One of the best parts of working in the restaurant business is that every night is a different experience. The chances that you will ever have the exact same group of people in your establishment on two separate evenings is low enough to consider impossible. Because of this, you might be tempted not to think much about the people who walk into your establishment on a regular basis, but that would be a huge mistake because each and every one of those customers has the potential to be a regular customer. This is important to note because all of those regular customers are key to the success of your restaurant even if you do not know it now.
Although your business can’t stand alone on the patronage of your regular customers, just knowing that you have certain people that will come eat on a regular basis lets you know that you have some income that you can depend on. Again, it will not be enough to keep your entire company afloat, but it will make sure that you have some dependable income. Make sure that your regular customers know that you are aware that they are there on a regular basis, and give them the respect and kind treatment that they deserve so that they have a reason to keep coming back. When you make that connection, it will go a long way.
If you love to go out to a restaurant, then chances are that you will tell other people about it. The same is true for your regular customers. As they talk about your establishment, you will be getting some of the best free advertising that you could possibly hope for. If you know that your regular customers are talking about your business and inviting others to check your place out, then ask them to have them talk to you in particular so that you can build some new positive relationships and grow that regular customer base even more. Making those new connections will only make your company that much stronger.
if you are looking to learn how to improve your business, you should talk with the people that are there on a regular basis rather than trying to get feedback from someone that has only been there once or twice. Your regular customers will be the ones who will be honest with you about how your new waitress is managing or what they really thought about the mashed potatoes that the kitchen sent them to go with their steak. Regular customers have certain expectations about service and the menu that they will usually be open and honest about.
If you do not know if you have regular customers, then you need to take some time to examine your business closer because without a regular customer base, you are missing out on some of the most important people your restaurant will ever serve. Remember that repeat customers are the ones that are going to give you the best feedback as well as free advertising to keep your company in the red on a regular basis. Be aware of who visits to eat at your establishment and make sure that you are making connections with people who come back another time so that they know how much you appreciate them. They might just appreciate you back.
