Market Research for Restaurants 101 (2023)

Market research for your restaurant doesn’t end after your grand opening.

You should be conducting market research every year to make sure your restaurant is still giving your customers what they want.

In a market that’s home to more than1 million restaurant locations in the U.S. alone, you need to really know your customers. You need to know their hopes, dreams, and … what they want to eat.

So that you really do know, you’ll need to conduct some market research. “Market research” is a broad term that covers many areas of analysis, and some involve more investment of time and resources than others. Here we’ll cover how to use market research to strengthen your restaurant, examples of qualitative and quantitative research, and a couple of ways to perform market analysis that won’t break the bank.

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How to Use Market Research for Restaurants

Before we tell you how to conduct market research, you’ll want to know how you can use it to improve your business. Here are three goals to keep in mind when you’re conducting market research for your restaurant.

1. Improve Your Customers’ Experience

Market research will give you the framework to tackle any “blind spots” in your customer experience. You can assume there will always room for improvement in this area: but do you know exactly how you can make your customers’ experience better? If you’re not confident you do, it’s time to gather some information from your customers.

How to gather information:

  • Send a survey to your customers
  • Include comment cards on tables
  • Ask for feedback after their meal
  • Read reviews on review sites

2. Remain on Trend

As a business owner, you need a complete understanding of how consumer preferences are changing. So whether yourcustomers’ penchant for delivery is waningor they’re craving all things turmeric, you need to be aware early and take the necessary steps to get on trend before you’re left behind.

How to gather information:

3. Gain a Competitive Advantage

Is thattrendy bardown the road stealing your midweek clientele with their half-priced wing Wednesdays? When you know what your competitors are doing, you can supersede their strategy by adding a better promotion to attract customers back to your venue.

How to gather information:

  • Subscribe to your competitors’ e-newsletters
  • Follow your competitors’ social media feeds
  • Bookmark and check your competitors’ websites
  • Bookmark and check your competitors’ reviews on popular review site
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How to Conduct Market Research for Restaurants

There are two types of market research:qualitative and quantitative research.

Qualitative researchisn’t about numbers – it’s about thoughts and opinions. If you want to know more about your customers’ experiences and preferences, qualitative research is the way to go.

Methodologies for qualitative research:

  • Interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Archival research

Let’s focus on … focus groups. Focus groups enable you to conduct an intimate Q&A session to determine the appetite for your concept and learn more about your target market. Here’s how to host a focus group for your restaurant in eight steps.

1. Set Your Goals.

What specific information are you looking to gather? In this case, your goal is likely to learn more about your target market’s dining behaviors and values.

(Video) How to Do Market Research to Keep Your Restaurant Competitive

2. Select a Location for the Focus Group.

It should be comfortable and relaxed. Keep in mind that you’ll have to record the conversation for your reference later. The space should be quiet enough for recording.

3. Prepare Your Questions.

Use ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions sparingly. Use open-ended questions that will require a thoughtful response from participants. Use a funnel approach. Start with general, broad sweeping questions, then narrow your questions to get more specific answers. Limit yourself to 10-12 questions.

4. Recruit Participants.

Participants should be as objective as possible. To find objective participants, place an ad on social media or in publications like a local newspaper. If that’s not in the budget, you can also get friends to ask their network. That way you get an unbiased third parties to take part. Focus groups are usually made up of five to ten participants. Feel free to offer incentives like gift cards or loot bags.

5. Collect Demographic Information.

During your focus group, ask participants to fill out a confidential demographic form in advance of the focus group. Include fields for:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • City
  • Neighborhood of residence
  • Marital status
  • Children
  • Profession
  • Income bracket

6. Hand Out a Release Form.

Outline the purpose of the study. Confirm that the participant understands they will be recorded. Describe how the research will be used.

7. Ask Your Questions.

As you go through your questions, your job is also to keep participants on track. Reroute them if they get off course and prompt them for further details if their answers are short-winded. Be curious, wear a smile and make eye contact.

8. Analyze Your Recording and Findings.

Using your questions as a guideline, record your participants answers, preferences and behaviors. Identify trends in their responses.

Quantitative researchis all about the numbers. It involves larger sample sizes (more people) and statistical and numerical data. If you want data from a lot of people, you’ll need to use a quantitative research method to gather what you need.

Methodologies for quantitative research:

  • Experiments
  • Polls
  • Surveys

Executing a Successful Survey

Let’s focus on surveys. Surveys allow you to gather anonymous feedback from more people with less time and commitment than a focus group. Here’s how to conduct a survey in seven steps.

1. Set Your Goals.

What specific information are you looking to gather? In this case, your goal is likely to learn more about your target market’s dining behaviors and values.

2. Collect Demographic Information.

Begin your survey by collecting demographic information. When you’re conducting your analysis, this will help you sort your target market’s answers from general survey responses.

3. Use Close-Ended Questions.

On a survey, open-ended questions can exhaust respondents. Respondents can answer close-ended questions faster and from their gut. When it comes time to analyze your survey results, close-ended questions are quantitative. Quantitative responses will lead you to general conclusions, faster. Close-ended questions are framed using the following scales:

Likert Scale

Best used for: Measuring behavior and feelings

Strongly Agree – Agree – Undecided / Neutral – Disagree – Strongly Disagree

Always – Often – Sometimes – Seldom – Never

(Video) How To Do Market Research! (5 FAST & EASY Strategies)

Extremely – Very – Moderately – Slightly – Not at all

Excellent – Above Average – Average – Below Average – Very Poor

Example:

Question: Before visiting a restaurant, I look at their website online.

Answer: Always – Often – Sometimes – Seldom – Never

Nominal Scale

Best used for: demographic information, like age and income

1-9, 10-19, 20-29

Example:

Question: What is your age?

Answer: Under 21 – 22 to 35 – 36 to 49 – 50+

Dichotomous Scales

Best used for: Precise answers and data measuring

Yes or No

True or False

Fair or Unfair

Agree or Disagree

(Video) market research 101, learn market research basics and best practices

Example:

Question: I am interested in trying a new cuisine.

Answer: True or False

Multiple Choice

Best used for: Questions that could have more than one answer

Example:

Question: Which of the following proteins do you like?

Answer: Beef – Chicken – Fish – Tofu – Other (Please specify)

Single Choice Questions

Best used for: Questions that ask respondents to determine their favorite choice

Example:

Question: What protein do you select most often?

Answer: Beef – Chicken – Fish – Tofu – Other (Please specify)

When creating survey questions, avoid the following errors:

Leading questions: Do your best to create objective questions. Don’t ask, “Would you dine at an amazing restaurant if they played terrible country music?” Instead ask, “What music would deter you from dining at a restaurant? Choose the answer that most applies. Rock – Country – Indie – Classical – Top 40 – Oldies – Reggae – Rap – Other (please specify)”

Double-barrelled questions: Double-barrelled questions force respondents to answer two questions at once. For example: “Would you order takeout from a restaurant that offered Indian cuisine and was only open until 9:00pm?”

5. Create the Survey.

Create digital surveys using one of the following tools:

(Video) marketing research for beginners, understanding marketing research fundamentals

6. Test Your Survey.

Always test your survey before you distribute it to your target market. Your survey should take no longer than seven to eight minutes to complete. To test your survey, send it out to five members of your personal network. Ask them to review the survey questions for clarity, spelling, and general flow. Once they’ve completed the survey, download their responses so you can see how the survey tool organizes and presents the results. You might find you need to adjust formatting or response types if the information isn’t organized in a logical way.

7. Distribute Your Survey.

You can buy targeted respondents from any one of the survey tools listed above. If you’re on a budget, distribute the survey to your network. Then ask that network to distribute the survey to their network, and so on.

8. Analyze Responses and Apply Them to Profiles.

While the general population’s information is still valuable, pay close attention to your target market’s answers. As you identify psychographic and behavioral information trending within your target market, you can add these insights into your target market profiles.

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Tools for Conducting Market Research for Restaurants

MyBestSegments

A tool that provides researchers with lifestyle and demographic behavior of a specific area,MyBestSegmentsshows competitor and consumer trends as they shift.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite’sdashboard allows you to monitor social media hashtags so you can see people are saying about the restaurant industry.

Social Mention

Similarly to Hootsuite,Social Mentionshows you recent posts that contain keywords of your choice.

SurveyMonkey

A platform that allows you to easily create and distribute surveys to your audience for polling purposes.SurveyMonkey’ssurvey tool is great for gathering customer feedback in email campaigns and newsletters.

Survey Anyplace

Survey Anyplacelets you customize your own restaurant survey template so you can seewhat guests think about their experience. From questions on food service to affordability, the survey gives you some great information on your restaurant’s performance.

Feedly

Think of Feedly as your own personal newspaper. With content aggregators likeFeedly, you choose the publications and RSS feeds you’d like to follow and they organize them in a lovely, easily digestible daily package.

Market Research Firms

For those who want to make the most of all kinds of market research, market research consultants do it all, from creating and distributing surveys to holding focus groups, concept testing, testing brand image, and brand reception.

New restaurants are emerging every day – so there’s no shortage of competition in the restaurant industry. Leverage market research and its insights to help your restaurant remain competitive and on trend. You’ll find you can offer a better customer experience after you’ve taken the time to dig into their preferences – and then everyone is a winner.

Market Research for Restaurants 101 (4)

by Tiffany Regaudie

(Video) marketing research 101, understanding marketing research fundamentals

Tiffany was the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she shared knowledge with restaurateurs on how to run their business. She’s passionate about traveling the world and getting to know communities through great food.

FAQs

What is market research for a restaurant? ›

Restaurant market research is essential for restaurant businesses and entrepreneurs to understand the latest market trends, identify consumer pain points and target exactly what the consumers are looking for. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways of maintaining a competitive edge.

How do you write a research proposal for a restaurant? ›

8 Steps to Write a Restaurant Proposal:
  1. Step 1: Write the List of Sections. ...
  2. Step 2: Provide a Description of your Restaurant. ...
  3. Step 3: Outline Your Target Audience, Pricing Strategy, and USP. ...
  4. Step 4: Project your Sales Figures. ...
  5. Step 5: List the Startup Costs. ...
  6. Step 6: Include Biographies of All Key Members.

Who is the target audience for restaurants? ›

Target The Market of Your Restaurant. Your target market is the group of consumers – in this case, diners – whom you will aim to attract. They are people who are most likely to buy what you're selling. The target customer of your restaurant is a specific segment of the larger dining market.

What questions should I ask in a food survey? ›

General Questions
  • Was this your first time at the restaurant?
  • How did you hear about us?
  • How often do you visit?
  • How likely is it that you would come back? ...
  • Do you find that our restaurant is family-friendly? ...
  • Are our hours convenient? ...
  • How far did you travel to visit us today?

What are the examples of marketing research? ›

Other examples of primary market research include:
  • Interviews. Interviews are a common type of primary market research that can be either in-depth or as simple as asking a question. ...
  • Focus groups. ...
  • Questionnaires. ...
  • Surveys.

How do you write a market analysis for a business plan? ›

These are the seven steps of conducting a market analysis:
  1. Determine your purpose. ...
  2. Research the state of the industry. ...
  3. Identify your target customer. ...
  4. Understand your competition. ...
  5. Gather additional data. ...
  6. Analyze your data. ...
  7. Put your analysis to work.

What two groups are the primary focus in market research? ›

One of the primary groups of focus in market research is consumers. Gathering information about consumer attitudes and behavior will help marketers understand how to target and position their products. Another group of focus includes customers who have previously purchased one of the business's products.

What should be included in a business plan for a restaurant? ›

7 elements every restaurant business plan should include
  • Executive summary. ...
  • Restaurant description. ...
  • Sample menu. ...
  • Target market analysis. ...
  • Marketing plans and competitor analysis. ...
  • Organizational management. ...
  • Financial projections.

How do you make a menu proposal? ›

How to Write a Catering Proposal in 6 Simple Steps (Plus Free...
  1. Step 1: Write a cover letter.
  2. Step 2: Include Your Menu Items & Cost.
  3. Step 3: Add Extra Charges (if any)
  4. Step 4: Total Quote.
  5. Step 5: Explain Your Policies.
  6. Step 6: Signature and Payment Information.

How do you write a F&B proposal? ›

7 The main thing that should be in a food business proposal is:
  1. Business Name.
  2. History of the Establishment of the Business.
  3. Vision, Mission, Business Values.
  4. Business Model.
  5. SWOT Analysis.
  6. Detailed Explanation of the Product.
  7. Business Analysis.

What is research methodology? ›

What is Research Methodology? Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study's overall validity and reliability.

What is research design and example? ›

It is a causal design where one observes the impact caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable. For example, one monitors the influence of an independent variable such as a price on a dependent variable such as customer satisfaction or brand loyalty.

What is primary research? ›

Primary research – what is it? Primary research involves gathering data that has not been collected before. Methods to collect it can include interviews, surveys, observations or any type of research that you go out and collect yourself.

What type of market is a restaurant? ›

Restaurants are a monopolistically competitive sector; in most areas there are many firms, each is different, and entry and exit are very easy. Each restaurant has many close substitutes—these may include other restaurants, fast-food outlets, and the deli and frozen-food sections at local supermarkets.

How do restaurants retain customers? ›

So, here are seven customer retention strategies for restaurants that'll ensure happy customer who come back time after time:
  1. Install a self-service kiosk. ...
  2. Use digital signage. ...
  3. Use customer relationship management (CRM) software. ...
  4. Create a unique customer loyalty program. ...
  5. Reward customers with special offers. ...
  6. Ask for feedback.

What is a restaurant questionnaire? ›

Types of Restaurant Survey Questions

That includes food quality, service, cleanliness, ambiance, as well as food ordering and delivery. That said, 25 questions is a bit long for just one survey so before you select your customer feedback form questions, think about what you want to achieve with the survey.

What questions should I ask a customer about a product? ›

Here are the top 5 questions you'd ask your customers
  • What can my company do to better serve your needs?
  • How satisfied are you with our products/services?
  • What value do we provide?
  • What are your biggest challenges?
  • Why did you choose us over the competition?

How do you do a simple market research? ›

How to do market research
  1. Define your research objective. The first step in the market research process is to define your research objectives. ...
  2. Develop your research questions. ...
  3. Gather your research. ...
  4. Interpret your findings. ...
  5. Draw conclusions and make decisions.
Jul 4, 2022

What is the best type of marketing research? ›

Face-to-face Interviews

This approach is perhaps the most effective source of data for professional services firms. Face-to-face interviews, however, do come with a couple of important limitations. First, they are the most expensive interviews to conduct.

What are the 6 elements of market analysis? ›

Six Sources for Market Analysis Information
  • The Internet. Some of the first information you need is about population and demographics: who your potential customers are, how many there are, and where they live or work. ...
  • Local Chamber of Commerce. ...
  • Other Resources. ...
  • Customer Mindset. ...
  • the Competition. ...
  • Traditional Market Research.

What are the six components of a market analysis? ›

This section covers six main steps of a market analysis, including the purpose of each step and questions to guide your research and reflections.
  • Research your industry. ...
  • Investigate the competitive landscape. ...
  • Identify market gaps. ...
  • Define your target market. ...
  • Identify barriers to entry. ...
  • Create a sales forecast.
Jul 15, 2022

What are the basic factors to consider in the market research? ›

5 Factors You Should Consider When Doing Market Research
  • Is the target market worth anything for my business? ...
  • Is the target market manageable enough? ...
  • Who will I be fighting to attract the target market? ...
  • What do I want out of my market research in the first place? ...
  • Do I need help doing my market research?

How do you market research a new product? ›

Let's consider these steps of market research before launching a new product in more detail.
  1. Know your market — and your competitors. ...
  2. Target your customer. ...
  3. Devise your Unique Value Proposition. ...
  4. Determine your marketing strategy. ...
  5. Test your product and overall approach. ...
  6. Roll out your marketing campaign.
Jun 10, 2015

How do you write a market research report? ›

Here's how to prepare a market research report in 5 simple steps:
  1. Step 1: Cluster the data.
  2. Step 2: Prepare an outline.
  3. Step 3: Mention the research methods.
  4. Step 4: Include visuals with narrative explanations.
  5. Step 5: Conclude the report with recommendations.
Dec 2, 2021

What are the examples of marketing research? ›

Other examples of primary market research include:
  • Interviews. Interviews are a common type of primary market research that can be either in-depth or as simple as asking a question. ...
  • Focus groups. ...
  • Questionnaires. ...
  • Surveys.

How do you write a market analysis for a business plan? ›

These are the seven steps of conducting a market analysis:
  1. Determine your purpose. ...
  2. Research the state of the industry. ...
  3. Identify your target customer. ...
  4. Understand your competition. ...
  5. Gather additional data. ...
  6. Analyze your data. ...
  7. Put your analysis to work.

How important is marketing research if you will build a hotel resort? ›

Market research for a hotel is not only essential in giving you a better understanding of the current state of the hotel industry (from how it's doing, to what concepts are hot or not), but it also helps you decipher how to mould different aspects of your business so that it attracts the right customers.

What two groups are the primary focus in market research? ›

One of the primary groups of focus in market research is consumers. Gathering information about consumer attitudes and behavior will help marketers understand how to target and position their products. Another group of focus includes customers who have previously purchased one of the business's products.

What are the 4 types of market research? ›

Four common types of market research techniques include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and customer observation.

How do you do a simple market research? ›

How to do market research
  1. Define your research objective. The first step in the market research process is to define your research objectives. ...
  2. Develop your research questions. ...
  3. Gather your research. ...
  4. Interpret your findings. ...
  5. Draw conclusions and make decisions.
Jul 4, 2022

What are the 6 elements of market analysis? ›

Six Sources for Market Analysis Information
  • The Internet. Some of the first information you need is about population and demographics: who your potential customers are, how many there are, and where they live or work. ...
  • Local Chamber of Commerce. ...
  • Other Resources. ...
  • Customer Mindset. ...
  • the Competition. ...
  • Traditional Market Research.

What are the six components of a market analysis? ›

This section covers six main steps of a market analysis, including the purpose of each step and questions to guide your research and reflections.
  • Research your industry. ...
  • Investigate the competitive landscape. ...
  • Identify market gaps. ...
  • Define your target market. ...
  • Identify barriers to entry. ...
  • Create a sales forecast.
Jul 15, 2022

What is market research in hospitality industry? ›

The hospitality industry also uses market research to identify a change in trends and market, allowing them to evolve yet stay ahead of their competitors. Gathering data from several years ago can help a new company understand change in the market and anticipate future trends.

Why is market research important in the hospitality industry? ›

Market research provides valuable information and insight into the hospitality industry. Whether you are relying on independent, third-party data or are gathering statistics yourself, the data can be used to make appropriate decisions regarding entering or expanding your operations in the hospitality industry.

What is the role of research in hospitality industry? ›

Need for Research in the Hospitality Industry

It not only guarantees excellent customer services but also ensures improvements and amendments to failed services. Research has shown that customers see high-quality service in the totality, on both the initial and the recovery from failed initial service.

What are the basic factors to consider in the market research? ›

5 Factors You Should Consider When Doing Market Research
  • Is the target market worth anything for my business? ...
  • Is the target market manageable enough? ...
  • Who will I be fighting to attract the target market? ...
  • What do I want out of my market research in the first place? ...
  • Do I need help doing my market research?

How do you market research a new product? ›

Let's consider these steps of market research before launching a new product in more detail.
  1. Know your market — and your competitors. ...
  2. Target your customer. ...
  3. Devise your Unique Value Proposition. ...
  4. Determine your marketing strategy. ...
  5. Test your product and overall approach. ...
  6. Roll out your marketing campaign.
Jun 10, 2015

How do you write a market research report? ›

Here's how to prepare a market research report in 5 simple steps:
  1. Step 1: Cluster the data.
  2. Step 2: Prepare an outline.
  3. Step 3: Mention the research methods.
  4. Step 4: Include visuals with narrative explanations.
  5. Step 5: Conclude the report with recommendations.
Dec 2, 2021

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