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Dining out is a large part of millions of peoples' lifestyles. In 2021, the restaurant industry generated nearly $800 billion in sales. Although that number represents a decline of $65 billion from 2019's pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Restaurant Association, roughly 15 million people are still employed by the restaurant industry in the United States.
Restaurants have faced an uphill battle to remain profitable in the shadow of the global pandemic. Supply chain issues, rising food costs and worker shortages continue to affect the way these establishments do business. Restaurant owners who want to stand out and have the best chances for success may think about taking steps to improve dining experiences for their patrons.
• Know the menu inside and out. Restaurant employees should be well-versed in the establishment's offerings. When tasked with making recommendations, it helps if they can offer first-hand experience about dishes to guests.
• Greet diners by name. Whenever possible, front of house staff should try to remember returning guests' names and greet those people by name. This shows how much a restaurant values its guests, especially those who keep coming back.
• Properly vet and train employees. The National Restaurant Association says one in three Americans have had their first job experiences in restaurants. Employee interactions with customers can greatly affect a business. Ensure that all employees are properly trained and treated well to reduce turnover that can affect the customer experience.
• Improve on visual presentation. People eat with their eyes as much as they do with their mouths. Step up your game on how plates look as well as how they taste.
• Consider a loyalty program. Loyalty programs are very popular. Restaurants can offer such programs, which reward repeat customers with discounts or even free meals once they accumulate enough points.
• Keep safety in mind. Although many COVID-19 restrictions regarding restaurants have been lifted, guests may still seek reassurance that establishments are being as safe as possible. Explore upgrades to ventilation systems to keep plenty of fresh air flowing. Space out tables and limit seating so the restaurant isn't shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons. Install touchless faucets and paper towel dispensers in restrooms. Improving accessibility for impaired guests is another welcome gesture.
• Be cognizant of allergies and accommodate patrons as much as possible. Food allergies are commonplace, with soy, shellfish, eggs, dairy, and gluten among some of the more common ingredients diners avoid. Think about building specialty menus around foods that are allergen-free.
Restaurant owners can do much to improve the dining experiences for guests and the reputations of their businesses.