Home | Looking for something? Sign In | New here? Sign Up | Log out

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Everyone Is Involved In Great Restaurant Customer Service

/ On : 12:04 AM

anu
By Jose L Riesco

Restaurant customer service is extremely important whether you're just starting out in the business or are a veteran. Success or failure hinges on the quality of service and starts when a customer physically walks into your establishment to the time that they leave.

You will find that if your restaurant customer service goes beyond the pale, word of mouth will help you to attract new customers and also see your existing customers return. The service will set the tone for your restaurant and what is to come, as don't forget that first impressions everything.

In a restaurant, it's the little things that count. Small touches, such as providing a complimentary drink for a special occasion, presenting a mint with the bill -- the small things leave a lasting impression. Servers should be smiling, friendly and striving to please. The owner or manager should open the door and greet each customer, chat with them during the service and, of course, thank them as they leave.

Some restaurant customer service tips that are often overlooked are answering the phone within two rings, providing diners with the servers name, establishing a rapport by asking customers open ended questions, inquiring about any food allergies and knowing area information for out-of-town guests.

There are a number of ideas that restaurants use to go that extra mile when it comes to customer service. Here are some creative ideas - how about giving a rose to female visitors, having extra layers of clothes on hand in case the guest is chilly, giving out popular menu requests on recipe cards, or giving a box of chocolates as a parting gift.

Creativity and initiative goes a long way when it comes to providing exceptional restaurant customer service. If a reservation has been made celebrating a special occasion, take initiative and supply disposable cameras and balloons. You could enhance an existing practice -- such as getting the entire staff to sign a birthday card, including a gift certificate and present this when you go with the tradition of presenting a cake.

Management must ensure that their staff is empowered to do what is needed to excel in restaurant customer service. This could be as simple as providing an umbrella should it be raining when the clients leave, or recommending an after dinner show or entertainment spectacular.

Great restaurant customer service starts at the back of the house and move to the front. The waitstaff and greeters can be the best at service, but if the presentation or attention to detail is not up to par, their efforts would be for nothing. All employees, regardless of whether they interact with the client, must be aware of how their performance impacts the overall experience. - 24553

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment

ads1 336x280

ads2 336x280