The Importance Of Questionnaires

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When you have managed your restaurant for many years, you may have developed a certain way of doing things.  Your routine has always done well with regard to your business and you may not see the need to change anything.  Your restaurant may only be three-quarters full when you are open but your return is fairly good and you are satisfied.  You may also have noticed that your competition is getting more business than you lately.  How can you remain competitive if you don’t see any flaws in your business strategies?  One way of learning what others think is to use Direct Mail Marketing or Email Marketing to send out questionnaires.

Ask What Customers Think

These questions must be asked politely and concisely.  If sentences run on, the readers may misinterpret what you want to know or just lose interest altogether.  Thank your guests for their last visit to your restaurant and tell them how much you value their opinion.  Also let them know that you are asking these questions to serve them better and get their ideas of what they thought needed to be improved at their last visit.

• How was the service?
• Were tables, chairs, tablecloths and napkins clean?
• How was the food? (hot, tasty, enough, too much, just right)
• Should the menu be expanded?
• Was the dessert selection to your liking?
• Was the wine list adequate or just right?
• What about the ambience of the restaurant?
• Parking (convenient, was valet parking satisfactory, safe)
• Were restaurant hours convenient?
• How hard was it to get a reservation?

These are just some of the questions that could be asked.  If you would rather ask fewer questions, postcard marketing may be adequate but not necessarily as suitable unless cards are folded with a return tear-out section.  

Get Your Answers

Using email, you can get your answers quickly and without paying postage.  However, if you decide on direct mail marketing, be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the guests’ convenience.  You probably have your own ideas on how to improve business, but if you need more tips on how to spruce up your business, you can find them at http://guestcontact.com.