At Restaurants, The Food Has To Be Good, But Service Counts, Too

Consumers are nearly twice as likely to say that good service and a pleasant environment are part of the value equation at full service restaurants as they are to say that value means lots of food for a low price (85% vs. 44%), reports Technomic.

Numerous factors contribute to consumers’ evaluation of good service and pleasant environment. Before the meal, these include:

Timely seating (93%);

Staff having good knowledge of food and restaurant concept (91%);

Prompt greeting from server (90%);

Warm and inviting host/hostess (88%); and

Prompt greeting upon arrival at the restaurant (84%).

During the meal, diners focus on:

Pleasant and friendly service (94%);

Correct timing between courses (87%);

Server being respectful of conversations at the table (81%); and

Server checking to make sure diners are satisfied with their meals (80%).

In evaluating the overall experience, diners’ top conside-­rations include:

Feeling welcome, comfortable (93%);

Any problems being resolved quickly and quietly (93%);

Staff being responsive to specific requests (91%);

Check/payment process being handled in a timely manner (89%).

Most restaurant-goers would not return to an establishment that did not provide good service.  [Food/Beverages]

Source: “FSR Touchpoints,” Technomic, Darren Tristano, EVP Information Services, 300 S. Riverside Plz., #1940, Chicago, IL 60606; 312-506-3852; dtristano@technomic.com; www.technomic.com. Price: Call for information.

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