As humans, we tend to notice the little things and remember them. We’re insightful and like to observe. This is why creating a high-quality and comfortable dining experience for guests is incredibly important. An important part of creating that ambience involves your staff and the ways in which they interact not only with guests but with other employees as well. Here are some tips on how to improve the quality of your restaurant:

1. Tableplacing

The way guests’ tables are set gives the first impression on how their dining experience is about to go. When choosing cutlery it’s important to choose the right fit for your restaurant. Thin, dainty knives and forks show a sense of high-class fine dining whereas something more unsophisticated gives off more of a casual eating experience. The same goes for a drinking glass.

All cutlery should be laid out prior to the arrival of customers. If not it represents a disorganised work environment. One of the most common mistakes made when it comes to table setting is the usage of paper napkins. If you’re a fast-food restaurant, no problem. On the other hand, increasing the quality of the dining experience at your restaurant requires a far more sophisticated layout. This includes the usage of cloth napkins. You want something that’s aesthetically pleasing and “Instagram worthy” that photographs well for social media.

2. Staff training

Properly training your employees plays an important role in the overall customer experience at your restaurant. As the restaurant owner, you should be updated on the work environment between employees to ensure a smooth-running restaurant. Having a hostess raises the bar immediately as customers are assisted right away.

Waiters should always start by greeting guests followed by an introduction. Little things, such as offering still or sparkling water, make a massive difference in the quality of service. Offering alcoholic beverages as well as dessert is not only polite, but also encourages guests to order another item off the menu.

3. Staff uniform

Have coordinated and matching uniforms for staff (this includes all staff, even the staff, customers can’t see), something classy and simple that requires servers to be presentable and well-groomed. This reflects the idea that your restaurant is neat and precise, which it should be.

4. Sanitary conditions

All staff should follow a strict sanitary regime which spreads the least amount of bacteria throughout the work area. As a restaurant owner, you can support this by performing sanitary inspections. It is important that staff are informed on how to handle ingredients without the risk of harmful contamination. This will ensure a higher quality of food and staff with a proper work ethic.