You know the clich' that you don't get a second chance for a first impression. It is also true that the quality of your last impression may well determine if you get a second chance at all. If it is a positive memory, they will be more inclined to think of you favorably and more likely to return. Since our goal in building sales without selling is simply to treat our guests in such a way that they return just one additional time each month, it is important to make sure that the final impression is positive. No matter what else you do, it is essential that you show the depth of your gratitude for your guests' patronage.
Nobody gets all the appreciation they deserve.
That they chose your restaurant in the first place is significant and all the more so because they are probably trying you out because some other operator dropped the ball with them. More than any choice of words, gratitude is conveyed in the feeling behind the tone of voice you use when thanking your guests for their patronage and inviting them to return. To get in touch with that feeling, start by reminding yourself that your guests had a lot of options when it comes to dining . As if that wasn't enough, they are likely to leave a tip that reflects, as much as anything, the degree of human connection you have been able to establish with them. If you will permit yourself to get in touch with these feelings before you open your mouth, your guests will be touched by your gratitude and remember you more favorably.