Restaurateurs are more likely to stop their businesses failing during the credit crunch if they ‘go back to basics’ and concentrate on developing their unique selling points, experts have claimed.
The advice comes following the release of figures by PricewaterhouseCoopers showing that 141 restaurants went out of business in the UK in the last quarter of 2008.
According to Fiona Smith, managing director of training and marketing consultancy The F&B Partnership, restaurants can increase their chances of survival by following a few simple measures.
“Surviving the credit crunch is about going back to basics, understanding your USP and then delivering a great quality experience at competitive prices,” she said.
Smith, who will be sharing her advice at the Northern Restaurant & Bar Show 2009 next month, has come up with five key points for restaurants to heed:
- Develop or focus on your unique selling point
- Train your staff: staff who leave cost you nothing. Poorly trained staff may mean your customers leave and that will cost you a lot of money.
- Ensure your customers get the optimum drinking and dining experience every time
- Deliver great service and great value – and make sure this is an experience that cannot be replicated at home.
- If you have draught beer make sure your beer is kept to optimum quality. This sets the overall standard for all drinks and food within your outlet.
Stephen Broome, hospitality and leisure director at PwC, added: “Those who don’t know enough about themselves or the markets they serve will be inclined to take the path of least resistance, leading to defensive and piecemeal actions which will result in reduced service levels and disgruntled clients. Most damaging of all, these businesses risk losing out to their competitors.”
A Riding the Recession seminar by Hotel Marketing Association will take place on March 30 at the Northern Restaurant & Bar 2009 at Manchester Central.
For more information about the show`s highlights and to register to attend, visit www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk