Appeal of an Appetizer

Does the before meal appetizer change the environment of the place?

When entering a restaurant a customer will most likely be greeted by the aroma of well prepared and delicious foods. The tantalizing smells can create an atmosphere that entices one to want to order a good meal. But in addition to that many restaurants on occasion leave a small starter with you after you are seated to increase your appetite. In the chains we focused on this was not the case. One could order an appetizer perhaps, but nothing was brought to the table without an order and additional payment.

The way this problem was addressed in the three restaurants was a little different. In Chili’s you were asked if you would like to have an appetizer but off of the menu. The Training Table’s menu of appetizers was short and since you order on your own, the focus was really on the main meal. Paradise Bakery is more like a deli and while something like a muffin might be considered an appetizer there wasn’t anything specifically listed on the menu as an appetizer. It seemed like for the goal of focusing on the main meal these strategies worked fine. Most costumers seem to like free food offered beforehand though. One girl said, she loved that she knew she would get bread sticks at Olive Garden and that made it distinguished in her mind.

Therefore:

A solution seems that some kind of offering, be it insignificant or not can make a lasting impression that people will continue to associate with that restaurant and promote talk about it. Placing a bowl of chips, popcorn, bread, or even just a piece of candy on your plate can give people one more reason to go to that place