Learn more about restaurant branding with our complete guide.
How you greet customers says a lot about your restaurant. It’s the first impression they’ll have of your establishment, and it can set the tone for their entire dining experience. A warm smile and sincere eye contact will make customers feel welcome and appreciated, while a cold handshake or lack of attention may leave them feeling unimportant or unwelcome.
In this post, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of customer greetings, so that you can make sure your restaurant leaves a good first impression with every customer who walks through your door!
Smile
Smiling is a great way to show customers that you are happy to see them and that they are welcome in your restaurant. A genuine, open-mouthed smile will make people feel special and appreciated, while a closed-mouth or half-hearted smile can give off an unwelcoming vibe. Smiles should be accompanied by good eye contact as well, so that customers know you genuinely care about them and their experience with you.
Eye Contact
Eye contact is another important part of customer greetings. Making eye contact with each guest who comes into your restaurant will help them feel like you are paying attention to them and value their presence there. It also shows respect towards the customer and demonstrates that you want to make their experience a positive one. While it’s important to make eye contact, be sure not to stare too long or overly engage with customers as this can make them feel uncomfortable.
Shake Hands
Shaking hands is an optional but appreciated gesture when greeting customers at your restaurant. A handshake should be warm and friendly and accompanied by a smile and eye contact for the best effect. Avoid shaking hands too quickly or aggressively, as that can leave guests feeling unwelcome. Also, avoid any sort of physical contact such as hugging unless you know the customer personally.
Conclusion
Greeting customers with a warm smile, sincere eye contact, and a friendly handshake (if appropriate) will ensure that your guests feel welcomed and valued. A good first impression is essential for creating a positive dining experience, and customer greetings play an important role in that.