Providing top-notch customer service and an excellent dining experience isn’t rocket science. You know that your servers need to be knowledgeable and attentive. You know that diners should feel welcomed and invited into their space. You know that they shouldn’t feel rushed, but they also shouldn’t be waiting too long for their drinks and food to arrive.
Even if you have these practices nailed down, there is likely more you can do. The tiniest tweaks or offerings can lead to more satisfied customers, thereby more repeat customers. Keep reading to learn five ways to elevate your diner’s experience.
1. Keep the Kids Happy
The happier the kids, the happier the parents. Having a plan for younger diners can help parents feel more at ease during their night out. Handing children a coloring book or stickers upon sitting can help keep them occupied as their parents look at the menu. Having high chairs at the ready is a way to show that kids are welcome. And plastic cups with lids will lessen the chances of unnecessary spills.
If your restaurant has the space, you may also decide to install playground equipment on your property. A climbing area or swingset will delight children, while their parents wait for a table or enjoy their meal. These touches keep the entire family happy and encourage them to continue dining with you in the future too.
2. Offer a Pre-Service Gift
When guests first sit down, greeting them with a little treat is nice. A sip of champagne, a basket of bread with savory butter, or a mini appetizer are all welcome gestures. Cost-wise, these are minimal expenses that can set the tone for a wonderful evening. While you may assume these offerings are only for high-end establishments, they can work for modest restaurants too.
Giving away these freebies can also inspire reciprocity and appreciation. Your servers may receive a higher tip if guests feel welcomed and appreciated by this token of generosity. It’s also a way to keep visitors pleased as they wait for their main meals to arrive.
3. Train Your Staff About Allergies and Intolerances
Food allergies and intolerances are on the rise, with more than 32 million people in the United States with at least one allergy. Chefs and servers must know what items on the menu could potentially be dangerous to those with a food allergy or intolerance. When a server takes everyone’s order, they should ask if anyone has any intolerance they should be aware of. This question helps put diners at ease, ensuring they have a safe dining experience.
It’s up to the chefs and staff to provide servers with accurate, updated information about ingredients. If the menu changes often, make sure the staff are well-educated. Also, servers shouldn’t hesitate to ask the chef about a dish, if a diner has a unique allergy. It’s always best to ask and be 100% positive than to assume and have an unfortunate situation.
It helps if menu items are labeled as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Again, this puts diners at ease and lets them know that the restaurant is there to serve them in the best way possible.
4. Allow for Ordering and Payment at the Table
Diners today are looking for seamless ways to order and pay. While they like having a server available, they also like to use their own devices for ordering and paying. When a diner is hungry, they know what they want to order and want to do so quickly. Don’t let them feel like they’re waiting until a server is available to order.
The same goes for payment. A full and satisfied customer wants to sign the check and leave. They don’t need the shuffling of the credit card to the server back to them to sign and tip. Having handled devices makes the customer happy and streamlines the process for the servers too. This update process can increase turntables, boost gratuity, and even reduce your labor costs by freeing up servers.
5. Set Up a Loyalty Program
To entice customers to return to your establishment, you may want to consider rewarding them through a loyalty program. If you invest in your loyal customers, you don’t have to invest as much in marketing to new potential diners. Upon a diner’s first experience with you, let them know about the loyalty program. Make sign-up easy and efficient, such as sharing their email address or phone number as they are paying. If you’re using a handheld device for payment, this makes the process even easier.
How you set up your loyalty program is up to you! Maybe you reward diners based on the number of times they’ve visited you. Or, maybe you offer a points system for them to cash in rewards such as a free drink, appetizer, or dessert. Offering a birthday reward is also a nice touch, inviting them to celebrate their special day with you.
Takeaways
Enhancing the diner’s experience through these various tactics is vital to enforcing your restaurant’s positioning and brand. Customers will know you for your exceptional service and attention to detail. They’ll be more inclined to speak about your restaurant with friends, perhaps even inviting them to go together in the future. All in all, the better the experience, the more likely guests will leave a positive review and return for another meal.