If you work in a restaurant then you will understand how important customer service is. If you do not work hard to provide your customers with the perfect experience, then this will become apparent to them and they may also feel as though you don’t care about their happiness. This is the last thing that you need when you are working so hard to keep your business afloat.
Offer Something More
Look at your local competition, what are they missing in terms of their customer service? When you have found their missing link, work hard to make sure that your business goes above and beyond in that sector. For example, if your competition does not offer breadsticks to their customers when they first arrive, then instead, offer freshly baked petit pains at yours. You might also want to provide a free coffee or even some luxurious butter as well. By doing this, you will be raising the bar for your customers as well as your competition.
A Greeting is More Than “Hello”
It’s really not what you say, it’s how you say it. Body language can enhance your customer experience a lot, so it helps to find the right combination and then go with it. Don’t give them a rehearsed speech on the specials for the day. Instead, act as if they are the only customers who you have spoken to that day. Be friendly, open to conversation and smile. Your body language will say more than your words ever will, and you would be surprised at how much it can help you to come across as more professional.
The Customer is Always Right
The golden rule is “the customer is always right”. Sometimes this just isn’t correct. If your customer is being rude or if they are making inappropriate complaints, then it is your job as a manager to try and control the situation. Let them know that you think they are right, and make them feel as though they are being listened to. You can sit down and talk with your employees after to see how they feel about what happened, and then put the right measures in place to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
Admit to Mistakes
Sometimes a staff member will spill or even drop something on the table. They may even misinform a customer about the soup of the day. Mistakes happen, and if they do then you need to make sure that you don’t try and cover them up. Apologize and offer compensation so they feel as though they are being treated with integrity and respect.
Make it Easy to Pay
If your customers have to wait hours just to get the bill, then this won’t make your restaurant look very good at all. Having an efficient payment system is crucial, so look into merchant services or even have an electronic device that you can bring to your customers. This way, they won’t have to leave their table until they are ready, and they will be able to split the bill with ease.
