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Going to a restaurant is supposed to be an experience, which means that, as a restaurant owner or a manager, you’re simultaneously appealing to all the senses of your guests. In the 21st century, this always involves some kind of AV system. Regardless if it’s just music playing softly in the background or a video somewhere in the background, this is something that you definitely have to tend to.
These systems can be quite expensive, which is why a lot of restaurant owners are still on the fence regarding whether it’s actually worth it. Here are a few benefits to help you finally make up your mind.
1. Enhanced atmosphere
Your customers often remember how they felt at a restaurant. Since a restaurant is supposed to be a shrine of hedonism, it’s safe to say that it’s a place where every single sense will be affected.
It’s not just the food – it’s also the light and the soundtrack of the restaurant. Have you ever talked to someone and asked them how a place was, only to have them describe that it had too loud music? People even remember the texture of the utensils, chairs, leather seats, and tables that they’re seated at. They remember decoration and everything else.
In other words, the overall atmosphere is key to ensuring that they have a pleasant experience, and, in 2024, you can’t have it without a good AV system.
The big problem is that the majority of first-time restaurant owners don’t understand the importance that this makes. Therefore, they don’t allocate enough resources to ambient-enhancing elements. Instead, they focus on outfitting the kitchen and investing in seating.
Sure, these are the two most important elements of any restaurant, but they’re not the only thing that matters.
2. Promotion and information sharing
Why do companies advertise all across their office floor? After all, people sitting there already work for them, and even if there’s a visitor, they’re already aware of their brand and have already made a step to meet up. Doesn’t it seem redundant?
Well, no, not really! You see, there’s this customer lifecycle, meaning your brand’s interactions don’t start and end with a purchase. The same thing happens in restaurants, and you’re still promoting and strengthening your brand image to your guests.
Then you may also have some new information to share. Maybe there’s a new meal or beverage on the menu. Maybe you’re moving to a different location or have a limited-time offer for delivery. Perhaps you want them to follow you on social media, in which case flaunting your amazing social media offers (or just handles) makes all the sense in the world.
You may also want to share information regarding a new service that you’re providing. For instance, your frequent guests may have no idea about the fact that you’re actually providing catering services for events. They may have an upcoming event, and even if they just glance over this message in the background, they might remember it for later.
Great AV systems for restaurants are the best way to deliver a message to the audience that is already present and, therefore, counts under the qualified leads (low-hanging fruit).
3. Entertainment
Sure, people go to restaurants for the food, but you can’t downplay the importance of entertainment. Not everyone is going to the restaurant in good company, and, for some people, waiting for the food can be an agony. Well, by providing them with proper entertainment, you’re already ensuring that even a longer waiting time won’t diminish the customer experience.
While it is of utmost priority that you deliver food on time, the thing is that, with a proper AV system, your kitchen and waiting staff have those few extra minutes that they’ll desperately need. You see, your guests are on a schedule from the moment they order. After a certain mark (10-15 minutes), they’ll grow more and more impatient. Past a certain point, no amount of food quality will make up for the fact that they had to wait for an eternity (from their point of view) to get food.
Remember that while they’re not assessing entertainment (when you ask them on a questionnaire), it definitely goes into the final score. Therefore, it’s a sound investment for any restaurant business.
4. Improved staff efficiency
Coordination of your staff can be a huge challenge. This is why it’s so important that you improve your staff efficiency with a great AV system. Having a huge, interactive display will make it much easier for your team to coordinate even when the restaurant is crowded.
Transparency regarding order numbers can also affect overall guest satisfaction. Having an estimated time until the order is complete and the order number on display for everyone to see will make things so much easier. You don’t want to get accused of favoring some customers over others, so you need to display this for everyone to see.
Another area where this can be particularly helpful is with onboarding and training new staff members. Sure, in the restaurant business, the mentorship program is still going hard. However, you need to figure out the best way to deliver all the information in a quick and interactive way. Remember, the workforce in the restaurant business is, on average, younger than in some other industries. For a lot of young people, this is a starter job. A young workforce means a more tech-savvy approach will work the best.
Wrap up
It’s hard to imagine a modern business without a good AV system, and when it comes to the hospitality industry, all the benefits are even more apparent.
As an industry in which the subjective impression is everything, having a great sound and video system may appeal to more guests’ senses. It will also help with information-sharing and employee coordination and even keep your guests entertained while they’re waiting for their order to be finished.
In the end, these systems are scalable, and while maintenance and upgrades cost a bit, for the most part, they are a one-time investment. In other words, it’s a win-win scenario for your restaurant.
