Becoming a restaurant owner is full of its ups and downs. Namely, while hospitality businesses can be quite good at making money, it takes a while to get to the point where you don’t have to worry about green and red profit margins!

Because of that, it’s important to have a few things in mind about curating the perfect dining experience for any and all patrons that walk through your door. There’s a lot that can go wrong when you’re trying to serve food, and accounting for these issues from day one will prevent costly mistakes. 

And that’s where the tips below can help. Here are a few things to remember when you’re putting your restaurant together; the front of house matters just as much as the admin that goes on behind closed doors. 

Focus on Your Welcome

How are customers going to make their way into your restaurant? Make sure the door is very clearly lit and signposted, and that when they step through, someone is on the other side in a very obvious space ready to greet and seat them. 

Or if you don’t have a hosting system, make sure all customers are aware of what they need to do next in order to be served. If they have to find a menu by themself, make sure the menus are in easy reach. If they then have to go up to the bar to order food, make sure there’s a very easy-to-see sign that indicates this.

If you can make this information simple and work it into your overall restaurant decor, you’re going to be very popular with both new and repeat diners alike. 

Make Bill Paying Smooth

The moment when it’s time to pay the bill after eating in a restaurant can hold some confusion. Customers need to know when, where, and how their bill can be sorted – and you need to know it’s not easy enough for people to just dine and dash. 

Improve the experience all round and make this a smooth transaction, and the perfect end to what was a very good meal. Start by investing in the Best Restaurant and Bar Point of Sale you can find for your business and budget, and use the additional features of such a POS to keep your diners feeling relaxed and easy. 

Then, think about how you can allow your customers to tip your staff, and what extras your diners can get when the bill is brought over to them. Some restaurants leave mints on the tray, others ask if the customer wants to join a rewards program, whereas some simply leave a code to use next time to get money off of the bill. 

Train Your Staff

All good restaurant staff have been given customer service training in one form or another, but this is something to ensure when you hire them too. 

Don’t count on their past experience to see them through; make sure they’re aware of what you need and expect, and make it easy for your staff to meet these expectations on the job. 

Listen to Your Food Reviews

What do your diners have to say about the quality of your food? Make sure you know the opinions that are being put out on review websites, social media, and that people are taking home with them. 

Be sure to have your staff ask after the meal is over, or follow up with an email asking for feedback if the customer has consented for you to do so. Give diners more than way one to keep you in the loop and they will. 

Remember, when a restaurant has amazing food, people are going to enjoy dining there no matter what. Really, this element counts for more than a good atmosphere and amazing service combined! 

Create a Restaurant Your Diners Love

Restaurants can impress their diners from the moment they step foot inside when they make use of the tips above. Focus on your welcome, make sure the bill doesn’t become an awkward moment, ensure your staff are highly trained, and never forget to listen to your diners. 

What they say about the food – including how long it takes and how it tastes – should always inform your business strategy going forward. If you can operate with these rules in place, your restaurant has a very strong chance of seeing its first birthday and beyond. That’s something all restaurant owners aspire to, and it could very well be something you achieve!