Any restaurant, café, diner or business that provides service to paying customers will not survive very long in a competitive market if the service provided is shoddy or second rate.

Having a top chef and quality kitchen hands creating mouth-watering cuisine and delicious desserts in the kitchen out back is of course vital as far as providing quality meals are concerned. However, having well trained waiters or waitresses with effective customer service skills should also be a priority because they have personal contact with customers and can make or break the reputation of a restaurant.

For example, if a customer sitting patiently at a table experiences a long delay in being served or is not provided with appropriate courteous service, then that person will be left with a bad overall impression of the restaurant.

Customers who select a restaurant to dine at usually choose it for a variety of different reasons. For example, they may have dined their on a previous occasion, the menu appeals to them, they like the ambiance and peaceful setting or it has been recommended by another person because of its atmosphere and the quality of service provided.

In times of hardship and a downturn in the economy, restaurants can experience a drop off in customers and income. To ensure customers enjoy their dining experience and to encourage return business restaurant owners business practices may need to be revisited to ensure employees have the appropriate experience and training to provide good customer service the minute a customer steps inside the door.

The following are some simple customer service tips and techniques that restaurant staff can use to help enhance the reputation of a restaurant and encourage customer loyalty.

1. Prior to seating a customer always ensure the table is clean with placemats, serviettes, cutlery and glassware positioned appropriately.

2.Always welcome customers when they arrive with a smile.

3.If a reservation has been made promptly escort customers to their designated table.

4. If the restaurant is full and a table is not immediately available let customers know the situation and how long the expected wait will be. In this type of situation invite customers to either wait (this could be in a bar area or a defined waiting area) or to return at a later time.

5. Monitor customers who have already been seated at tables to ensure their wait-time is not overly excessive before being served.

6. Be familiar with what appears on the menu and be prepared to answer any questions a customer may have about dishes, meals or refreshments mentioned.

7.Take meal and drink orders courteously and efficiently. Always write down a customers order as this will avoid you forgetting what you have been told.

8.Ensure customers meals (particularly when hot) are delivered promptly.

9.To ensure the customer is satisfied with their meal approach the table at an opportune time and ask in a friendly manner whether everything is all right with their meal.

10. On completion of the customer’s main meal again approach the table to ask whether there is anything else they would like to eat or drink.