning can help track diners’ order patterns. You can use it to your advantage to give quick suggestions. You can offer a welcome drink while the customers wait for the table, and provide recommendations on food and drink options.
- Interact With Customers Regularly: Go the Extra Mile
Trust us when we say connecting with your diners is more of a science than art. While it’s essential to do it, the staff must time it properly. You can engage with customers and get to know their food preferences during the ordering process.
Apart from it, avoid sending the same bulk message or email to all your customers. Surprise them with something extra. Personalize their note with a birthday wish or a coupon for a favorite dish at half the menu price, etc.
- Install Modern Restaurant Technology
Restaurant technology is almost a mandatory element of a new restaurant’s business plan. It increases your restaurant’s efficiency and productivity. The key to success lies in installing smart devices or tools. There are so many options available in the market today, like digital headsets, POS systems, digital menu boards, timers, signages, CRM tools, and more. Making wrong choices can overwhelm you, and an ineffective installation can waste big dollars. We advise seeking professional help to choose the right equipment that suits your restaurant’s needs.
- Be Open to Feedback
Customer feedback is one of the best ways to build your restaurant’s brand value. Positive feedback, asking for reviews and recommendations generates trust. Feedback on digital platforms such as Google or Facebook is invaluable. When people scout for new restaurants, these social media reviews are helpful. You will be surprised to see the number of visitors who come through social media.
- Surprise Your Customers
Who doesn’t like occasional surprises? Offering unexpected perks like exclusive discounts, vouchers, and special offers which can delight your customers. It will induce more visits and often an excellent referral to friends and family.
Loyalty programs are an effective way to encourage repeat customers. A Deloitte survey shows that almost half of restaurant loyalty members (47%) use their memberships several times a month, and nearly a third (32%) do so several times a week. (Chick 2023)
Start a fun #hashtag and request your diners to post it with their pictures or videos. If it works optimally, your restaurant could be trending all over the internet.
Conclusion
These are clever ways to improve your restaurant’s visibility and enhance customer experience. Don’t limit your strategy. Get with your team and experiment with fresh ideas to delight your customers.
Business Sound & Communications can be your resource for all your restaurant technology needs, providing personalization and convenience to your diners.
We are family-owned and operated, serving Houston and surrounding areas for over 25 years. Our strength is in giving a competitive edge with sales and service of drive-thru communications, digital menu boards, POS systems, timers, scent marketing, surveillance equipment, and more for restaurants and hospitality businesses.
We represent Panasonic, HME, PAR, MoodMedia, and ICRealtime. You can call us at (281) 590-3400.
Works Cited
Varricchio, Eugene. “Council Post: Restaurants: Foster Staff and Customer Loyalty to Drive New Business.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 5 Jan. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/01/05/restaurants-foster-staff-and-customer-loyalty-to-drive-new-business/?sh=2ee63addb884.
Price, Caroline. “What Is the Restaurant Failure Rate? .” Toasttab.com, Toast, 2023, https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/restaurant-failure-rate.
Chick, Jean. “Unlocking the Value of Loyalty Programs for Restaurants.” Deloitte United States, 16 Jan. 2023, https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/restaurant-loyalty-program.html.
