Transforming Guest Experience With Foodini at Munster Restaurant Group
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Munster Restaurant Group
Business
Full service casual restaurants
Location
Chicago
Member
Martin Cournane (Owner)
Introduction
Martin Cournane, owner of the Munster Restaurant Group which has included concepts such as Lady Gregorys; Wilde; LGs and Birdcage, has been a Foodini partner since the start of 2024.
Known for pioneering concepts in the restaurant and nightlife industry, Munster Restaurant Group has established a portfolio of award-winning venues. Martin oversees all operations, ensuring seamless consistency, efficiency, and culinary excellence across all venues.
Challenges
Before integrating Foodini, Munster Restaurant Group faced several operational challenges:
- All dietary questions were managed verbally bogging down the waitstaff and taking the chef off the line to answer questions
- Inconsistent answers and mistakes caused by a rotating staff led to a frustrating, and unsafe customer experience, missing the opportunity to win over loyal customers
- No documentation of ingredient level data meant a long learning curve for new staff, and a high risk of a mistake
Results
The introduction of Foodini brought an innovative and consistent customer experience that streamlined operations and delighted guests
Increased Revenue
The ability to put this information in the guests hands and reliability tell consumers what they can eat established Lady Gregory’s as a safe place to eat, increasing revenue over the next 6 months.
“We have had a dedicated GF menu for many years, and have seen the impact this has had on revenue given how loyal that customer cohort is. Since we started using Foodini - there has been a really positive response from customers who are delighted to see how many additional diets and allergens we accommodate. They always thank us for making it easy for them to order, and most importantly, we have seen an uptick in customer retention, with Foodini helping drive more repeat visits from guests who know they can dine here safely”
Reduction in Questions to The Staff
Munster Restaurant Group has seen a 60% decrease in the number of questions posed to staff since implementing Foodini. We have also received positive feedback from the staff who feel more empowered in the information they provide to customers.
“Something I was not expecting was how much this tool helped the staff. We have seen a dramatic drop off on the amount of questions they are being asked - approx 60% less - and when they are asked questions, they proudly point guests to the QR code, knowing guests prefer and trust the personalized menus through Foodini. Additionally, our chefs have been saying that the front of house are coming down to the kitchen far less with questions, enabling them to execute on their job without being distracted - this was an added benefit that had not been foreseen.”
No Mistakes
Having a single source of truth for ingredient and allergen information has resulted in zero mistakes since Foodini has been implemented, increasing overall guest satisfaction.
“We have always been very conscious of people with allergies and doing everything we can to reduce the risk. However inevitably, due to human error in various different ways, we have had various incidents over the years. Since implementing Foodini and having a single source of truth to refer to, we have not had a single incident.”
Unique Customer Insights
Gathering unique insights into customers dietary needs and preferences has enabled Munster Group to optimize their menu based on real data from their own consumers, resulting in increased sales.
“Seeing the data on the exact breakdown of our customers' dietary needs has helped us understand where we have gaps, and what menu items can be tweaked to make them more inclusive. We always knew there was a big gluten free community in Chicago, but we were surprised to learn we had a large plant based and dairy free customer base as well. We added more of those items and immediately saw a boost in sales”
Conclusion
The adoption of Foodini at Munster Restaurant Group has transformed operations, bringing efficiency and consistency – as well as driving incremental revenue and loyalty. Martin Cournane’s experience highlights the significant impact of a personalized menu solution to meet the needs of today’s consumers.