6/1/13
The most important factors when selecting restaurants to visit are cleanliness (96%), menu selection and variety (94%), and comfortable seating (91%), according to Mintel.
Diners also cite not feeling rushed (92%), coupons or special pricing (68%), and good food (68%) as important deciding factors.
The biggest deterrents are unclean tables and settings (76%), rude servers (74%), and unclean bathrooms (57%).
There are some differences based on age and ethnicity. Hispanic diners are more likely than others to find décor (70% vs. 65%), dress code (54% vs. 44%), music (50% vs. 39%), and children’s activities (40% vs. 24%) as important. Meanwhile, younger diners ages 18-24 are more likely than older diners to think the type of music played in the restaurant is important (52% vs. 40%). Those over age 65 are more likely than younger diners to feel noise level is an important concern (93% vs. 82%).
SOURCE: Mintel, Julia Gallo-Torres, Foodservice Manager, 351 W. Hubbard St., 8th Fl., Chicago, IL 60610; 312-932-0400; www.mintel.com.
© 2013 Business Valuation Resources, LLC (BVR). May not be reproduced without written consent of publisher.