It goes without saying that good service is at the top of most customers’ list when it comes to what they want out of their dining experience. Whether you run a café or restaurant your customers expect good service, and you better believe that if they don’t get it, they’ll tell everyone they know to avoid your place like the plague. But what else do customers really want out of their dining experience? While the answer may seem hard to nail down (the list of what customers want could be endless), here are four things that are sure to get your customers returning again and again.
Breakfast all day, every day
There’s no denying that everyday breakfast has become the trend that never went away. People love being able to order breakfast at any time of the day, whether a full English breakfast or a hash brown and juice on the go. If you’re wanting to get in on the all-day breakfast train, there is no reason your menu offering can’t be limited. For customers wanting something simple, super thick raisin bread will have them feeling nice and cosy, while avocado on toast continues to go strong with customers, and by using super thick white bread you can make it a really filling dish.
For the sweet-tooths out there (of which there are many), golden pancakes provide a good starting point, then you can get creative with your toppings, including seasonal fruits, a syrup dressing and something with a bit of crunch for texture.
Menu flexibility
Dietary restrictions such as gluten free, dairy free, fat free, vegan and paleo are a common occurrence these days, and if you don’t cater for them by allowing for substitutions or alternative options then you’ll find your customers going somewhere that does.
Customers will feel like they’ve received good service if you show you are more than happy to cater to their needs. Catering for customers that find it difficult to eat out due to dietary restrictions, will put you miles ahead of the competition, and will ensure they keep coming back to you again and again.
Stylish décor
When they walk through your doors, customers want to feel comfortable within their environment. Having stylish décor can have a big impact on the vibe of your café or restaurant, as good ambiance can make for a more enjoyable overall experience for customers. Now this could be in the form of a cosy café, or a themed restaurant, but by setting the scene and making your place inviting to customers they’ll be more inclined to linger and are more likely to want to come back.
Reward your loyal customers
People love getting free stuff, there’s just no two ways about it. Setting up some kind of rewards system (whether it be a free beverage after every 10 purchases or 10% off if you spend over a certain amount) can be good for business as, customers (especially regulars) really enjoy getting a little something back. Of course, you need to make sure your food and service is top quality, because no amount of free stuff will make up for food.
While there are always new trends within the foodservice industry, what customers want is not something that really changes. They want good food, good service and to have a good time at your venue! If you want some inspiration on how to implement some of these ideas in your venue, speak to one of the Tip Top Foodservice team members.
