According to Foodallergy.org an estimated 32 million Americans have one or more food allergies. Reactions to food allergies range from mild sensitivities to life-threatening situations that make this information on your menu “have to know” for these customers.
With accurate allergen information for your menus, you will benefit by:
- Assisting staff in answering customer questions correctly, limiting your risk and liability. Most food service staff are not adequately prepared to provide trustworthy information. If a parent asks a team member if an item contains peanuts because their child has a serious nut allergy, having the data documented is much better than relying on the team to offer “what they think” is correct.
- Make customers with food allergies more confident in eating with you. Customers with food allergies HAVE TO KNOW whether the foods you serve them are safe for them to eat. They will gravitate away from doubt and to restaurants they can trust to serve them safely.
- Avoid the veto factor. If someone in the group has food allergies, they can keep the whole group from patronizing your restaurant if they are not confident they can eat safely at your establishment. Since food safety is vitally important to allergen-avoidant consumers, about two-thirds are loyal to certain products that they trust. By giving the guest the information they need to eat safely, you can gain customers and increase return visits to your establishment.
- It’s expected in today’s “information on demand” society. Just as consumers want all of the information about a product they are viewing on Amazon to have complete descriptions and information, they want to know what’s in the foods they consume. Not having this information available creates a lower perception of your restaurant.
- Franchisees look for turn-key solutions to customer needs. As you develop your franchising roll out plan, make sure you have addressed this area to strengthen the value of your brand and concept.