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Establishing A Family Friendly Restaurant
You have probably seen families out to eat together in various restaurants. You may have noticed that it takes place more often in some restaurants than others. This is because parents quickly discover which restaurants are designed well for families to enjoy a meal together and which ones are a nightmare. Since families often do go out to eat for a celebration or to accommodate their schedule, restaurant owner's really need to pay attention to what their needs are.
If you don't offer a good experience for a family while they are eating in your restaurant, they won't be returning. |
It doesn't matter how good the food is or how great your prices are if they didn't have a good time there. Parents tend to get stressed out when they take their children to a restaurant anyway because of the risk of behavior problems or spilled drinks. If they feel uneasy in the establishment then it only escalated the overall level of stress the have about it.
You will be surprised at how many restaurants hire staff that have no clue how to handle families. They seem very overwhelmed by a table with so many little people. Make sure you train them in this area so they can take good care of families coming in for a meal. Remember that they are representing your business and if they don't do an excellent job then you will be losing out on repeat customers. You don't have to make your restaurant into a child's play area for it to work well though. Simple things like offering extra napkins and drinks with lids make a huge difference.
The first thing many parents notice when they sit down in a restaurant is the menu. They will scan it to see if there are any selections for children on it. The cost of their dining experience may double if they have to buy their children full meals which you would think is going to increase your profits. Yet it will cost you them returning as it is too expensive for them. Offer some good choices for children and you will have a very family friendly menu.
Don't forget to offer additional children's meals for older children too. This is a category that too many restaurants seem to over look. This is an age group from about 6-11 that eat more than a typical child's meal but less than an adult portion. Likewise, if your restaurant is buffet style then offer a discounted price for children based on their age
Children often get impatient when they are waiting for food, so offer something fun for them to do. It doesn't cost very much to offer a place mat with a few games or a coloring page with crayons. Parents will be able to relax as they wait for their food because their children will be entertained with these activities. Some restaurants offer games on the table to where you jump pegs over each other or you create things out of links. These types of games offer a fun way for the whole family to spend time together while they wait for their food.
Offer plenty of seating arrangements that work well for families too. Generally it is much easier if you offer them a booth because small children are less likely to fall out of their chairs or get up and run around. A restaurant can be dangerous for a small child to run around in because they can get food or hot coffee spilled on them. High chairs and booster chairs will be appreciated by parents as well. I have been in restaurants where parents are trying to hold a child and eat too because there aren't enough high chairs so don't let that be an issue.
It does take more work and preparation to make a restaurant family friendly. However, this is a huge market that you don't want to see avoiding your restaurant because it isn't convenient for the parents. This should all be part of the overall dining experience for any parent. If you offer it to them as well as great tasting food I can guarantee you they will appreciate it and come in often. They will also recommend your restaurant to their friends, family, and co-workers.
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