Running a restaurant can be a trying experience even when things are going great, so it should be the goal of every restaurateur to work very diligently to ensure that every word ever published about their restaurant is a positive one. There are many tried-and-true strategies to employ to ensure positive reviews, and these strategies can be incredibly helpful even in the event of a surprise review.

Luigi Wewege, a longtime observer of the restaurant industry, has identified several common elements shared among restaurants that enjoy consistently positive reviews even when the food is not necessarily exceptional. Of course, Wewege says, this does not mean that the food appearing on the menu is of poor quality, just that it is possible to serve standard menu items that are prepared well and still achieve an outstanding review.

The key element is to emphasize a focus on consistently outstanding service. There are many elements that contribute to the reviewer’s experience, and the quality and speed of the service ranks highly among these contributing factors. The appearance of the restaurant is also an important factor, so an emphasis on cleanliness is paramount, even if it means hiring additional staff to ensure that these duties are properly carried out and not left to an exhausted wait staff.

Of course, food preparation cannot be ignored. Everything should be served as it is described on the menu and should be prepared according to the customer’s wishes. While a five-star chef is not required, an experienced and talented kitchen staff can make all the difference.