A recent survey from HGEM has revealed the way diners judge a restaurant before and during their visit. A panel of mystery guests were asked about their latest dining experiences and the results provide some valuable insights for restauranteurs.
First Impressions Matter
75% of guests paid attention to the interior and design of the restaurant when they first entered and 72% said the atmosphere and ambience was important to them. This illustrates how important it is to ensure the décor and vibe of your restaurant is inviting to customers as soon as they enter it.
86% of customers said they always expect to be greeted on arrival and 83% expect to be shown to their seat. Some respondents even said they have left a restaurant after not being greeted quickly enough!
See our guide to making the right first impression in your restaurant for some top tips on this.
The top 10 important factors
HGEM asked what the 10 most important factors were when it comes to the restaurant experience, and consumers answered:
1. Quality of food
2. Overall customer service
3. The price of food
4. The cleanliness of the venue
5. The atmosphere and ambience of the venue
6. The range of food
7. The presentation of food
8. The speed of service
9. The price of drinks
10. The authenticity of the food
Unsurprisingly, food plays a key part in this top 10 list! However you may be surprised to see ambience and cleanliness rank as such important factors.
Cleanliness is crucial when it comes to any food environment, so ensuring your restaurant is cleaned before any customers arrive, and during the service period, is a given but it is also worth checking the state of your furniture, fixtures and even walls on a regular basis. We’ve got handy guides to keeping hospitality furniture clean as well as maintaining furniture so it can always look its best.
When it comes to ambience, great lighting, beautiful décor and high-quality furniture can transform your restaurant. Visit our blog for guides on decorating your restaurant space, or get in touch with Trent Furniture if you have questions about the best restaurant furniture for your space.