There are many reasons why restaurants usually have what I call a shelf life.  They, if they are successful, often outlive their usefulness.  I think it would be unfair of me to say that they stopped caring. That really isn’t it.  But, somewhere along the line, they stopped paying attention.  They are so use to having a good customer base, that they don’t revisit basic things like what the place looks like or how it smells.  Yeah, that’s right, smells.

Cleaning crews

Sure they have a crew that comes in and cleans it every night.  They even make sure that the staff keeps it clean.  What I’m talking about though is they never look at it from the customer’s point of view.  As if they are seeing it for the first time.  They are so used to walking in everyday and seeing the same old thing.  That is the problem:  It is the same old thing.  Paint the place!  At least wash those walls and brush out the cobwebs.  Maybe you could even take the time to wash those fake plants so they are not so dusty.

Do yourself a favor and walk through the place once a week with fresh eyes. You will be amazed at what you see and what you smell.  Is it the wonderful aroma emanating from your kitchen that you detect, or is it the backed up sewer system or rotting wood in the bar that catches your attention?  I am not asking you to reinvent the wheel, however, would it kill you to spruce up the place a bit?  If you want to keep your place alive, you have to actually work at it.  You cannot count on your great food and attentive staff to carry things alone.  Remember, this is the entertainment business and aesthetics count for a lot, too.

Buy new stuff!

So, reinvest in your business!  Buy new dishes, flatware, keep those bathrooms looking nice.  Actually the bathroom thing is huge.  There are those who would argue that as far as your bathrooms go, so goes your restaurant.  Paint, dust, and wash. Regularly.  Oh…and happy birthday honey.