A Guide for Restaurants

As a restaurant owner, it's critical to make sure your customers are happy and satisfied with their experience at your establishment. After all, if they don't feel like they got what they were looking for or had a negative experience, then you won't see them return, and even worse, you may even get negative reviews that could drive away future customers!

As a restaurant owner, you will be aware that the restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and customer pain points are changing along with it. The good news is that there are numerous steps you can take to ensure your restaurant is meeting customer needs every time. Here at tabl, we have taken the time to analyse current pain points for customers using the latest online reviews and social media mentions and put together this guide to help support you, the restaurant owner. This resource provides insight into relevant topics such as identifying areas where current operations can be improved, and ways best practices can be implemented so that your guests have an unforgettable dining experience.

A Guide for Restaurants

In this guide, we'll dive into the importance of giving great service in restaurants and provide tips on how to create an efficient workflow that will keep both your staff and customers happy alike. Read on for more!

Slow Service

Recent online reviews and social media mentions about slow service in restaurants have highlighted the need for improvement. Customers are often frustrated when they have to wait a long time for their food or drinks, and this can lead to negative experiences. Restaurants can take steps to improve speed of service, such as ensuring that staff are adequately trained and scheduling employees appropriately. Additionally, restaurants should strive to provide excellent customer service by being friendly and attentive to customers' needs. By taking these steps, restaurants can ensure that customers have a positive experience and will be more likely to return in the future.

Incorrect orders

When taking customer orders, there has been a growing problem in recent times, as highlighted by online reviews and social media mentions. Customers are increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of their food orders, citing incorrect ingredients or missing items. Restaurants need to take steps to ensure that orders are accurately fulfilled, such as double-checking orders before they are sent out and using modern technology to track orders. Additionally, staff should be trained on how to properly handle customer complaints and resolve issues quickly and efficiently. By taking these steps, restaurants can improve customer satisfaction and ensure that their customers receive the correct order every time.

High Prices

Recent online reviews and social media mentions have highlighted the issue of high prices in restaurants. This has been a cause for concern among customers, who are looking for more affordable options. Restaurants can improve this by offering discounts or promotions on certain days or times, as well as providing customers with value-added services such as free delivery or takeout. Additionally, they can look into ways to reduce food waste and increase efficiency to keep costs down while still providing quality meals.

Long wait times

Recently, online reviews and social media mentions have revealed that long wait times to be seated or served in restaurants have become a common issue. Customers have reported waiting up to 30 minutes for a table, and even longer for their food orders. This can lead to an unpleasant experience for diners, and can result in lost business for restaurant owners. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to reduce wait times in restaurants. Scheduling the right employees, taking reservations, setting up an online reservation system, creating clear assignments and increasing staff numbers are all effective ways of reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.

To improve this situation, restaurants can take several measures. They can implement online reservation systems, which allow customers to book their tables in advance. Restaurants can also hire more staff to accommodate the increased demand during peak hours. Another approach is to provide customers with entertainment while they wait, such as games or live music. By taking these steps, restaurants can improve the customer experience and reduce the number of negative reviews.

Lack of menu variety or customisation options for customers

Recent online reviews and social media mentions have pointed out that some restaurants lack menu variety or customisation options for customers. This issue can be frustrating for diners who have dietary restrictions or preferences. To improve this situation, restaurants can offer more flexible menus that include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. They can also provide a build-your-own option, allowing customers to create their own meals with the ingredients they prefer. Additionally, restaurants can ask for customer feedback on menu items and incorporate suggestions into their offerings. By providing more menu variety and customisation options, restaurants can attract a wider customer base, improve customer satisfaction, and receive positive reviews.

Additionally, restaurants should consider introducing cycle menus that offer different dishes on a rotating basis, allowing customers to experience something new each time they visit. By providing more variety and customisation options, restaurants can ensure that all customers are satisfied with their dining experience.

Lack of loyalty shown by restaurants

While looking through online reviews and social media, there are often mentions about loyalty not being rewarded in restaurants. Suggesting that customers are not impressed with smaller rewards, and that restaurant loyalty programs need to offer more than just discounts. A survey conducted by William Blair showed that 55% of diners are not members of any restaurant loyalty programs, indicating a large potential for engagement.

Many customers are expecting to be rewarded for their repeat visits, but traditional loyalty programs may not be enough to keep them coming back. To improve customer loyalty, restaurants should focus on offering non-discount rewards such as exclusive access to new menu items or events, personalized experiences, and other incentives that encourage customers to return. Additionally, it is important for restaurants to ensure that their rewards program offers adequate discounts or benefits that will make customers feel appreciated and valued.

By creating an effective loyalty program that meets the needs of their customers, restaurants can increase customer engagement and create a loyal customer base. To improve this, restaurants should focus on app-based engagement such as digital loyalty cards and receipt scanning and offer incentives beyond discounts, such as free items or other rewards. By doing this, restaurants can create loyal customers who will be more likely to visit again and spend more.

Customer attention from staff members

Reviews and feedback have highlighted a common issue in restaurants - clients not receiving enough attention from staff members. This can be a major source of frustration for customers, as they feel that their needs are not being met.

This can be caused by a lack of training, or even an overworked staff. To improve this, restaurant owners should ensure that their staff are adequately trained in customer service skills such as friendliness, knowledge, flexibility and attention to detail. Additionally, they should make sure that their staff have the right resources to provide excellent service without being overworked.

Additionally, managers should regularly check in with the staff to make sure they are providing adequate customer service. Finally, restaurants should provide incentives for employees who go above and beyond when it comes to customer service. By taking these steps, restaurant owners can ensure that their customers receive the attention they deserve.

Inconsistent food quality

The inconsistency in restaurants suggests that the main cause is down to the staff turnover. This can lead to a lack of consistency in the preparation of meals, resulting in varying tastes and temperatures. To ensure consistent food quality, restaurateurs should focus on implementing processes, training, and preparation that are consistent across all their outlets. Additionally, they should ensure that their staff is well-versed in the restaurant’s standards and expectations for food quality. Finally, it is important to maintain cleanliness and sanitation in order to provide a safe dining experience for customers. By following these steps, restaurants can improve their customer experience by providing consistently high-quality meals.

Poor hygiene

Poor hygiene in restaurants is a major concern for many customers. Dirty utensils, tables, and restrooms can create an unpleasant experience and can lead to the spread of germs and diseases. To improve hygiene in restaurants, owners should ensure that all surfaces are regularly cleaned with disinfectant and that all staff members are properly trained on proper hygiene practices. Utensils should be washed thoroughly after each use, and all food preparation areas should be kept clean at all times. Additionally, restrooms should be regularly cleaned and stocked with soap and paper towels. By taking these steps, restaurant owners can help ensure that their customers have a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

Unpleasant atmosphere

Recent online reviews and social media mentions have highlighted the issue of an unpleasant atmosphere in some restaurants, such as loud music or poor lighting. This can negatively impact the customer experience and result in negative reviews. To improve the atmosphere, restaurants can consider adjusting the lighting to create a more relaxed ambiance. They can also provide separate areas for customers who prefer a quieter dining experience. Additionally, restaurants can ask for customer feedback on the music volume and genre to ensure they are catering to their customers' preferences. By taking steps to create a pleasant atmosphere, restaurants can improve the overall dining experience, attract new customers, and receive positive reviews.

Unresponsive or unhelpful management

Customers are often frustrated when their complaints and feedback are not addressed by restaurant staff, leading to an overall poor experience. To improve this situation, restaurant owners should ensure that their staff is properly trained in customer service and that they have a system in place to address customer concerns quickly and effectively. Additionally, restaurant owners should make sure that customers feel heard and appreciated by responding to comments on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. By taking these steps, restaurants can create a more positive environment for customers and ensure that their feedback is taken seriously.

Issues with reservations

It seems issues with reservations in restaurants have highlighted the need for improved customer service. Customers have reported overbooking, cancelled reservations without notice, and long wait times. Restaurants should strive to provide better communication with customers, such as confirming reservations via email or text message, and providing updates if there are any changes to the reservation. Additionally, restaurants should ensure that their staff is well-trained on how to handle customer complaints and inquiries in a timely manner. By taking these steps, restaurants can improve their customer service and ensure that customers have a positive experience when making a reservation.

Limited parking or difficult parking options

Restaurants are often faced with the challenge of limited parking or difficult parking options. Customers have been vocal about their frustrations with this issue on online reviews and social media mentions. Many restaurants have implemented creative solutions to improve the parking situation, such as offering valet services, reserving spots for customers, and providing discounts for those who carpool. Additionally, some restaurants have partnered with local businesses to offer shared parking lots or spaces in nearby garages. By taking these steps, restaurants can ensure that their customers have a convenient and stress-free experience when visiting their establishment.

Ensure your restaurant is meeting customer needs with tabl.com

Along with data research, insights and global marketing within the food and drink industry,
tabl. is partnering with restaurant owners to help deliver world-class restaurant experiences. If you are interested or have any questions then contact us at [email protected] or via our online chat, let's see how you can get the most out of your restaurant!

The restaurant industry is a dynamic and ever-changing environment, it is important for businesses to stay ahead of the curve by understanding customer pain points and finding solutions. Customers are looking for convenience, value, and quality when they visit restaurants, so it's important to identify any issues that could be preventing them from having a positive experience.  With the right strategies in place, restaurants can ensure that customers have an enjoyable experience every time they visit.

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