When one decides to go out to dinner good tasting, quality food is only part of the experience. Potential customers' start by searching online for nearby restaurants. This is their first glimpse of your business. Having a website that is visually pleasing with intuitive navigation, an accessible menu and contact information can ensure this is where the positive experience begins. The moment a customer calls to make a reservation or walks through the doors, your staff begins to shape the experience.

Having well-trained employees to properly and promptly answer the phone, take a reservation or answer questions is important. Making eye contact with a sincere greeting can go a long way. Taking the time to learn your regular customers' names and food preferences makes them feel at home and can help you to make suggestions for a meal or drink they might enjoy. It also shows you care enough to connect with the people who choose to spend their time and money in your establishment.

Knowledgeable staff can improve your customers’ overall experience as well as boost sales. Providing servers with regular training on how dishes are prepared enables them to provide informed suggestions and substitutions for dietary needs and food allergies. Regular training by your top bartender on cocktails, the wine list, and beers can provide the skills to suggest an appropriate drink pairing with a meal. Enlisting the expertise of your vendors to train servers on their specific line of alcohols can boost the knowledge needed to sell your high-end spirits.

The right technology will aid in operational efficiency. A good point of sale system improves order accuracy and communication between front of the house staff and the kitchen, which is a key element in improving your customers' dining experience, as well as the functionality and speed of your staff. It also can manage your inventory in real time, enabling staff to see menu eliminations as you run out makes for a seamless dining experience without the need for late substitutions and ensures everyone at the table eats at the same time.

Some customers are looking for a quick meal, others may want to linger and socialize. Customers' should never feel rushed. They are paying for a service and experience; it is up to staff to help each customer enjoy the time they spend from beginning to end. You want your customers talking about their pleasant experience, creating repeat customers and word of mouth promoters. You can show them you care what they think by asking for feedback with comment cards, or even better, inviting them to review you on Google.

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