Customer Engagement-Secret of Successful Restaurants

When websites were first introduced the techy savvy restaurants were the first to adopt this new technology and soon they began to reap the reward of having an online presence. While others lagged behind the same technology savvy restaurateurs introduced newsletters, online bookings and more recently social media. And what’s it all about ….simply its all about customer engagement.

We work with hundreds of restaurants throughout the UK and the US and what we have witnessed is that there is a common factor which contributes to making a restaurant successful…successful restaurants understand the importance of customer engagement.

All businesses need new customers/business but the successful restaurants work extremely hard at getting customers to refer the new business and more importantly they make sure that their customers never forget them (they are always on the mind through the use of newsletters, direct mail and social media) and they reward them for their loyalty.

So what is the new trend….

At the current exponential rate of growth of smartphones, it is estimated that by 2015 over 80% of the people in the UK will have a smartphone. By the end of 2010 it was sitting at 33.6%.

The ITU (February 2010) expects mobile Web access – via laptops and smart mobile devices – to overtake desktop Web within the next five years.

It is a fact that 99% of people leave home with their mobile phones (people are more likely to forget their house keys than their mobile phone) and given that most people have a mobile phone (it is safe to assume that over 90% of people have one) the new trend is for "mobile marketing" and the future will be about having your own brand smartphone app. There is only one problem....the future now is determined in months rather than years!

To have instant access to your customers is an extremely powerful tool as it can constantly be a reminder of your existence; you can inform them of current and upcoming events, reward them instantly for their loyalty or fill available tables with a late availability/last-minute offer.

So the only reason you would not start thinking of your own branded app would be the cost of getting one developed and then hosting it. That is why we have introduced an affordable way to have an app within weeks. With our Share Package you could have a cutting edge app for as little as £49 per month and a one off setup fee of £150.

Email us and we will send you a free mock-up of what your app could look like. Alternatively fill in the form below and we will contact you within 24 hrs. Don’t hesitate as smartphone technology is here to stay so get ahead of the game.

24/06/2011 permalink | 0 Comments »

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Customer Interaction has just stepped up a level

Its official your restaurant business can now leap into the modern age by taking advantage of new marketing outlets and expanding their brand image. Your customers will interact with your restaurant in a whole new, personal way reinforcing customer retention and word of mouth marketing. Who better to promote your business than your customer?

We have just launched a new model of our iPhone application with all the bells and whistles. The new application now incorporates:

• Image and Video enabled
• Custom background
• Custom Icon
• Custom "Loyalty Reward" coupon
• Customised Menu - in PDF or detail form
• Customised Featured section - tell your customers what events are coming up
• Push Notifications - send your customers a text message update
• One-Touch Contact - customers can call, email, or get directions at the push of a button
• Logger Feature - allows customers to send you their reviews
• Share Feature - allows customers to share your business with their friends
• 
  

The cost is as affordable as ever with a one off signup fee of $299 (£185) and the monthly hosting will be $99 (£61)

So get ahead of the game and fill in your details in the form below and we will call you to discuss this further with you and answer all your question or call us @ realtimeseating on 0845 862 1062 or email info@realtimeseating.com

02/06/2011 permalink | 0 Comments »

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FESTIVAL BRAZIL

As a Brazilian I often come across stereotypical comments about my country; Football, Samba, Beautiful Women and Carnival are the words most associated with Brazil. However from time to time Brazilians take over a little part of the world and show their complexity, creativity and passion as individuals and an emerging country.

I see myself standing in the middle of a crowd at the Royal Festival Hall during Festival Brazil; counting my steps and looking attentively to the instructor on stage while she tries to teach ,a group of enthusiasts, the first steps into a Samba routine. 5 minutes into my shameful attempt at samba dance and I am sweating, as if I was under Rio`s 40 degrees; I stop to take a breath and can`t help but notice that there are over 100 people uncontrollably shaking their bodies to the intoxicating rhythm of the live performance of Paraiso School of Samba. I feel my eyes filling up with water and my heart with pride, but I am not quite sure if the tears are a mix of emotion or just the pain on my tights. No wonder "cariocas" have an amazing body - What a work out!

And if like me a cultural feast is not complete without food, London has many wonderful authentic Brazilian restaurants, so enjoy a little bit of Brazil in London and for information and promotion in some of the best Brazilian restaurants sing up now at realtimeseating.com 

24/08/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

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Dinner on the London Eye

For the second year running Ramsay will be cooking in London's most

sought-after pop-up restaurant where one capsule on the London Eye will be

transformed into the capital's most exclusive restaurant, completing one

rotation for each course. Ten guests will have the London Eye to themselves

to enjoy dinner 135m above the River Thames with what's been described as

the UK's most exclusive chef's table.

London Evening Standard restaurant critic and Festival Founder Fay Maschler

said "The London Restaurant Festival 2010 is so proud to be working with

Gordon Ramsay once again. This night means such a huge amount to the

festival but also to our official LRF charity StreetSmart."

The StreetSmart charity works with London's homeless to provide food,

clothes and shelter and is well known for working with London's restaurant

industry to raise money.

The winning bidder and their nine guests will have dinner cooked for them by

Gordon Ramsay and will get then chance to meet the chef. There will also be

a champagne reception which will be hosted at the brand new Park Plaza

Westminster Bridge Hotel. A varied wine selection which has been designed to

complement each menu will also be served

Last year an anonymous bidder paid an impressive £23,000.00 for the experience, so if you have some spare cash and would like to have dinner in the sky, that is your chance.

On the other hand, if like me your budget is tight you can still enjoy fabulous dinner experiences at your favourite local restaurant with up to 50% off. Now, that is a deal not to be missed! Just sign up @ realtimeseating.com

The 2010 London Restaurant Festival (4-18 October) http://www.visitlondon.com/londonrestaurantfestival/

in partnership with American Express

19/08/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

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Village life in London – yes, we’re in Chiswick

Funny place, Chiswick. Famous for its villagey atmosphere, it’s also a town but, only 25 minutes by tube from Piccadilly Circus, it’s very much in London. Just don’t ever describe it as a suburb. We are Londoners who live in Chiswick.

With numerous independent shops – a butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, grocer, several delicatessens, a baker, chocolatier, an ice cream shop and numerous one-off cafés – Chiswick is on the map as one of the capital’s best foodie shopping areas.

Yes, Chiswickians love to cook. We buy wallet-scorchingly expensive olive oils. Smoked mackerel, fresh from the smokery not vacuum-packed in a factory, turns into paté – when we’re not eating oysters. We’re the first to have Vacherin Mont D’Or on our cheeseboards in winter and the last to gorge on Bombay Alphonso mangoes as spring becomes summer. In the annual marmalade-making competition, the men are the most competitive – using unnecessarily extravagant ingredients to impress the celebrity judges.

But we’re not slaves to the kitchen. People who cook in Chiswick also eat out in Chiswick. A lot. From the Michelin-starred La Trompette to the greasy spoon by day, Thai by night, café (of which we have two), supper is not a meal but a hobby.

And we pursue our hobby locally – and I don’t mean in Chiswick. People who live in central Chiswick patronise restaurants near the High Road. Bedford Park residents stroll to the Duke of Sussex for a taste of Spain and Le Vacherin for Gallic gastronomy. Annie’s and Reef are first choice in Strand on the Green or around Chiswick House. Pissarro’s draws crowds from homes on the river. Stamford Brookers go to The Brook. Venturing beyond your very local restaurant does happen, of course, with many braving the long hard journey over the Hammersmith border to the sophisticated but unpretentious Indian Zing.

Which Chiswick eatery gets your vote? Nominate your favourite at www. realtimeseating.com  – and you could soon receive a special invitation to take up your hobby (or should that be habit?).

04/08/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

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Mamma Mia

I love all things Italian and am always on the look out for that authentic piece of Italy in London. My search starts in my own backyard and I don`t have to go much further before I come across "Mamma Mia" the most charming Italian Restaurant in Purley. The owner Antonio is always there to greet you; the waiting staff are a breath of fresh air, very attentive and full of personality and the food….Mamma Mia!!!! The best thing about this little gem is that they don`t keep their secrets to themselves, Antonio also offers cooking classes, where you find yourself immersed in the Italian culinary culture.

So, after many disappointments and a load of frozen pizza and pasta I find myself finally becoming fluent in Italian in my own little piece of Italy right in the middle of Purley. But since I am not selfish; you can now enjoy Mamma Mia with up to 50% discount - just sign up for  www.realtimeseating.com

Chi Mangia italiano. . . Mangia bene.

26/05/2010 permalink | 0 Comments »

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