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Todd Earwood

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How To Not Lose Your Favorite Restaurant

I just found out my favorite restaurant, Melillo’s is closing its doors. While I am sure many things factored into making this tough decision, I realized there are three main things we can all do to support our preferred businesses, products, services, web sites and yes, restaurants.

Personally, I have never operated, worked at or even wanted to open a restaurant, but I have had businesses fail (yes more than one) and it’s tough. It’s tough on your pride, your wallet and your confidence. I recognize a business closing isn’t life or death, but I do think we as customers forget how much it takes to provide a great meal, service or product, so support the ones you truly like.

For those of you who prefer to read, click below to see the primary points in text.

Here’s the top three things I think we could all do to support our favorite restaurants.

  1. Tell them they’re your favorite – I know running a business is tough and from what I hear running a restaurant takes an extreme amount of hours, so let them know their hard work is paying off.
  2. Put your money where your mouth is – Its quite cachet to say this is my favorite restaurant, but the reality is sometimes we talk more about having a favorite spot than actually patronizing the business with our pocketbook.
  3. Bring, not tell a friend – Sure, it’s great to spread the good word about a business, but its even better to help reinforce #2 by introducing your network to the business.
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  • This hits close to the heart for me. While living in South Florida, I accidentally stumbled upon a brand new Thai restaurant. It was sandwiched between two completely forgettable other businesses in a completely forgettable strip mall. The signage was bad. You couldn't really see it from the road. Basically it had everything working against it.

    But the food was fantastic.

    At the time, I had a lot of connections in the area so I pretty much gushed about the place as often as possible. At work, with friends, at conventions. I got to know the owners the first time I was there (because they hardly had any customers at that point.) They said I should have people ask for them if I sent them, so they could get a discount. Win win, so of course I did.

    The place survived. More than that, I have never been treated as well when I went to eat out. I was constantly getting free appetizers, % off my bill, even gifts. I wasn't seeking any of that, but they would always insist.

    The most powerful marketing in the world is a very happy customer.
  • Alex - Agreed, 100%. You can't spend enough ad dollars to match what a happy customer (Deryl aptly calls them advocates) can do for a business.

    I think you've also just shown me what my next post will be... why Melillo's was my favorite place. Thanks.
  • Todd, I couldn't agree more. We, as consumers and entrepreneurs, need to do a better job spreading the brilliance of businesses (restaurants) we enjoy by using more than our mouths. Anyone can talk about a business, but what better way to truly become an advocate than to help someone experience what it is that you love. Well done!
  • Deryl - That's the exact word.. advocate.
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