The pandemic, fights for social justice and a divisive presidential election have all brought politics into restaurant dining rooms in recent months.
Those fraught circumstances can cause challenges in customer service, for example, when restaurant workers need to enforce mask-wearing regulations.
Regardless of those challenges, some restaurant brands have impressed consumers with their ability to treat all customers with respect. That’s according to new data released by Technomic’s Ignite Consumer database. (Technomic is a sister company of Restaurant Business.)
In a new question on its consumer survey, Technomic asked recent visitors to each chain whether they agree that the brand treats all guests with respect.
Both full-service and quick-service chains made the top-five ranking, demonstrating that treating all customers with respect can be a value that is instilled at a wide variety of restaurant brands.
For the average restaurant chain, 82.6% of consumers reported that they agreed that all customers were treated with respect, according to Technomic.
Here are the chains that scored significantly above average:
5. Tied for fifth place are upscale chain Ruth’s Chris and bistro-bakery concept Mimi’s Café. Some 88.9% of consumers said those chains treat all customers with respect.
4. Better-burger brand Five Guys was rated highly by 89.1% of customers, who agreed or strongly agreed that the brand focuses on respectful treatment of all.
3. Casual dining concept First Watch was rated highly by 89.7% of recent customers asked about whether they noted respectful service.
2. Coming in with the second-highest rating is growing coffee chain Dutch Bros. Coffee. Some 91.7% of customers agreed that the brand treats everyone with respect.
1. Topping Technomic’s recent survey is casual-dining chain Cracker Barrel. The chain, known for its homestyle menu and country décor, was rated highly by 92.3% of customers for treating all guests with respect.
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