Last month, we posted a blog that listed some steps to a rise in summertime action at your restaurant. We suggested that you host outdoor events, unveil a new summer menu and promote a live music series. The summer season provides you with many opportunities to welcome more customers to your eatery. However, to set your establishment apart from others, it’s wise to be creative and unique.
Here are four creative ways to dazzle your restaurant’s patrons:
1. Call your customers by name.
How often have you dined in a restaurant and had your server refer to you by name? We’re willing to bet that either “not often at all”, “hardly ever” or “actually...never!” are the most popular responses to this question. Create a policy that asks your servers to ask for the names of their guests. They may not all be easy to remember. However, the effort placed in getting to know your customers on a first-name basis can go a long way.
“When an employee greets loyal customers by using their names, it makes those customers feel valued and increases their loyalty to your business,” writes John Tschohl on Franchising.com, “It’s not unusual to have at least 10 restaurants within a 1-mile radius, which means customers have several choices when dining out. Deciding factors for customers include the quality of your food, price, good service—and employees who address customers by name.”
2. Ensure that your staff members love working for you.
There is simply no way to satisfy your customers if the people serving them aren’t satisfied themselves. Have you created a fun and engaging work environment? Everyone from your chefs to your servers should love to work at your restaurant. It will generate a warm and exciting atmosphere for your customers. As well, ensuring employee satisfaction will get them to stay. After all, no employer enjoys a high employee turnover rate.
“Turning hospitality work into a career choice with flexible hours, social or sports programs, and even bonuses for reaching targets are all extra ways to engage staff and keep them working for you,” says RewardsNetwork.com, “If the staff are happy, chances are they will be more willing to go the extra mile for your customers.”
3. Respond to negative reviews online.
In truth, no one WANTS negative reviews about their businesses. However, you may want to change your mind about the possibility of getting them. In the event you see an online review from a disgruntled customer, take it as an opportunity to make your business shine. Directly respond to the complaint offering your sincere apologies and willingness to remedy the situation. Not only will your attention to the matter impress the angry customer, it will impress all others who see the online interaction.
“When you respond to negative reviews, you position yourself as a company that cares,” notes Andrew Brzezicki of Bazaarvoice, “It shows that you’re listening to what your customers say and taking the time to solve their problems and improve. We’ve seen that products with at least a few negative reviews have higher conversion rates than those with 100% positive feedback.”
4. Allow your customers to pay at the table.
Why not use the sleek dual-screen smart payment terminal from Unity Payments? Equipped with our POS solution, your restaurant can optimize the checkout process, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty and drive revenue growth. To learn all about it, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
