The Problem with Restaurant Noise and How to Fix
Did you know that nearly two thirds of mid-aged diners say they would actively steer clear of noisy venues?
We want our customers to enjoy an impressive fine-tuned meal, but don’t want an uncomfortable noisy atmosphere to override their experience…
Do you notice any of the following in your venue?
- Do the customers have to lean towards each other to hear their companion talking?
- Are there miscommunications between guests and staff?
- Do customers respond slowly when their order number is called?
If a “yes” was answered to at least one of the above questions, it is possible that our customers are experiencing discomfort due to noise.
Quick Statistics:
- Long or repeated exposure to sounds at 75 decibels or above can cause a decrease in hearing sensitivity
- The average noise level in restaurants around the nation range between 50 and 90 decibels, and the average is increasing
- Noise can even affect how diners perceive their food, including lower ability to taste sweet foods and the tendency to perceive food as dry.
If noisy restaurants are a common thing, imagine how customers would feel after dining at a restaurant with fine food and a pleasant atmosphere!
The good news is that there are quick and easy solutions –
Quick Sound Reduction Tips:
- Dampen and disperse sound using physical barriers and/or create alcoves to break up sound waves
- Line the walls and ceilings with acoustic panels to effectively absorb sound – there are both plain and fancy styles to suit all interiors
- Put rubber caps on chairs legs to reduce banging and mats on long walkways also helps to absorb sound
- Consider fabrics rather than leather and vinyl for your chairs, booths and banquette seating
- Consider putting mats on long walkways
- Consider making the background music quieter
For more tips on how to dampen sound in your restaurant using upholstery, contact us.