On behalf of the entire Unity Payments team, we sincerely wish your restaurant a very successful summer. Certainly, you don’t have to be reminded about how turmoil-inducing the past 15 to 16 months have been. The pandemic wreaked havoc on your industry and you’re only now beginning to truly pick up the pieces.
Your restaurant may not be fully open for dine-in experiences just yet. But here’s hoping that patio dining and/or takeout and delivery options are easily available at your establishment. Needless to say, a vital part of your restaurant’s success will come by way of ensuring customer satisfaction. What can you do to improve it?
Ensure your staff members are knowledgeable about the menu.
One of the worst things a member of your wait staff can do is respond with “I don’t know” when asked about a menu item. Even if your staff members haven’t eaten your dishes (they can’t be expected to have tried everything), it’s extremely important they have descriptive answers to such questions as “How’s the salmon?” They don’t have to lie either. An appropriate response would be “I hear it’s delicious. Our customers keep telling me how much they love it!”
“Well trained, friendly, efficient — these are all necessary qualities, but basic training for restaurant staff should also stress the importance of knowing the menu inside and out,” insists RewardsNetwork.com, “Asking a server if there’s something they recommend is a common query — and a blank stare rather than a confident answer is not only off-putting, but a clear sign that even the staff aren’t proud or invested in your establishment.”
Create an inviting atmosphere.
Always remember that hungry customers don’t just visit your restaurant for the food. They want a fun and inviting environment where they can enjoy a good time with their friends and families. Keep in mind that, due to the pandemic, many people haven’t been out to eat for quite some time. It’s important to make your establishment one that people feel comfortable visiting. As Chloe Henderson suggests on ZipInventory.com, lay your restaurant out according to its target demographic.
“There are several ways restaurants can cater to their demographic, including music selection, lighting, and table setup,” she writes, “A family restaurant may want more booth seating to fit large families, brighter light and upbeat, appropriate music. On the other hand, a higher-end restaurant may have more tables for two, dim-lighting, artwork, and instrumental music.”
Focus on customer service.
Of course your food should be delicious. And yes, it’s important to have a fun and exciting atmosphere. But it’s vital that everyone who visits your restaurant is greeted with a smile. That smile, of course, should be followed up with excellent service. Simply put, treating your customers with warmth and respect is arguably the top way to improve customer satisfaction.
“Happy customers will spend more, come back again and again, and tell all their friends that the care and respect shown by the staff was just as good as the delicious food on their plates,” contends RewardsNetwork.com, “And that’s why constantly and honestly monitoring, analysing, and improving customer service should be an absolute priority for every cafe, restaurant, and food establishment.”
Can your customers order food directly from your restaurant’s website?
Contact Unity Payments and quickly set up your own online ordering system for your restaurant! To get started, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
