Tis Amit asked:


Today maintaining a customer list in restaurant business has become very important. It is one of the golden keys to build a successful restaurant business in present scenario. Every single name added in customer list can make a big difference, as you can contact them easily and may provide seasonal offer. Ultimately like any other business, offering best and effective customer service matters a lot in restaurant business as well. Though you may be maintaining a good customer list but making the best use of customer list matters more and plays an important role.

Consider your current customer list as a vital formula that in turn can help you foster a good relationship with your customers. It may even help you generate substantial revenues over time. It is important to understand that once you have maintained your customer information within a customer database or list, marketing or approaching to them can be substantially less expensive and the likelihood they visit your restaurant may be considerably higher than someone who has never visited your restaurant before. However, the key component is to have a system in place that continues to foster and build a relationship with your customer once you have added or obtained them in your customer database/list. In other words, you need to make the best and most benefit from customer list. Here are few important strategies to use customer list that may help you attract more customers-

Communicate to your list– Once you create your customer list, it’s always good to communicate with them frequently about your new menu, promotions and activities. You must communicate that you greatly value their frequent visits and if there is anything that you may have inadvertently done to offend them, you must be ready to correct the problem. This small step can be very helpful to create your respect in customers’ mind. This small strategy can in turn help you grab new customers who are relation with your existing customers. However, you must communicate with your customers whenever you want either through emails or direct mailers, but don’t contact them too often or they will unsubscribe or might get irritate.



Send newsletter to your list-
Sending a regular newsletter can be yet another good strategy. By sending a regular newsletter is a good idea, you can conduct occasional survey that may help you understand the customer much better. Actually, there is nothing wrong with an occasional survey asking their opinion of your restaurant phrased in such a way that you are offering them a means of helping you to improve your service. It is very vital to know what your customers think about your restaurant. This strategy will make them feel good, and in return increase the chance of them becoming a permanent customer.

Offer seasonal discounts coupons to customer list- Offering discount coupons can at times act as a real bonus for your restaurant business. In a business like restaurant offering “Drink Specials” and “Low-Price Finger Food Buffets” is always a good idea. Besides this, you could also have Frequent Diner cards for listed customers so that after so many drinks they receive a free drink or a discount on their meal.

You may even offer discounts on customer special occasions like Birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Anniversary Party. Now when you offer discount to your selected or existing customers, it automatically generates a feeling of self-belongingness. Sometimes, it is important to let your listed customers know that you personally check back to ensure they have a pleasant experience.

Apart from all this, you may send customer appreciation cards. In recent times, studies have shown that such few efforts make your customer feel good, and they are more likely to use the card.  

If you want your customers to do something for you, you have to do something for them. Maintaining a customer list without using them properly is totally a failure. Every effort you make toward maintaining a relationship to an existing customer apart from preparing a customer list helps to keep customers happy. If a customer is happy and satisfied with your customer service, chances are they will be back to you again. If you don’t keep your customers active with you, they will slip away and no longer be regular customers. Ultimately it is important to make the best use of your customer list.