A few years ago, there was an American Express ad where celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito unleashed a scary statistic for anyone interested in running a good restaurant: 90 percent of all eateries fail within their first year. The good news is that there’s no evidence that figure is true. The bad news is that the actual numbers aren’t much more encouraging. Only 20 percent of all restaurants make it past the five-year mark. There are some major factors that can make or break a restaurant – food quality, management, location – but there are also some smaller steps you can take to help ensure your success.

Tablecloths

It’s one of the first things customers will notice, a symbol that says “This is who we are.” Consider factors such as thread count, material and size, as well as the type of restaurant you have. For example, a fine dining establishment would need a more elegant tablecloth.

Tableware

Of all the details that go into running a good restaurant, this is one of the most important. People care about the type of silverware you set before them. Strange as it might sound, researchers at the University of Oxford found that diners have a psychological response to their utensils. Factors like the material and color can influence how food tastes or feels in our mouths. Don’t treat your tableware as an afterthought.

Music and Lighting

The lighting and music you choose will depend on how much space you have, your décor and the atmosphere you hope to create. It will help make the atmosphere more energetic and inviting.

Menu Design

Your menu has a lot of work to do: it needs to reflect your restaurant’s character, aligning with your establishment’s theme. It also needs to be easy to read, and to give diners enough information about your food for them to make an informed decision.

Checking In

There needs to be an efficient system of welcoming and checking in diners. Eighty percent of customers will look elsewhere if they have to deal with a long line at your establishment. Consider investing in a digital queuing system to help reduce wait times, and make sure diners have a comfortable place to sit while they wait.

Space/Seating

They layout will depend on the size of your kitchen, customer seating, and the mobility needs of both staff and diners. You should consider investing in tables of all different sizes, as you’ll get different-sized groups of diners.

Customer Service

Aside from the food and the atmosphere, one of the key things customers will notice is how your staff treats them. Anyone interested in running a good restaurant has staff that is trained to be courteous and helpful, from the time guests walk in to the moment they walk out.

Checking Out

Guests don’t want to be kept waiting when they arrive at your restaurant, nor do they want to be slowed down when it’s time to leave. That’s why it’s important to invest in a reliable POS system to make checking out hassle-free.

InnStyle Can Help Your Restaurant Business

If you’re getting started in the restaurant business, InnStyle can help. For 65 years, InnStyle has been offering tablecloths, napkins and placemats, allowing new and veteran restauranteurs to give their customers the best dining experience possible. InnStyle has written a blog about common tablecloth questions and answers. Please give InnStyle a call and speak with one of their account managers about any hospitality questions you may have. InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020. Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.