Running a restaurant is no easy task, especially when you’re competing for top honours like the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards. But no matter how great your dishes are, your success ultimately boils down to one thing – what your customers think.
Customer feedback isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential to ensure your daily specials hit the spot. This guide will show you how to use feedback to tweak your specials, boost customer satisfaction, and increase orders through your online food ordering system. It’s all about keeping your customers happy and your menu fresh!
1. Why You Need to Pay Attention to Customer Feedback
You might think you know your menu inside out, but at the end, your customers are the best judges of what’s working and what’s not. They’re the ones ordering the food, tasting it, and deciding if it’s worth coming back for more.
By listening to your customers, you can:
- Find out which dishes are crowd-pleasers
- Spot trends in what people are loving (or not)
- Fill gaps in your menu
- Get rid of dishes that aren’t doing well
Restaurants that pay attention to customer feedback are much better at adapting to changing tastes, and that’s how you stay ahead in a competitive market.
2. Easy Ways to Collect Feedback from Your Customers
Collecting feedback sounds like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of your online food ordering system and some simple tools, you can get the information you need to improve your daily specials.
Here’s how to get started:
- Online Reviews: Ask customers to leave a review on Google, TripAdvisor, or your social media pages.
- Quick Surveys: After customers place an order online, send them a short survey. Ask them specifically about your daily specials – did they enjoy them? Would they order them again?
- Social Media Polls: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram make it super easy to ask your followers what they think. Run polls to find out what dishes they’d like to see on the menu next.
- Loyalty Programmes: Offer a little incentive like a discount or a free side for customers who share their thoughts with you.
3. What to Do With All That Feedback
Getting feedback is just the first step. You need to examine what your customers are saying and figure out how to use that information to improve your menu.
Here’s a simple way to break it down:
- What’s Popular? Are there dishes that your customers keep raving about? These are the ones you want to feature more often. Consider making it a regular special if a certain curry is a big hit.
- What’s Not So Great? Take note of any dishes that aren’t getting good feedback. If people consistently don’t love something, it’s time to tweak it or remove it from the specials board altogether.
- What Are Customers Asking For? Maybe people are asking for more vegetarian or gluten-free options. Consider these requests and see if you can incorporate them into your specials.
When you use customer feedback to adjust your menu, you ensure that your daily specials remain exciting and relevant to what your customers actually want.
4. How to Use Feedback to Improve Your Specials
Now that you’ve gotten a good handle on the feedback, it’s time to make some changes. You don’t need to completely overhaul your menu—just tweak it based on what your customers are telling you.
- Seasonal Adjustments: Taste preferences often change with the seasons. Lighter dishes might be more popular in summer, while hearty meals are a hit in winter. Look for feedback trends throughout the year and adjust your specials accordingly.
- Cater to Local Tastes: If you’ve won awards, you know the importance of tailoring your dishes to local preferences. If customers love a particular spice or flavour, make sure your specials highlight those ingredients.
- Try New Ideas: Feedback is a great way to experiment. Try introducing a new dish as a special and see how it goes. If it’s a hit, consider adding it to the regular menu.
5. How to Promote Your Updated Specials
Once you’ve made changes to your specials based on feedback, don’t forget to tell your customers about it! Your online food ordering system can help you spread the word.
- Email Newsletters: Send regular emails to inform customers about your new specials and how you’re improving your menu based on their feedback.
- Push Notifications: Many online ordering systems allow you to send notifications directly to customers’ phones. Use this to promote your specials and encourage repeat orders.
- Social Media Posts: Share on social media how customer feedback is shaping your menu. It shows customers you’re listening and keeps them engaged with your brand.
6. What Industry Awards Teach Us About Feedback
Winning a top award like the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards doesn’t happen by chance. Restaurants that stand out from the crowd are the ones that constantly evolve and innovate, and that often starts with customer feedback.
By listening to your customers and making changes to your daily specials, you can position your restaurant as one of the best in the business. Whether you’re aiming for an award or just looking to keep customers coming back, feedback is your best tool for success.
7. Make Feedback Part of Your Routine
One mistake many restaurant owners make is thinking feedback is a one-off event. But customer preferences change all the time, and what worked last year might not work today. That’s why you must keep checking in with your customers and adjusting your specials regularly.
Make a habit of reviewing your daily specials and customer feedback. You’ll start to see patterns in what works and what doesn’t, and you can make sure your menu stays fresh and exciting.
Final Thoughts: Keep Listening, Keep Improving
Using customer feedback to refine your daily specials isn’t just about making people happy – it’s about making sure your restaurant stays relevant. By listening to your customers, you can make changes that keep them coming back, whether you’re chasing awards like the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards or just looking to grow your business.
Remember, your customers are your best resource. Keep the lines of communication open, and don’t be afraid to experiment. With their input, you can create a menu that’s always a step ahead of the competition.
