3) Plan for the whole experience
Just as beautiful, Instagrammable food or a colorful, splashy drink can garner a lot of attention, every part of the dining experience is an opportunity for a pro or a con in the guest’s mind, and it in turn can be picked apart on social media.
For example, the table itself may be just as important as the food and drinks served on it. A survey conducted by YouGov in partnership with FLAT Tech found that 56% of customers would consider not returning to a restaurant if a wobbly table spoiled their experience. And that can be confirmed in just a few seconds on Twitter: A quick search for the phrase “wobbly table” shows just how common the conversation of table neglect is becoming. While wobble tables are a common problem in restaurants, the phenomenon is just as important to prevent in noncommercial foodservice.
Beyond the off-kilter surface that can cause drink spills and more, the ways a foodservice establishment can attempt to fix a wobbly table can also lead to reputation issues. Take, for instance, using a napkin or a few sugar packets hastily stuffed under a table leg. Appearance is everything, from the plate to the floor, and this approach can look sloppy. Customers can see that and, despite every other aspect of their service being great, fixate on how it looks to have what may look like garbage or debris holding up their table. That’s not a good look. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix.