The restaurant business is notoriously cutthroat, and you have to innovate if you want to stay ahead of the competition. But there are so many good restaurants out there, each one with its distinct vision of the dining experience. You must be wondering: What separates the great restaurants from the good ones? Is it the menu? The location? The theme?
Even if you check the diner franchise’s books line by line, you still won’t gain a full understanding of what sets the establishment apart. If you want to know how a restaurant works, you need to experience it. Running a restaurant is like a performance, and each aspect plays an important role.
1. Hire good people
If you want a successful restaurant, then you need to hire the best people. You, along with your staff, will set the mood and culture of your business, one that will trickle down to the customers. Treat your people the way you want them to treat your valued diners. Respect, hard work, and good values come must come from the top.
You also need to cultivate loyalty and discipline among the ranks. Some rules and standards help make a restaurant a better place for everyone, and you need to lead by example if you want your people to follow them. Always be consistent and fair and give rewards and credit where necessary.
2. Design the experience
The dining experience begins the moment the customer pulls into the parking lot. From there, you must design a seamless and consistent experience at every step of the process.
Nothing stone should be left unturned. You need to formulate a vision of what the dining experience should be like, from the valet service, seating, employee interaction, the food and beverages, the payment, and everything in between.
3. Be genuine
Excellent service should always feel genuine. If your goal is to make your diners happy, then it should show in the service you provide. There might be times that some areas of the dining experience might fall short, and that’s perfectly fine.
Focus not on the problem but the solution. Always acknowledge fault and rectify the problem right away. The dining experience should always end on a positive note, and that means the guest must feel like their grievances are being heard.
4. Know who you are
A restaurant without a clear sense of its identity is doomed to fail. If you don’t know what it is, how can you expect your customers to understand your vision of the dining experience? Diners should get a clear sense of what your restaurant aims to achieve through its branding, menu, service, decor, and other intangible factors.
It’s not enough to have an identity, however. You also must offer something new and unique. Diners tire easily, and if your town already has three restaurants with the same concept, they’re less likely to try your version because they know they’ve seen it before.
Keep these things in mind when starting a food business, and your competitors won’t see you coming. If you have a good menu, the right set of people, a clear identity, and the zest for excellent service, you’ve already laid the foundation for a successful restaurant.
