Using Buttons and Badges to Increase Customer Service and Business at a Restaurant
In this post, we'll go over how to make a restaurant more welcoming and fun for customers by implementing three easy ideas - buttons, badges, and donations. These simple solutions are inexpensive and will likely increase business.
What buttons do we need?
If you don't have many staff members to handle the front of house then it's best to be mindful of their time with tasks like taking orders. You can assign one person or staff member the task of greeting customers as they come in, making them feel welcomed with a smile and handshake as opposed to walking up to the counter staring at them impatiently or balancing multiple things at once (e.g., a tray full of dishes). Not only will this help the individual feel happier and more competent, but it will make the entire staff's customer service better as well. This is where I've seen customers respond best when they receive a nice "hello" and when they're greeted appropriately from behind the counter.
There are also other buttons you can add to improve customer service:
1) Give Tasty Food to Customers vs. Waste Food on Customers: You can't serve good food fast enough, so you should keep your food warm by warming up leftovers in hot water or baking them in the oven. This way you don't waste food and you end up giving good food to customers rather than serving cold, soggy food.
2) Fast Wifi is a Must: I don't go to a restaurant anymore if it doesn't have fast wifi. I want to be able to go online and check my email, read articles on my phone or tablet, talk with friends on Skype or another VoIP program, purchase products online, and even play games. If you can provide this for your customers then they will be thrilled. Most of the modern world lives via the internet and if you can afford it then I recommend buying a self-managed wifi device that can cover your entire store or section of the store. It's worth it for the customer satisfaction and extra business.
3) Offer to-go cups and plates: I don't mind eating at a restaurant and taking my leftovers home with me, but I also prefer to eat food as fresh as possible on site. If you can save enough time by offering to-go cups and plates then you will save your customer's time and leave a memorable impression on them. This can help with reviews too, because they remember remembering how nice something was when they were there.
4) Offer a More Convenient Menu: If you have time to butcher an animal then surely you can have time to make a new menu that is more convenient for your customers. Customers are used to ordering through apps or websites, but if you're in a hurry and still want to offer them the option to order at the counter then make things as simple as possible for them.
5) Cleanliness: If you can spend an extra few bucks on cleaning supplies and a vacuum then your restaurant will look much better and be more sanitary for your customers. This will lead to better reviews and more business as well.
6) Lots of Parking: You should make sure there is enough free parking for your customers. This can be accomplished by raising the price or simply having a police car patrol your parking lot to ensure that cars don't block in customers or create problems elsewhere. If you live in a neighborhood with little to no free parking then consider moving or purchasing more land somewhere else - being able to offer customers a safe and convenient place to park is something they'll remember long after they've left your restaurant.
7) Make it Quick and Simple to Check In: Customers want to be able to come in, see your name on the waiting room sign, and get seated in a very short time. Online check-in can simplify the process, but there isn't anything more satisfying than doing some customer service in person (e.g., if you have a lounge area where they can sit while they wait).
These are just some of the simple tips you can implement to make your customers happier and more likely to return. Badges are another way you can boost customer engagement and loyalty in your restaurant and we'll discuss that next time.
Posted by Adam Beach , Owner at: Adam Beach Consulting | Twitter | Facebook
Title: "The Advantages of Working for a Larger Restaurant Franchise"
As a chef with many years of experience, I can easily spot the signs that an employee is being taken advantage of. It's not uncommon to witness the following: overworked employees, the most basic training ever, no opportunities for advancement, constant micromanagement and low hourly wages. In this article we'll focus on how to spot these problems and how to prevent them but first let's get acquainted with what it means to work for a large restaurant franchise.
What is a Restaurant Franchise?
As defined by Wikipedia, a franchise is "a form of business organization in which an owner (called a franchisor) grants permission to another party (called a franchisee) to use its trade name, trademark and/or system in order to establish, maintain and expand its business." There are all kinds of franchises for different reasons. Some franchises are to sell products and others are services. In the case of restaurants it can be either or both.
For example, McDonald's had franchises that sold only the right to open and operate McDonald's restaurants but then they also had other franchise options that allowed people to purchase their food and even equipment as well. These chains could be called "McDonald's franchises" or "McDonald's systems".
In the case of Burger King, they had a franchise setup where operators sold their rights to open and run BK restaurants, but these restaurants also had a few sub-franchises that allowed operators to sell other products like shakes and drinks. Many other restaurant systems have similar arrangements. The main point is that there are different options available and the size of these options may vary with each brand.
The main drawback to working for a franchise in general is that it's often much harder for an employee to establish their own personal brand without the help of an established name. There are some exceptions to this rule, of course. For example, you can easily find a restaurant that allows employees to create their own brand but more often than not in corporate owned settings this just doesn't happen. In the case of McDonald's employees can open a business out of their own name and while it may not be as official they'll still have a name and will be allowed to do work under it.
To determine if a particular company is a good fit for you should get an idea of the pay structure and whether it offers opportunities for advancement, training or growth. Also, if there is any type of future growth opportunity but I would stay away from franchises that limit employee growth right off the bat.
Conclusion
If you're looking for an easy way to get started working for a larger restaurant franchise then I would highly recommend getting a job at McDonald's. You don't need any previous experience and you'll have access to a lot of valuable training but this can also be a drawback since you will have less freedom.
However, if your goal is to make your own name then working in a small restaurant or even starting your own business might be the best course of action. Becoming part of the crew at "Whose Line is it Anyway?" is probably the worst way, unless you just want to work there and don't care about future prospects.