The same can be said for the restaurant business. I personally believe that the majority of businesses fail, not because of financial instability or bad products/services, but because most business owners neglect, or simply ignore the customer service aspect. This is sometimes the only thing that can seperate you from the competition across the street...

Customer service should be looked at as the lifeline of any business. Even a flailing business can gain new life if the few customers that do exist are actively involved and informed as to what goes on with the business. You'll be surprised at just how much this small detail could boost your restaurant's business into the stratosphere. Customers get involved, they talk to their friends and family, and they too get involved. Before you know it, you have given your business a since of "community".

When your restaurant business is new, you must be extra careful in making decisions that have to do with the customers. Your image should be the most important thing next to the way you handle your customers. Good news via word of mouth spreads quickly, but bad news spreads even faster. Make sure that your customer base can say nothing but good things about your restaurant.

The little things count a lot. Especially when like mentioned earlier, competition comes into play. These small things, such as asking "Is everything alright with your order", or "would you like another drink free of charge?" can seperate you from the rest of the crowd. Just look at it from their perspective. Would asking these questions make you feel more comfortable and at home?

In conclusion, just think of running your Sacramento restaurant in this manner: There was an internet marketing slogan that went something like, "Words Sell, not the fancy graphics and multimedia that you have on your site." What this means is that when a web surfer comes to your site, they will be much more compelled to buy when they see or read what they want; not because you had an up to date, fancy looking site. A simple, boring site will outsell a slow downloading, fancy site anyday. Just look at Craigslist. When your customers come to see you, remember to focus on the proven, ageless tactics of flawless customer service. Your customers will thank you for it. I promise...