How to Create a Memorable Dine-out Experience
In a world where takeout is more popular — and more necessary — than ever, it’s not only a good idea but crucial to make your to-go experience as memorable and positive as possible. It’s tough to be in the restaurant industry right now and Louisville Label is here to help make it just a tiny bit easier.
Every aspect of your business influences your customers’ experience and it’s up to you to make sure that experience is a good one. Here are just a few ways we recommend enhancing your dine-out experiences this year.
Convenient Ordering Process
One of the best ways for you to create a memorable dine-out experience that will have your customers coming back over and over is to have a convenient ordering process. You want things to be as easy as possible for your customers, so an online menu is a necessity. Your menu should be clear and well put together. Use readable lettering in an effective layout, and be sure to include all of your contact information and ordering options.
If possible, provide different ways for your customers to place an order—in person, over the phone, online, in an app, and/or through a third-party— and offer options for both pick-up and delivery. With options for your customers to choose from, it is more likely they will place more orders in the future.
Make sure you update your social channels and Yelp to include the ordering options you offer.
Quality of Service
Doing less in-person business is no excuse to let your in-person service quality slide. Emotions are often at the root of our purchase decisions, including food. Keeping a positive association with your business is essential, even with more automation and self-service in the industry. Maintain a helpful and appreciative tone in person, on the phone, on your website, on social media, and with any other way you are communicating with your customer base.
If you’re taking orders over the phone, make sure you and your employees are using good phone etiquette. Being nice on the phone might seem like a given, but it actually takes solid training and scripting to communicate the best customer service experience. Trained staff should answer the phone and have a quiet place to talk.
Keep in mind, too, that you can display top-quality service through your carefully curated menu, too. You may need to pick certain items to include on your take out menu during the pandemic. If you do, make sure to focus on popular items that travel well.
Make it Extra Special
A great way to be remembered and encourage return customers is by adding something special to their take-out experiences. This can give your customers a moment to say, “Oh hey, that’s neat.” It’s a part of the quality of service, in a way, as you are increasing positive brand awareness. Here are just a few ideas of ways to make your takeout experience a little extra special:
- Specialty, fun menu items
- To-go cocktails and kits
- Freebies thrown in
- Acts of kindness—like taking donations for healthcare workers or having special delivery-free days.
The possibilities are only limited by your creativity — and your budget.
Top-notch Packaging and Labels
The first purpose of take-out packaging is to protect food in transit, but enhancing your customer’s experience visually is a close second. You want to invest in high-quality packaging that will prevent spills and messes, so your food arrives at the homes of your customers just as delicious as when you packaged it.
Visually, packaging and food labels are a great way to get creative and promote your business. Branded packaging, labels, or other ancillary items are all great ways to show your brand’s personality, increase awareness, and provide more contact information.
A lot of customers are looking for restaurant-quality experiences, even with takeout. This means solid presentations of their meals upon arrival, effective ways to keep their food fresh, ways to help the environment through sustainable packaging, and the safety of tamper-proof delivery. Those are all things you can achieve with takeout packaging and product labels.
How Louisville Label Can Help
At Louisville Label, we are dedicated to helping your restaurant succeed. We want you to have the best label options available, and we have all your to-go labeling needs covered. We can offer you labels to seal packages, logo labels for to-go packages, labels with an open area you can write in, and more.
For all your takeout packaging label needs, trust Louisville Label! Talk to a team member today.