Group dining is a gathering entertained through a quality dining experience. As a business, you must consider it from a quality service perspective.
The Londoners love group dining for family gatherings, celebrations, corporate events, weddings, etc. Here, customers expect quality service, authentic food, suitable accommodation, etc.
Other crucial factors that matter are:
- Strategic Location
- Appropriate Menu
- Private Dining Facility
- Overall Cost
Are you planning to open a group dining restaurant in London? Our seven unmistakable tips can help you turn your ambition into a successful venture.
You can win a prestigious culinary award like the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, known as the ‘Oscar of the Curry Industry.’
Features of a Modern Group Dining Restaurant in London
Before getting into the tips, let’s put some light on the required features of today’s group dining restaurant in London:
- Unique Style and Design: It’s not about being out of the world but about giving your customers a unique experience through style and design. For example, a dazzling cherry blossom tree near the dining space!
- Designed for Specific Occasions: Your group dining restaurant must be flexible for different occasions. From simple birthday celebrations to weddings, a group dining place shouldn’t feel inadequate for such beautiful moments.
- Versatile Dishes: Modern group dining should offer a wide range of versatile cuisines, selected according to the target customers’ preferences.
- Thematic Private Dining Experience: Some state-of-the-art group dining restaurants apply thematic settings, such as retro, classic elegance, modern minimalism, etc.
- Adequate Space for Guests: If your restaurant doesn’t have enough space for large group seating, it may be difficult to truly cater to the needs of group dining customers.
The above are considered vital in not only upping the game for a group dining restaurant, but also a lifetime chance to win food industry awards like the ARTA, or as such.
7 Unmissable Tips to Open a Group Dining Restaurant in London
You know the standard features of a group dining restaurant. It’s time to apply the practical tips to make your business thrive. Check out the following seven tips:
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Apply Flexible Accommodation for Diverse Groups
A group dining restaurant requires flexibility, so apply moveable walls or partitions for flexible seating arrangements. Soundproof seating zones can also help your customers enjoy semi-private group dining.
Additionally, multi-functional spaces should be used, such as a particular area for coworking, team meetings, corporate dining, etc. Facilitating a space for remote workers can maximise the daytime. So, allow free Wi-Fi, stationery, trash bins, and complimentary tea or coffee for them to work and dine seamlessly.
Business Wise Benefits:
- Adds versatility to your restaurant
- Maximises dining experience even during off-peak hours
- Maximised use of daytime in your restaurant
- Opportunity to bring corporate groups
- Scope for generating more revenues
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Offer Storytelling and Interactive Dining
Storytelling is a new-age art that elevates a group dining experience to the next level. But can you add stories to your cuisine or interior without actually telling a story to the diners? Well, it’s all in the crafts.
From tableware or menus to wall paintings and live music, you can add a pinch of deep background to each element. Your menu can contain origins of certain spices or recipes, while live thematic music can tell who you guys are.
Moreover, keep space for interactive dining for the guests. For instance, allowing them to participate with chefs in cooking certain dishes can create an exceptional group dining experience.
Benefits for Business:
- Unique and shared experience for diners
- A chance for your restaurant to become the talk of the town
- Possibility of more bookings in future
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Customise Thematic or Occasional Menus
Going thematic can add diversity to your group dining restaurant in London. After all, people today seek something special that transcends the fragrance of food. That’s where thematic appearance fills the gap.
Once you’ve identified your target customers, choose a theme according to their tastes and desires. Try a setting like the Arabian Nights, Tea Parties, Great Gatsby, etc.
For authentic themes, take inspiration from classic elegance, modern minimalism, or cultural heritage. You can also organise occasional themes for customers to celebrate notable events.
Benefits for Business:
- Attracts foodies looking for exceptional experiences other than just foods
- Brings repeat customers through successful thematic events
- Adds to the positive social media or online reviews and ratings
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Add Personal Experience to Group Dining
Personalised experience in group dining can make the customers feel special. With a careful touch, you can use this strategy to not only enhance the group dining experience but also create long-term customer loyalty.
Add a personalised photo booth, so both customers and you can keep memories. Allowing music lovers to sing on stage can be thrilling. Besides, giving customers occasional takeaway gifts can leave a lasting impression on them about your restaurant.
Benefits for Business:
- Enhances group dining experience
- Turns a dining event into a memorable day
- Inspires customers to return again
- Spreads positive word of mouth among potential customers
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Leverage Tech-Based Group Booking Solution
In the age of online food ordering systems, booking, and reviews, you can’t keep technology out of the business. Hence, invest in a nicely functional website and mobile app for your customers to browse and make group dining reservations.
Facilities like customising seating arrangements, selecting dishes from the menu, sharing payment online payment, etc., can reduce your hassle upfront. AI-based suggestions on menu selection or seating arrangements should also be developed.
Business Wise Benefits:
- Group booking made seamless
- No hassle arranging large group dining
- Potential corporate events, meetings, etc., for a broader customer network
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Promote Group Dining Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs can always improve your restaurant’s service. They not only meet diverse customer needs but also encourage larger group visits.
Offer group dining loyalty programs, such as discounted prices, free venue rentals for repeat group dining, personalised services, etc. For better offers, always take note of customer feedback on online platforms or on the spot.
Business Wise Benefits:
- Chance to host bigger corporate events
- Chance to host social events like weddings, anniversaries, etc.
- Consistent business with increased revenue and goodwill
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Implement a Sustainable Group Dining Experience
Sustainability isn’t just an environmental slogan anymore; it’s a lifestyle. And it’s made its way into fine dining, too. Group dining often engages important professional or social gatherings, advocating sustainability in practice.
Hence, if you want your restaurant to contribute to this great cause, go green by using surplus ingredients for dishes, promoting waste-proof menus, keeping small recycle bins, implementing sustainable packaging, and so on.
Also, add vendors with no-plastic policies to your supplier’s list to contribute to nature.
Business Wise Benefits:
- A great social message to the diners
- Earns positive reputation for business
- A healthier business environment
Final Thoughts
Our seven tips for starting a group dining restaurant in London are practical, but there’s always scope for self-exploration. Narrow down your aim, target customers, the exact location, and, most importantly, what you want to satisfy your customers with.
Besides, estimate your budget closely by listing each requirement to set up your restaurant. Consult an expert if necessary.
