According to a Market Force survey, a customer experience management firm based in Boulder, Colo., one in four consumers plans to eat out more in the coming months and they are driven to brands showcasing strong customer service elements. The survey, which was conducted in May and June and is based on results from 5,000 of the firm’s 300,000 independent mystery shoppers, found that 8 percent of respondents said they planned to cut back on restaurant spending. Just six months ago, a similar survey from the same firm found that half of the respondents said they would eat out less.

As consumers plan to eat out more, the way to entice guests is to take care of the essential customer service elements, Market Force said. Of the consumers polled in the latest survey, 52 percent said they eat at casual- or family-dining restaurants just to have time with family and friends, and 37 percent cited celebrating special occasions as a reason to visit.

Convenience also plays into dining decisions, as 41 percent of respondents said they eat at casual and family chains when they are too tired to cook, and 23 percent said they go when they’re pressed for time. But 38 percent said a key reason for dining out is because they want a great-tasting meal, meaning food quality can’t be ignored, Market Force said.

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