It’s not about the food. It’s never about the food.

You probably already know this from McDonalds. But it’s not about the food.

Last night, the lovely Mel and I thought we’d take the kids out for dinner. We had a chat to the kids and they were very excited. We went to a local restaurant called the “Nine Pines”.

Simple restaurant that does of good job of providing good meals at a decent price. Here’s what we ordered:

1. Harry – 9 yo. Sausages and chips.
2. Jack – 11 yo. Steak.
3. Laura – 13 yo. Grilled fish.
4. Mel – if you think I’m about to reveal my wife’s age you are a crazy person! Steak.
5. Brendon – 37 yo. Grilled fish.

The kids had soft drinks, Mel had a soft drink and I had an OJ.

That’s pretty much what we would have had for dinner if we didn’t decide to go out

The food was lovely. But the food we cook at home is comparable.

We’re not there for the food (well we are, but that’s not the choice influence). We were there so we could get out of the house, relax, have someone else do the washing up and so on.

It’s about the experience

People want an experience. You need to differentiate the experience you provide them so that they have another reason to pick you.

Let’s say the food was ordinary last night. Probably wouldn’t matter too much. presentation of the food is important, as is the friendliness of the waitress, as is the speed of the delivery of the drinks, as is the lighting, as is the quality of the knife and fork, as is the cleanliness of the bathroom.

It’s all part of the experience. It’s all part of the branding of that business. It’s all part of that business.