Restaurant Furniture Blog

Customer feedback is one of the most important pieces of information that any business can obtain, yet I rarely see anyone asking about their restaurant furniture. Customer feedback forms have been around for decades and there are many restaurants that use them to obtain this valuable feedback.

The problem with customer feedback forms is in the questions asked and the format of the answers. It is much easier to get feedback if you have short questions with tick box answers. However, this limits the amount of information you get back.

Often the questions themselves can be a problem. They often limit themselves to the service and quality of the food and if there is a question about the furniture, it is often generalized and asks about general comfort.

Using feedback forms is fine, if you can get your patrons to fill them out. The classier your restaurant, the less inclined you may feel about feedback forms. Instead, train your staff to gather feedback. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Whilst you don’t want your staff eavesdropping on every conversation, you do want them listening for any comments passed about the restaurant furniture, both good and bad.

They should also be watching to see how patrons interact with the furniture. Do they have trouble getting to and from their tables? Do they have problems adjusting their seats around the table? Whilst this information is minor, over time you will gain a picture of how comfortable your patrons are. At the end of the meal, there is no harm in asking a direct question relating to the furniture. If you have regular patrons and new furniture, they will feel important if you ask for their input.

Restaurant furniture is an important part of a dining experience. The most important people in your restaurant are those patrons using the furniture. It makes sense to obtain some form of feedback from those patrons. The last thing you want is for patrons to feel uncomfortable and to vote with their feet. You will be left with an empty restaurant and not know why - all because you didn’t let your patrons give feedback on your restaurant furniture.