Choosing the right background music is one of the most important decisions you can make as a restaurant owner. It can affect everything from customer perceptions to their spending and dining experience. Several scientific studies have found that music plays a crucial role in influencing a guest’s food and drink preferences. It can also have a dramatic impact on their overall perception of flavor.
Attracts Customers
Music is one of the most critical elements that a restaurant can use to attract customers. Besides setting the mood and atmosphere for guests, it also enhances the overall experience of dining. However, it is important to note that background music for restaurants should be chosen carefully and must match the theme of your establishment. In addition, it must be played at the right volume and tempo to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.
For example, soft instrumental or classical music will increase customer satisfaction and help them feel relaxed and comfortable in your restaurant. This will also encourage them to stay longer and spend more money on your restaurant’s menu. The choice of music should be based on the demographics and income levels that your restaurant attracts. For instance, younger customers are more likely to enjoy loud and fast music genres such as rock or rap. A good balance of volume and tempo should be maintained throughout the day to ensure that everyone is able to hear each other. Moreover, it is important to consider the time of day. Playing loud and energetic music during early breakfast may displease your customers. While there is no hard and fast rule, slow-tempo music has been found to increase table turnover rate. This is because it makes guests eat faster, drink more and leave sooner than if they heard fast-paced music.
Encourages Lingering
A great restaurant background music encourages lingering. It doesn’t have to be loud, but it must make customers feel comfortable and help them relax. The right song can be the difference between guests who leave after filling the food or people who linger for a while to sample all your restaurant has to offer. In addition, it can also improve sales. When choosing a song, you should consider the time of day and the mood of your customers. For example, you may want to play up-tempo music during lunch to encourage table turnover and down-tempo music during dinnertime to promote a more leisurely experience. According to a study by Gallup Organization Survey, down-tempo music has been shown to increase food and beverage sales by up to 15%. While it may not sound like a lot, that can add up over time.
Creates A Private Space
Having a great soundtrack can make your restaurant stand out from the competition. Not only does music help to create a positive environment for your customers, but it can also boost your bottom line by encouraging more patrons to dine with you. Choosing the right background music is not an easy task. The right tempo, volume and genre can significantly affect your business. For example, playing music at an obscenely loud level will irritate your guests. Alternatively, slow-tempo music can encourage lingering and increase sales. The best choice for your restaurant is probably a custom-built system that plays music via an amplifier or speakers mounted throughout the space. A high-end setup will likely feature state-of-the-art equipment and a well-trained staff to ensure all the details are in place. As with any big investment, conduct a market research study to determine what your customers expect and if your current setup is meeting those expectations.
Increases Sales
Background music is important for restaurants because it can attract customers, encourage lingering, create a private space and increase sales. However, you must choose the right type of music for your restaurant. Research has shown that a carefully chosen mix of music representing your establishment’s culture can boost revenue by more than 9 percent. This is a huge number and indicates the importance of having the right background music. It is also important to choose the right genre and tempo of the music. The music you play will influence shoppers’ perception of your restaurant and how they feel about the food, service, and atmosphere.
For example, classical music projects an air of expense and quality, leading customers to buy higher-priced goods. In addition, it may also lead customers to spend more money on drinks and extras. Similarly, fast-paced music may inspire customers to speed up their eating and drinking habits, leading to more table turnover and increased bar sales. Likewise, slow-paced music may encourage people to linger and enjoy their meals, leading to more drinks and higher per-person spending. These factors help build positive customer experiences and make customers feel comfortable in your establishment. This, in turn, leads to positive perceptions of your restaurant and the brand. Those positive perceptions can translate into increased sales and a better bottom line for your business.
