Whining and dining
As if pubs needed telling, the myth of stoic customers eating leathery steaks and half-frozen lasagnes without a word of complaint is just that - a myth.
New research shows that three quarters of consumers have complained when eating out over the past year. Their top gripes include waiting too long for a meal to arrive, wrong otders, poor service and lukewarm food. Just 23 per cent said they jad found no reason to complain.
The research was carried out by TNS for food supplier Woodward Foodservice, and will form part of Woodward's annual FoodStyle report.
When asked about the situations that have annoyed people enough to complain when eating out over the past year:
- 40% waited over an hour for their meal
- 35% were given the incorrect food order
- 31% complained about poor service from waiting staff
- 31% said their food that wasn't hot enough
Ed Hyslop, chief executive of Woodward Foodservice, said: "Our expectation levels have risen in line with the frequency of our trips to the local pub or restaurant. We expect good service and quality food, served on time.
"The vast majority of caterers get it right - otherwise the growth in out of home dining wouldn't be happening. But our research shows that us Brits are more vocal than once thought and we regularly complain."
Complaints about frustrations in the last year
- Waiting over an hour for your meal - 40%
- Food order is incorrect - 35%
- Poor and ignorant service by waiting staff - 31%
- Food is not served hot enough - 31%
- Food not served at the same time as the rest of the party - 14%
- Meal is not as described on the menu - 14%
