By the Spring of 2018, the number of restaurants operating within the US reached a magnanimous figure of over 660,755. The National Restaurant Association of the United States reports $863 billion as projected sales for the year 2019. The industry also offers around 15.3 million job opportunities for workers in the nation. This roughly amounts to 10% of the overall US workforce. When it comes to attendants available at a particular venue, 9 out of 10 restaurants have less than 50 employees on the job. With around 1.6 million new restaurant jobs to be created by 2029, there is no doubt that there is an immense pressure to succeed and sustain your venture’s profitability at all times. This is why in this post we would like to share with you some brilliant ideas through which you can make sure that your chain restaurant doesn’t simply stay relevant for your targeted audiences but is also able to attract new customers along the way. So let’s take a quick look at each one of them.
The Ambiance Always Matters!
Regardless of the fact whether your diner offers a casual setting or something more sophisticated, there is a need to develop an atmosphere around your service that encourages customers to visit your place often. Food is often considered as a religious affair for many out there and while preferences can differ from merely scientific reasons and those including spiritual influences, there is no wonder that some of us eat to live while others live to eat. Hence from the very sign that displays your logo and the main entrance to the seating environment and the final exit, everything matters. The lighting, the space your diner has to offer, the background music, and the flair in the air, it all counts to create a memorable experience for your customers. If they connect extrinsically and intrinsically towards what you have to offer then chances are they may visit your venue more frequently.
The Wait Staff Plays a Vital Role
The general hospitality which the restaurant imbues is no doubt a winner for your venture. This can only be accomplished if you train your staff well and provide them with extensive education and learning regarding how to greet and treat customers well. First and foremost their physical appearance and overall attire should speak volumes about themselves without even uttering a single word. Hence custom wait staff uniforms are great for giving off a professional look. Secondly their personal grooming and hygiene should be impeccable. Lastly they must have comprehensive training and polished skills in meeting challenges, dealing with conflicts, and resolving concerns in a steadfast, courteous, and tactful manner.
There is Always Room for Improvements
One cannot simply say that they have mastered the art of running a restaurant. This is due to the fact that with time, people often have a change in their preferences, and nothing remains the same for too long in this line of business. Some of the general features for which customer might judge your venue includes:
- Wi-Fi Internet Connectivity
- Seating Capacity
- Valet Parking / Parking Space
- Accommodations & Reservations for Business Meetings / Families with Kids / Special Occasions
- Takeaway & Home Delivery Options
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Menus
- Availability for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Buffets, & Catering Options
- Flexible mode of payments, Credit Cards, and Loyalty Bonuses
- In-House Bar, Cocktails, Salads, and Desserts
- Scenic Views and Romantic Settings
- Live Music, Television, & Other Forms of Entertainment
- Wheelchair Accessibility /Pet-Friendly (especially guide dogs)
- Private Dining, Table Service, Outdoor Seating,
- & much more
Also Read: Boost Your Sales and Grow Your Business Dramatically with Live Video Sessions
Loyalty Programs & Customer-Centric Approaches
While there is a definite need to promulgate your own brand, story, and thematic to your place, however, you must not lose focus on your customers. Hence the stronger the bonds and relationships you build with them the more they will be interested to familiarize themselves with you. Interaction and engagement are necessary for you to make them feel at home and at ease whenever they visit you. Treat them like family or really important guests who feel like they deserve more attention from you. Develop not only loyalty programs for them to achieve terrific bonuses and discounts, in fact create a world around them that puts them in the center. Celebrate with them, dance with them, in fact become their best getaway and escape from all the worries their lives revolve around. People should simply just visit your place to feel good about themselves and end up changing their moods for the better.
We hope this post was able to offer you some great insights as to how a restaurant chain can stay relevant to their audiences to this day and age. For more questions and queries regarding the topic, please feel free to let us know your opinions in the comment section below.