Owning a restaurant is one of the trickiest ventures to manage successfully. You must ensure you deliver a stellar service every time a client comes to dine. It takes a lot of time and effort to establish yourself as a new restaurant, however, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you along the way. Here are seven things that every restaurant owner should know.
Create Meaningful Relationships with Clients and Suppliers
Many restauranteurs know that their relationships with clients are extremely important. However, only a few dedicate that same effort to building solid relationships with their suppliers. For example, if your business needs plenty of Chinese restaurant supply, having a reliable wholesaler will allow you to benefit from the greatest deals.
It’s the little things that count, make sure to put 110% effort into your communication with both clients and suppliers alike. Find common ground and make pleasant conversation when you see them.
Never Take on More Than You Can Chew
It’s easy to get carried away when things are going well with your restaurant. Once you start bringing in more people, and hence considerable profits, you may be tempted to take on more than you can chew.
If you start over-booking or expanding your menu too ambitiously, you may run the risk of decreasing the quality of your service. The most important thing about running a restaurant is consistency, so make sure you always meet or exceed, customer expectations.
Hire Attentive and Experienced Staff
You can nail the food and the ambiance, but if the service is below par, customers will get frustrated and their whole dining experience will be ruined. The best way to avoid customer service mishaps is by hiring attentive and experienced staff.
Running a restaurant is like clockwork, every small component must be working together to provide the ultimate service. If you operate in a tourist hotspot, look for people with language skills as this is a great plus.
Embrace Critique and Grow from It
Another thing that you will have to accept as a restaurant owner is that not everybody may like your food. Even if you have a swarm of positive reviews, a negative one will always cut deeper than the others.
Rather than lashing out, try to embrace critique and grow from it. Owning a restaurant can be a very humbling experience. Make tweaks as you go along and listen to what customers and critics have to say.
Think About the Ambiance
As we’ve previously mentioned, a dining experience is composed of many different elements. One of these being the ambiance. This refers to the character and atmosphere of a specific place.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are many ways to enhance the overall feeling of your venue. A holistic experience means that every detail counts, think about the music, the decor, and even the lighting of your restaurant,
Make Suggestions and Offer Specials
Tried and tested is always the best way to go. Don’t change up your menu every two weeks, however, you should incorporate some surprises for your customers to enjoy. For example, you can offer specials with any fresh produce that is available.
If your customer isn’t too sure about what they should order, it’s always great to have a member of staff make some suggestions. This is where having experienced employees comes in handy. Don’t try to upsell, instead, try to enhance the service your clients are receiving.
Create a Social Media Presence
In the 21st century, almost every business has a notable social media presence. Social media channels like Instagram and Facebook have been great tools to help restaurateurs connect with their customers.
You can also use this technique to build your brand and share your story. Use your social media to post pictures of the food and venue. This will help bring in potential clients and expand your current customer base. Nowadays, many young customers will always check out a restaurant’s social media to see what the food looks like before deciding on a place to eat.
At the end of the day, consistency is key. Unlike other businesses, a restaurant will never run itself. You must put in the hard work in order to uphold the best level of service possible. Dining at a restaurant is a complete experience; food, customer service, and ambience all come together to create the perfect night. So, make sure all the components are exceeding expectations.