Adapting to the 2023 Diner: Digital Insights for the Modern Restaurant Industry
Transformative Strategies and Insider Insights
In an increasingly digital world, the restaurant industry is no exception to the trends and changes brought about by technological advancements. The BentoBox 2023 Diner Journey Report, which surveyed 2,000 U.S. diners, unveils a trove of insights that can guide restaurant owners and industry professionals in understanding and adapting to shifting customer behaviors and preferences.
Digital Presence: A Key Ingredient in the Recipe for Success
According to the report, an overwhelming 86% of diners use online resources to find new restaurants. In the digital age, a restaurant's online presence is akin to its storefront. As such, restaurants should focus on strengthening their online visibility, ensuring their website is not only visually appealing but also informative and easy to navigate.
Customer Reviews and Ratings: The Online Word-of-Mouth
In terms of online reviews, Google Maps leads the pack, with 40% of diners turning to the platform for restaurant insights. Online reviews have become the digital word-of-mouth, influencing the dining choices of consumers. To capitalize on this trend, restaurants need to prioritize managing and improving their online reputation.
Third-Party Reservation Platforms: Falling by the Wayside
Interestingly, the report found that third-party reservation platforms are becoming less essential in diner discovery, compared to food delivery platforms and review sites. A total of 46% of diners never use these platforms to find new restaurants, a statistic that emphasizes the importance of focusing on alternate platforms that diners frequent more often.
Website Design and Content: The Details Matter
According to the report, the type of dining experience offered by a restaurant determines the details diners seek on their websites. Fine dining websites should prioritize photo galleries, a feature that 53% of frequent diners rate as "very important." On the other hand, casual dining websites should focus more on accessibility, with 69% of casual diners rating pricing as "very important."
Social Media: A Bonus for Diner Discovery
The role of social media platforms in diner discovery cannot be understated. More than half of Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers use Facebook to find new restaurants, while Gen Z prefers Instagram and TikTok. A staggering 70% of fine dining high-spenders use social media for restaurant discovery, indicating a fertile ground for restaurants to cultivate an engaging and dynamic presence.
Understanding the Diner: Different Strokes for Different Folks
The report also points out that different types of diners have their own strategies when it comes to seeking out new dining experiences. For instance, 50% of high earners search for restaurants based on ratings such as 'best burger' or 'most popular restaurant.' Understanding these varied diner behaviors can help restaurants tailor their marketing strategies effectively.
Gen Z and the Rise of Social Media Trends
Lastly, the rise of Gen Z in the dining scene is noteworthy. A remarkable 45% of Gen Z use social media for restaurant discovery, the highest of any generation. This underscores the need for restaurants to not only be present on these platforms but also actively engage with diners to build a sense of community and connection.
The report underscores the significance of digital platforms in shaping the dining industry. To stay competitive and relevant, restaurants must embrace these insights and incorporate them into their strategic planning. By doing so, they can stay in tune with evolving diner preferences, attract new customers, and ultimately, bolster their success in the digital age.
The restaurant industry, always in pursuit of innovation and excellence, can gain fresh insights by tuning into top-rated foodservice podcasts on Savor.fm. On Hospitality Hangout, industry stalwarts Michael Schatzberg, "The Restaurant Guy," and Jimmy Frischling, "The Finance Guy," engage in an enlightening discussion with Amer Wahab, President of Kettleman's Bagels. This Ottawa food institution, known for its traditional Montreal-style bagels and unique business model, operates around the clock. Their "no-wall" approach lets customers witness the bagel-making process, from hand-rolling to kettle-boiling and wood oven baking.
For those seeking growth strategies for their foodservice businesses, Turning Tables, hosted by Kathleen Wood, founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, is a must-listen. Wood shares her firm's transformative strategies and her own professional experience working with big industry players like Raising Cane's and Walk-On's Bar and Bistreaux. The episode, "Six Keys For Accelerating Your Growth," provides an in-depth look at her "Power of 1" system, developed to support leaders in scaling their businesses. Drawing inspiration from successful professional sports teams, Wood's approach could be the catalyst for your business's next growth spurt. Listen in for her examination of success patterns across industries, and see how these strategies might translate into your own success story.
The Battle Over The Better Bagel, New York vs. Montreal
Six Keys for Accelerating Your Growth
