How a Restaurant’s Atmosphere Affects the Customer’s Experience

EliteTraveler says that the combination of music, lighting, artwork, and spacing creates a comfortable setting for customers. The strategic placement of the tables in the dining room not only gives diners the elbow room to slice through their fresh salmon, but the size of the tables are purposely paired as to not overpower each other, making the customer more comfortable while they eat. Also, often the restaurateur will ensure the outside greenery blends with the interior walls if there are big open windows, and the pictures on the wall provide a tasteful point of interest for guests as opposed to looking at bare space. Even the type of music played in the background is compiled to set a specific mood. Here are some thoughtfully planned out details that may affect the customer’s dining experience.

Colors
Ever notice that nearly every fast food chain has yellow and red colors in their flashy logo? Turns out, that’s not a coincidence. According to Insider, fast food companies use color psychology to influence customers with what they are ordering. Yellow is associated with feelings of contentment, happiness, comfort and red illustrates desire, power and love. That explains why when so many people drive by a Chick-fil-A, they practically drive over the curb for a taste of their famed chicken (aside from the fact that the chicken is deliciously amazing). And apparently the combination of red and yellow are more than just a tasty experiment with ketchup and mustard, but they subconsciously influence people to stop what they are doing and grab a bite to eat.

Lighting
Restaurateurs are onto something when they substitute bright overhead lights with cozy dim lanterns as centerpieces. FoodandWine says that dim lighting makes people eat slower, consume less and enjoy their food more. Softly lit rooms, like within many of the world’s top restaurants, make customers feel more relaxed. In a world where people prefer to dine from the comfort of their couches via DoorDash and GrubHub, making customers feel welcome and as relaxed as eating in their own home is important.

Music
The louder the music, the more fun it is inside. That’s at least what some college students believe when they walk past a crowded bar with the sound of the five-piece band illuminating out the door. But many restaurant owners believe that the lower the volume, the better the experience for the customers. In fact, some restauranteurs opt out of playing music at all allowing guests’ conversations and the clinking of glasses and cutlery to be the noise. Depending on what type of evening diners are looking for (i.e. dancing and singing along to Celine Dion, or having an elegant three-course dinner), there is always a restaurant nearby to match their mood.

While the look and feel of a restaurant can determine whether restaurant goers are craving a greasy hamburger and fries or a savory filet mignon dish, it can also determine how they consume and enjoy the overall dining experience.

About Bielat Santore & Company
Bielat Santore & Company is an established commercial real estate firm. The company’s expertise lies chiefly within the restaurant and hospitality industry, specializing in the sale of restaurants and other food and beverage real estate businesses. Since 1978, the principals of Bielat Santore & Company, Barry Bielat and Richard Santore, have sold more restaurants and similar type properties in New Jersey than any other real estate company. Furthermore, the firm has secured in excess of $500,000,000 in financing to facilitate these transactions. Visit the company’s website, http://www.123bsc.com for the latest in new listings, property searches, available land, market data, financing trends, RSS feeds, press releases and more.