So, You Want the Champagne Life Huh?
The restaurant businesses is one of the toughest industries in which to survive…just ask any number of hundreds of failed restaurant owners.
The key to success of ANY business is to know your demographic, fill a need and provider stellar customer service and experiences.
Here is an example of what I mean:
Etiquette applies to every level of restaurant type and proper etiquette and enhance or kill a business. Here is a mini review:
* Make your guests feel like celebrities the moment they drive into the parking lot…greet them them moment they walk in the door (do you know who your “regulars” are? Do they get preferential seating/treatment?)
* What do they want/need? Is your staff trained to anticipate the guests needs? Do they address them as Mr., Dr., Madam, Sir…?”
* How familiar are your host/hostess/servers with the menu/specials/dietary cautions?
* Is the staff properly trained on how to LISTEN to your guests AND TO ONE ANOTHER?
* Do the servers know who to serve first at the table (hint: begin with women, men then children)? Do they know who is the table host or guest of honor?
* Serve, pour and refill drinks FROM THE RIGHT (PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW CONDENSATION TO DRIP INTO THE DINER’S FOOD/PLATE!)
* Serve and clear food form the diners LEFT…DO NOT INTERRUPT THE DINER’S CONVERSATION BUT IF YOU MUST…APOLOGIZE AND ASK IF YOU MY CLEAR/SERVE.
* Servers should understand the utensil position to know when to clear a plate and when the diner is “resting”. Servers should NEVER make the diner feel that “it is time to leave to accommodate the next diner”
* The diner’s comfort and extraordinary dining experience should be ultimate goal of the restaurateur and server.
* Don’t annoy diners by calling out the name of the entree to know to whom it should be delivered. Exemplify your class and develop a system so that you know to whom what entree goes to whom.
* Let the guests know that the check will be delivered when they are ready to receive it.
Do you REALLY want to know what your guests think about you? Leave a comment card with the bill with a note stating your sincerity in wanting to know what they think.
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