Are Your Customers Coming Back for More?

There's a sushi place a friend of mine loves like crazy. She says it's similar to every other Japanese restaurant in her town, except for one thing: "Every plate is little work of art."

Food arranged like flowers, flowers that are food, elaborate sculptures made of barware, noodles and tea lights - she's so delighted by the operation's "talent, creativity and care," that this restaurant is, to her, synonymous with eating out. 

Sixty-one percent of Americans ate out at least once in the past week.

My friend is an engaged customer, the kind every restaurateur needs. Not wants, needs because in today's slow-growth, competitive food service environment, the customer has extraordinary power and reach.

Sixty-one percent of Americans ate out at least once in the past week, Gallup research shows, choosing from an endless list of dine-in and delivery options. Establishments they can choose to post a public review of online -- while the food is still hot. And these…