What Determines the Success of a Restaurant

There are so many different factors that determine the success of any restaurants. I believe that one of the most important things is the menu whose offerings are delicious and properly served. Since the menu represents the restaurant’s theme or concept, it determines the restaurant’s image which is very important for the customers to make decisions whether to spend their money there or not. Menus and recipes are planned to support the marketing program and to promote optimum sales in terms of both food and beverages. Menus featured should be of top quality and should also conform the owner's criteria of ease of preparation. But the menu items must be offered at prices customers believe provide them value and yet are still high enough to yield a reasonable profit. The menu should be designed to meet the client's food and labor cost criteria.

As mentioned above, theme or concept should also be considered to make a restaurant successful. With a new restaurant, it is its theme or concept that is the cornerstone from which all other elements flow. And for maximum success it must be an intimate and consuming part of the owner's vision. But an existing restaurant already has created a conceptual theme or image in the minds of its patrons. Therefore, changes and additions to menu items must be made in a manner that will enhance the existing impression while adding a new, positive dimension.

Each restaurant has its own unique set of circumstances, which together create a service and financial environment that determines its success. Aside from the menu and prices, I believe that service design is also important to make a restaurant successful. This involves both the food preparation staff and front-end service. The staff should be knowledgeable about the menus they are serving and they, especially the front-end staffs, should be friendly and accommodating to customers. The quality of people hired also determines the restaurant’s success. They should be well-trained to prepare and serve the recipes, and are able to adjust them based on customer feedback.

All the factors mentioned above are very important and should be considered. But, another factor that I have in mind is the environment. The restaurant should be a place that will make customers feel good and comfortable. It has to do with understanding the customer’s feelings. There should be connection with the people who patronize the business. With this, special occasions and unforgettable moments can be made here which will make more loyal customers. I am thinking of special events like marriage proposal or a date that will make couples feel at ease and closer because of the ambiance. Connection between the customers and the place is one key to a successful restaurant.

There are many successful restaurants and their successes are not just based on one factor only. I believe that the factors mentioned above should be combined in order to be successful in this kind of business.