We Don’t Lose Restaurants to “Bad Food.” But to Silence.

I have just accidentally come across yet another post that a restaurant is closing after 6 years. The niche isn’t important, so is the city or whether it is 5 ot 7 years old either. 

We all know the truth – over 70% of restaurants close in their first 2 years. The stats do not lie – it is painstakingly difficult and failure-prone. 

And yes tnere are so many reasons why it happens – poor management, weak standards, shaky customer service, inconsistent food, not knowing your numbers (P&L) and many more. 

Though there is one point that baffles me – why is nobody talking about guests’ loyalty? Why do we follow our favourite sports teams religiously and spend an outrageous amount of money to go see the matches, even abroad? Yet most of us fail to support our favourite local businesses. Some of you say you do, but I am quite sure – it’s not enough.

Your Favorite Restaurant Won’t Survive on “Likes”

I’ve been there myself, after 4+ years of running Living Vino – plant-based restaurant and wine bar, I got the message loud and clear: my post that we are going to close got more engagement and conversations than any of the previous social media posts. At the point of no return, to ask, ‘Oh, it’s the end of an era. Why are you closing?’ It’s just a bit late. A tiny, tiny bit late. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to dozens of our most frequent loyal guests, but for the majority of our regulars, I must admit – the frequency wasn’t enough. 

Support Isn’t a Comment. It’s a Visit.

So let me ask you a question – which are the top spots you love the most? Be it for the food, drinks, ambience, or friendship with the team or owners. Whilst I myself love to check out the new places, I urge you to support the local businesses you feel passionate about. Pay them an extra visit a week, order a delivery and simply come by for a drink and a chat. After all, you are not only supporting businesses you like, but you support local economy and jobs.  

Next time you come across their new special or an event, share it with your friends. This is the best marketing for this local place and doesn’t cost you a thing. After sharing, invite your friends to hang out too. 

As a person who cares about nutrition, community and vibes, I would hate to see more big-name junk food places and fewer of the independent, passionate establishments. 

The Hard Truth: You’re Voting With Your Wallet Every Day

And yes, I know – the prices are going up, ingredients are becoming more expensive, and our budgets are tighter. But what do you suggest? We vote every day with our money, and you, partially, decide who lives on our streets and who closes its doors.