We all know the importance of customer reviews for your restaurant. But how about actually going a step further to find out first hand your client preferences. This could help you with making changes to your offerings, pricing and such. The best way of doing this is through the collection of customer feedback via surveys.
But what exactly should you ask? This article provides an example of 10 key questions to include in your restaurant survey. By developing the correct questions to ask, you can improve your restaurant’s operations and provide your guests a better dining experience.
1. Overall satisfaction
Start your survey by asking patrons about their overall satisfaction with their dining experience. This provides a general idea of their level of satisfaction and serves as a benchmark for further questions. Include a rating scale or multiple-choice options to make it easier for customers to respond.
Question:
On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your overall satisfaction with your dining experience at [Restaurant Name]?
1
Very Dissatisfied
2
Dissatisfied
3
Neutral
4
Satisfied
5
Very Satisfied
2. Food quality
Query customers regarding the quality of food they consumed. Ask them about flavour, presentation, portion size and any particular dishes they really liked. This question helps you understand the positives and negatives of your menu and identify areas for improvement
Question:
How would you rate the quality of the food you consumed at [Restaurant Name]? Please consider the following aspects:
a) Flavour:
Poor
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Excellent
b) Presentation:
Poor
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Excellent
c) Portion size:
Too small
Slightly small
Adequate
Generous
Too generous
d) Specific dishes:
Were there any particular dishes that stood out to you or that you really enjoyed? Please list them below.
Write your comment here.
3. Service experience
Asking clients about the staff’s friendliness and professionalism, the timeliness of the service, and their general engagement with the service team will help you evaluate the customer service experience. This question enables you to spot any customer care problems and make the required corrections to improve the overall experience.
Question:
How would you rate your overall customer service experience at [Restaurant Name]? Please consider the following aspects:
a) Friendliness of Staff:
Very unfriendly
Unfriendly
Neutral
Friendly
Very friendly
b) Professionalism of Staff:
Very unprofessional
Unprofessional
Neutral
Professional
Very professional
c) Timeliness of Service:
Very slow
Slow
Adequate
Fast
Very fast
4. Cleanliness and ambiance
Ask about the restaurant’s cleanliness and atmosphere in general. Customers’ opinions of the atmosphere and cleanliness have a big impact on how they feel when they eat. Use this feedback to ensure a clean and welcoming environment for your guests.
Question:
On a scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate the cleanliness and overall atmosphere of [Restaurant Name]? 1 being unpleasant/dirty and 5 being Very pleasant and clean
Write your comment here.
5. Value for Money
Ask clients if they think the costs were reasonable in relation to the quality and quantity of the food. This question will enable you to determine whether your price satisfies client expectations and whether any adjustments are required.
Question:
Do you believe the costs of the food at [Restaurant Name] were reasonable in relation to the quality and quantity provided? Please consider the following:
a) Value for Money
Very poor
Poor
Neutral
Good
Excellent
6. Variety and specials on the menu
Ask about the variety of choices on the menu and the availability of specials. Customers value having a variety of options and learning about any special or seasonal deals. Use their suggestions to improve your menu and roll out new specials that suit their tastes.
Question:
How would you rate the variety of choices on the menu at [Restaurant Name]? Additionally, did you find the availability of specials to be satisfactory? Please consider the following:
a) Variety of Menu Choices:
Very Limited
Limited
Adequate
Extensive
Very Extensive
b) Availability of Specials:
Not Available
Rarely Available
Occassionally Available
Frequently Available
Always Available
c) Additional Comments:
If you have any specific feedback on the variety of menu choices or suggestions regarding specials, please share them below.
Write your comment here.
7. Dietary requirements
Consider asking customers about their satisfaction with the restaurant’s ability to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences. This question helps you assess your ability to cater to a wide range of dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-free options.
Question:
How satisfied were you with [Restaurant Name]’s ability to accommodate your dietary restrictions or preferences? Please consider the following:
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Did the restaurant staff provide helpful and clear information about menu options that met your requirements?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
8. Beverage selection
Analyse how satisfied clients are with your choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Ask about the selection, standard, and presentation of your beverage selections. Using this feedback, you can create a beverage menu that goes well with your food selections and appeals to your target market.
Question:
How satisfied are you with [Restaurant Name]’s selection of beverages, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options? Please consider the following aspects:
a) Variety of Selection:
Very Limited
Limited
Adequate
Extensive
Very Extensive
b) Standard of Beverages:
Poor
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Excellent
c) Presentation of Beverages:
Poor
Below Average
Average
Above Average
Excellent
d) If you consumed alcoholic beverages: Did you find the quality and selection of alcoholic beverages satisfactory?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable (Did not consume alcoholic beverages)
9. Feedback on particular initiatives
If you recently introduced any new initiatives, such as sustainability practices, community involvement, or technology integration, ask customers for their feedback on these specific initiatives. This helps you gauge the effectiveness of these initiatives and make necessary adjustments based on customer response.
10. Advice for improvement
Finally, give customers the opportunity to provide suggestions for improvement. This open-ended question allows customers to share their thoughts on areas where you can enhance their experience, introduce new offerings, or address any specific concerns they may have.
Conclusion
The success of your restaurant depends on getting insightful feedback. You may learn a lot about many facets of your restaurant business by including these 10 crucial questions in your survey.
Keep in mind that the survey should be brief, simple, and straightforward to complete. Analyse the comments made and take appropriate action to resolve any areas that require improvement. Accept consumer feedback as a valuable instrument for development and ongoing improvement.
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Hanna Yerega is a freelance copywriter and a powerhouse on social media, where she combines her knack for compelling writing with a masterful grasp of digital platforms. Known for her exceptional organisation skills, she handles multiple projects with unparalleled precision. Hanna is deeply passionate about not-for-profit initiatives, using her talents to amplify their messages and drive meaningful engagement.
