1. Get Personal
To build customer loyalty for your restaurant, diners want to feel that you care about them. One strategy to do this is to put in place a system to ensure new dinners feel welcome and returning guests are recognised. This kind of attention makes diners feel special and increases the likelihood that they will return.
One tip when greeting new patrons is to share your name with them straight away. Ensure all your staff are trained to do the same. People feel a greater sense of connection when they know each others name. It also shows diners that you're prepared to be accountable. This small step can be the first step in building a loyal customer for your restaurant.
For returning customers it is important you and your staff remember names. If you have a system in place to remember when and what they last ate at your restaurant you are able to offer a more personalised service which they will appreciate. For example "Welcome back Jane and Jim, I remember last month when you ate with us you particularly enjoyed our seafood dish, well we've since updated our menu and I'm really keen for you to try out our new seafood pasta!"
One tip when greeting new patrons is to share your name with them straight away. Ensure all your staff are trained to do the same. People feel a greater sense of connection when they know each others name. It also shows diners that you're prepared to be accountable. This small step can be the first step in building a loyal customer for your restaurant.
For returning customers it is important you and your staff remember names. If you have a system in place to remember when and what they last ate at your restaurant you are able to offer a more personalised service which they will appreciate. For example "Welcome back Jane and Jim, I remember last month when you ate with us you particularly enjoyed our seafood dish, well we've since updated our menu and I'm really keen for you to try out our new seafood pasta!"
2. Pay Extra Attention
To build extra loyalty for your restaurant from returning diners ensure you give them the VIP treatment. Don't punish loyal guests by making them wait outside for a table. Seat them straight away. Loyal customers will then know that eating at your establishment will be hassle free when compared with your competitors.
Seating returning customers straight away isn't the only way you can show you value their loyalty. How about sending out the chef to chat to loyal patrons. Wouldn't that make diners feel special? Especially if it was reserved for only loyal customers. Sending personalised, handwritten, birthday, anniversary or holiday cards are another option. These small gestures can be the perfect touch to show how much loyal customers are worth to your business.
Seating returning customers straight away isn't the only way you can show you value their loyalty. How about sending out the chef to chat to loyal patrons. Wouldn't that make diners feel special? Especially if it was reserved for only loyal customers. Sending personalised, handwritten, birthday, anniversary or holiday cards are another option. These small gestures can be the perfect touch to show how much loyal customers are worth to your business.
3. Get Feedback
You can build customer loyalty for your restaurant by paying attention to customer feedback. Consider these tips to ensure your getting the feedback you need to consistently improve your business.
- Ask new customers why they have chosen you
- Ask existing customer what you do well and what can be improved.
- Review and respond to reviews left by diners online
- Encourage and make it easy for diners to provide feedback
4. Stay Connected
It is important to remain in contact with customers to promote the fact that you care about their patronage. You could choose a number of methods by which to do this:
Set up the mechanisms to reach out to existing diners and dedicate the time to maintain a database with which to contact them. This is especially the case on social media. If you're going to have a presence on social media platforms, ensure that when people visit they are greeted with up to date information.
- Phone
- Email newsletter
- Social media
Set up the mechanisms to reach out to existing diners and dedicate the time to maintain a database with which to contact them. This is especially the case on social media. If you're going to have a presence on social media platforms, ensure that when people visit they are greeted with up to date information.
5. Use Technology
What should be clear from these tips is that technology should play a central component in building customer loyalty. Technology can help make your processes more efficient.
A POS system like ViViPOS can help maintain a customer loyalty program. This will help you record, organise and plan your contact with existing customers.
A POS system like ViViPOS can help maintain a customer loyalty program. This will help you record, organise and plan your contact with existing customers.
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