Tips for Turning Your Restaurant Customers Into "Regulars"

So you already have a killer menu, delicious food and an experienced staff. But as a restaurant owner, do you and your staff go the extra mile to ensure your customers always have an unforgettable experience every time they visit your establishment?  

Creating this memorable experience doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming or costly. In fact, many times a tasty meal is all a customer really wants. But there are plenty of places to get a good meal, thus lots of competition in the industry. So staying top of mind and keeping customers coming back is the key! The best merchant service providers will offer this type of "above and beyond" service to their clients, and it easily translates into the restaurant industry. Here are some tips for giving your customers a dining experience that will keep them coming back for more.

Be Attentive and Responsive

When you pay attention to your customers, you’ll learn a lot about them and their needs. And when that happens, you can respond appropriately and at the right time, almost like you’re reading their mind. When engaging in conversation with your customer, take mental notes. What favorite wine or appetizer do they always order? Do their kids need something to keep them occupied during their meal? Do they like their food on the spicy side? Just showing them that you remember something they said, no matter how trivial it may be, will make them feel important and valued. 

Be Personal and Deliver on Promises

Call your customer by their name and do your best to remember them. When you create a memorable experience, they will likely return and give you the opportunity to call them by name again without being reminded. You may have a special place you like to go eat where you feel remembered and special, so you can create that place for your customers as well.

Always Demonstrate Appreciation

Your customers will appreciate you for handling issues quickly, but you should actually demonstrate more appreciation for them. Tell them how much you appreciate their business, patience and interacting with them in general. It’s easy for a customer to sense how genuine you are, so when you say you appreciate them, actually mean it. One of the best ways to demonstrate appreciation is to go out of your way and do something unexpected for them - give them a little “lagniappe.” It might be surprising them with a glass of their favorite wine or giving them a free dessert on their birthday. Whatever it is, they will never forget it, and they will be singing your praises for years to come. 

Why These Factors Matter

Creating an unforgettable customer experience will increase loyalty and repeat customers. When you think about your payment processing services for your business, you may have run into glitches requiring some assistance. If the merchant service provider handles your inquiry quickly and effectively, you won’t hesitate to reach out to them again if you have another issue or questions. Customers are the same way with your restaurant. The better the experience you give them, the more loyalty you’ll create, and you’ll see your sales grow - not just from your existing customers, but also from new customers who caught wind of how well you treat customers! 

Precision Payment Systems prides themselves on being one of the best credit card payment processors for small businesses in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Our unparalleled customer service is one of our greatest strengths, and it has helped us grow exponentially year after year. To learn more about how you can create an unforgettable customer experience or to find out how our payment processing services can benefit you, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you.